Credit card fraud

[1imaginarygirl]

Today I received a push notification of a charge to my credit card account. It was $74 at a gas station. Well I was walking my dog at the time, the only vehicle we own was in the garage, and my husband was at work (he walks to work). At first I thought it was odd but maybe it was a delayed charge from over the weekend. Then I thought, well it doesn't cost $74 to fill my gas tank from empty. About an hour later, another charge for a similar amount at a different gas station. Ok, called my credit card company. The automated voice tells me the actual card was present for the first charge, but not for the second charge. It was my husband's card (joint account), so I messaged him and asked if he lost it. Nope, it's in his wallet. They're going to investigate the charges and send a new card.

I assume this happened due to one of those gas pump skimmers. But I don't understand why they would think the credit card was present for the first charge, when it was in my husband's wallet miles away. And why gas stations? If I had stolen someone's credit card information, I think I'd buy something more fun than gas. LoL!

Has anyone had this happen before?

[countrygirl12]

They most likely did not use the card for gas.  I assume they can mask where it looks like the card was used?
I would have called immediately when I got the first message.  I keep my card locked unless I am using it.  But my credit card company is good and if I called and said I did not make this charge they will immediately reverse the charge.

A family member had it happen.  They charged over $8000 on her card before she knew it was happening.  They had the number but not the card.  I am so sick of people it is unreal.  Hope they get it resolved quickly for you.

You should also look into if your credit card company offers the option to lock the card when you are not using it.  Mine is currently unlocked because I have an order from the internet that is in the process of going on the card.  I want to wait until it clears then I will lock it back and pay it off.

[gaylasue]

I haven't had fraudulent use at a gas station but had an instance once when we were traveling out west.  We stopped in Gallup, NM to spend the night.  I used hotel loyalty points for the hotel room but had to give my credit card for any "incidentals" that may occur.  Little did I know, the "incidentals" turned out to be big pizza parties using my credit card.  A huge pizza order was placed online using my card.  Not once but three times.  I discovered it when checking my credit card account after we arrived home.  I contacted the credit card company.  They reversed the charges.  I then contacted the hotel and the local police department.  I never heard back from the PD so I doubt anything was done about it on their end.

[countrygirl12]

I haven't had fraudulent use at a gas station but had an instance once when we were traveling out west.  We stopped in Gallup, NM to spend the night.  I used hotel loyalty points for the hotel room but had to give my credit card for any "incidentals" that may occur.  Little did I know, the "incidentals" turned out to be big pizza parties using my credit card.  A huge pizza order was placed online using my card.  Not once but three times.  I discovered it when checking my credit card account after we arrived home.  I contacted the credit card company.  They reversed the charges.  I then contacted the hotel and the local police department.  I never heard back from the PD so I doubt anything was done about it on their end.

Usually your credit card company will go after the ones who placed the charges.  Unless it is so small they say oh well never mind.

[1imaginarygirl]

They most likely did not use the card for gas.  I assume they can mask where it looks like the card was used?
I would have called immediately when I got the first message.  I keep my card locked unless I am using it.  But my credit card company is good and if I called and said I did not make this charge they will immediately reverse the charge.

A family member had it happen.  They charged over $8000 on her card before she knew it was happening.  They had the number but not the card.  I am so sick of people it is unreal.  Hope they get it resolved quickly for you.

You should also look into if your credit card company offers the option to lock the card when you are not using it.  Mine is currently unlocked because I have an order from the internet that is in the process of going on the card.  I want to wait until it clears then I will lock it back and pay it off.

I would have called after the first charge, but I was waiting to hear back from my husband whether he recognized it or if he had lost his card. We do have the option to lock them, but we both have cards on the same account and use them fairly frequently. I don't want to lock my husband out from using it if and when he needs it. Plus I'd rather someone charge my credit card which can be reversed, rather than my debit card which takes my actual money and risks an overdraft. That's a much bigger pain in the A.

[vickysue]

It seems like it is getting harder and harder to protect ourselves from the scam scammers thieves and such. Every  where you turn you are hearing about them.  And they seem to be getting smarter then ever  staying one jump ahead of the law and so many are from outer  countries.  I won't hardly  answer the phone unless I know  who is calling or if I am expecting a call from a certain perfick. 

[Cbsteffen]

That’s a rather common crime if you ask me!

[jgeigle]

Can you imagine if all the effort that went into developing ways of scamming was put to good use what a better world we would live in.

[potluck6]

Once my husband had 2 charges for gas. He hadn't used the card in months. It was used miles away in the la area. We called and they took the charges off right away. Glad they didn't do anymore.