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Old 02-16-2006, 11:02 PM   #1
chelseafc05
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thought this might be useful to some...

Credit Card Fraud

THIS IS VERY VALUABLE INFORMATION

Be sure to read 'Scene 3'

SCENE 1.

This is a new one. People sure stay busy trying to cheat us, don't
they??

A friend went to the local gym and placed his belongings in the
locker. After the workout and a shower, he came out, saw the locker
open, and thought to himself, "Funny, I thought I locked the locker.
Hmmmmm." He dressed and just flipped the wallet to make sure all was
in order. Everything looked okay - all cards were in place. A few
weeks later his credit card bill came - a whooping bill of $14,000!
He called the credit card company and started yelling at them, saying
that he did not make the transactions. Customer care personnel
verified that there was no mistake in the system and asked if his
card had been stolen.

"No," he said, but then took out his wallet, pulled out the credit
card, and yep - you guessed it - a switch had been made. An expired
similar credit card from the same bank was in the wallet. The thief
broke into his locker at the gym and switched cards.

Verdict: The credit card issuer said since he did not report the card
missing earlier, he would have to pay the amount owed to them. How
much Did he have to pay for items he did not buy? $9,000! Why were
there no calls made to verify the amount swiped? Small amounts rarely
trigger a "warning bell" with some credit card companies. It just so
happens that all the small amounts added up to big one!

SCENE 2.

A man at a local restaurant paid for his meal with his credit card.
The bill for the meal came, he signed it, and the waitress folded The
receipt and passed the credit card along. Usually, he would just
take it and place it in his wallet or pocket.
Funny enough, though, he actually took a look at the card and, lo and
behold, it was the expired card of another person.
He called the waitress and she looked perplexed. She took it back,
apologized, and hurried back to the counter under
the watchful eye of the man. All the waitress did while walking to
the counter was wave the wrong expired card to the
counter cashier, and the counter cashier immediately looked down and
took out the real card.

No exchange of words --- nothing!

She took it and came back to the man with an apology.

Verdict: Make sure the credit cards in your wallet at yours. Check
the Name on the card every time you sign for something
and/or the card is taken away for even a short period of time. Many
people just take back the credit card without even looking at it,
"assuming" that it has to be theirs.

FOR YOUR OWN SAKE, DEVELOP THE HABIT OF CHECKING YOUR
CREDIT CARD EACH TIME IT IS RETURNED TO YOU AFTER A
TRANSACTION!

SCENE 3:

Yesterday I went into a pizza restaurant to pick up an order that I
had called in.
I paid by using my Visa Check Card which, of course, is linked
directly to my checking account.
The young man behind the counter took my card, swiped it, then laid
it on the counter as he waited for the approval, which is pretty
standard procedure.

While he waited, he picked up his cell phone and started dialing.

I noticed the phone because it is the same model I have, but nothing
seemed out of the ordinary. Then I heard a click that sounded like my
phone sounds when I take a picture. He then gave me back my card but
kept the phone in his hand as if he
was still pressing buttons.

Meanwhile, I'm thinking: I wonder what he is taking a picture of,
oblivious to what was really going on. It then dawned on me: the
only thing there was my credit card, so now I'm paying close
attention to what he is doing.

He set his phone on the counter, leaving it open. About five seconds
later, I heard the chime that tells you that the picture has
been saved.

Now I'm standing there struggling with the fact that this boy just
took a picture of my credit card. Yes, he played it off well,
because had we not had the same kind of phone, I probably would never
have known what happened. Needless to say, I immediately canceled
that card as I was walking out of the pizza parlor.

All I am saying is, be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Whenever you are using your credit cards, take caution and don't be
careless. Notice who is standing near you and what they are doing
when you use your card. Be aware of phones because many have a
camera phone these days. When you are in a restaurant and the
waiter/waitress brings your card and receipt for you to sign, make
sure you scratch the number off. Some restaurants are using only the
last four digits, but a lot of them are still putting the whole thing
on there. I have already been a victim of credit card fraud and,
believe me, it is not fun.

The truth is that they still get you even when you are careful, but
don't make it easy for them.


ps
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Old 02-17-2006, 01:08 AM   #2
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Good stuff - there are so many credit card scams out there, it's ridiculous.

I've had a good handful of bad/fraudulent charges in several countries now, so I try my best to make sure everything's on the up-and-up... I also make sure I destroy my credit card slips - or keep them 'til I get home. In many countries, your whole CC# shows up on the receipt/slip, instead of the last 4 digits!
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Old 02-17-2006, 08:01 AM   #3
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Thanks for the tips ! Now, where are the scammers ? :greenguy:
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Old 02-17-2006, 10:19 AM   #4
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Its always a good idea to pay very close attention to your credit cards. Thanks for the heads up Daniel.

I haven't used my card once since I have been here...all the scams makes me a little weary.
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Old 02-17-2006, 01:53 PM   #5
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Thanks for the advice, Daniel.

Scene 1. I would have called the cops.
Scene 2. I would have called the cops.
Scene 3. I would have called the cops, but made sure the phone wasn't touched by him again.
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Old 02-21-2006, 09:07 AM   #6
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Yeah I never thought of what's up with all those camera phones. I'm way to trusting with my credit cards...but it's probably 'cause they are always maxed out so if someone stole them they might 5 bucks on them before they are declined. LOL.

Great tips though, some nasty people out there.

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