BajaNomad

Credit Card Fraud

TMW - 7-5-2008 at 09:26 AM

I got a call from Bank of America today saying my BofA card had been used for a purchase for $211.39 today July 5th at a grocery store. It was an automated voice. Thinking it may be some scam I hung up and call the 800 number on the card and sure enough it had been used in Monterrey, Mexico this morning at a grocery store. They cancelled the card and are sending me a new one.

I used my card in Ensenada the first of June at the America Best Value Inn, formerly the Travel Lodge. Maybe I'm rushing to judge and it could have been someone here in Bakersfield on vacation.

rpleger - 7-5-2008 at 09:30 AM

Hmmmmmm....

I don't use my credit cards in Mexico, EVER

BajaGringo - 7-5-2008 at 11:33 AM

Credit card fraud today is so widespread it is often difficult to know where your info was taken. Today thieves can access sites online where they buy, share and trade such data to be used in other parts of the world.

I was victim of such fraud and they finally traced my card data to a website in Russia and it was used for unauthorized charges in Belgium, France and New York.

Price - 7-5-2008 at 01:27 PM

In San Felipe a few days ago there was a warning that bank accounts were being emptied thru the ATMs - today they said the 2 banks were safe - the problems were at AM/PM etc - mainly with citibank cards - they also said citibank had taken care of the problem - :rolleyes::rolleyes:

toneart - 7-5-2008 at 01:39 PM

Last year my American Express Credit Card was used for fraudulent charges in France. They notified me, inquiring if these were my charges, which they were not. The card was canceled immediately and I was not held responsible. I have no idea how they obtained my card number and were able to use it.

Also last year, Bank of America notified me that "unusual activity" was detected on my B of A Visa card. In this case it was me using my card in Baja. It really wasn't that "unusual" because I have used it in Baja for years, but this was the first time for using it last year.

I am happy that the banks are watching and looking out for our welfare.

As stated here by other Nomads, it is advisable to notify your bank if you are planning to use your cards in Baja, or anywhere out of the country.

Barry A. - 7-5-2008 at 01:45 PM

Tony------I agree totally, and have had the same experiences and do the "notification" thing, also.

I am getting more and more distressed, tho, as these reports keep coming in-------I am even getting a little (more?) paranoid.

I have cancelled all my "cards" except those absolutely necessary (2 mastercards, and one visa) and am trying to be really careful where I use them----but it is a crap-shoot.

Barry

Barry-- use your online ability

beercan - 7-5-2008 at 01:59 PM

My Visa was done in last fall after a visit to Chiuachua. Since then I check each card on line several times --weekly.

Barry A. - 7-5-2008 at 02:01 PM

Beercan------Why didn't I think of that :lol::lol:

Actually that is excellent advice, and I really had not considered that angle-----dumb, dumb!!! You are very right.

barry

toneart - 7-5-2008 at 02:02 PM

It is only a matter of time before someone gets ahold of your date of birth and s.s.#

I get very angry when utility companies require your social security number to open an account; specifically Suburban Propane, DirecTV and Comcast Cable. Your s.s# should never be given out, just to lie around in a file vulnerable for some office worker to steal. The only option is to pay $100.00 deposit.

I am old enough to have the words "not to be used for ID purposes" printed right at the bottom of my Social Security card.:fire:

BajaGringo - 7-5-2008 at 02:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by beercan
My Visa was done in last fall after a visit to Chiuachua. Since then I check each card on line several times --weekly.


That is your best safeguard...

Barry A. - 7-5-2008 at 02:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by toneart
It is only a matter of time before someone gets ahold of your date of birth and s.s.#

I get very angry when utility companies require your social security number to open an account; specifically Suburban Propane, DirecTV and Comcast Cable. Your s.s# should never be given out, just to lie around in a file vulnerable for some office worker to steal. The only option is to pay $100.00 deposit.

I am old enough to have the words "not to be used for ID purposes" printed right at the bottom of my Social Security card.:fire:


Tony------We have a "credit freeze" with all three credit bureaus which is supposed to keep anybody from applying for credit using our personal information-----cost us $30 bucks ($10 each company) but it is worth it. For us to acquire credit we have to use a special pin #, as my wife explains it to me-------I don't really understand quite how it works but she assures me that "it does".

Barry

bacquito - 7-5-2008 at 02:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by beercan
My Visa was done in last fall after a visit to Chiuachua. Since then I check each card on line several times --weekly.


Yep, the best way to handle the matter. I have received calls from BofA more than once about use of their card in Mexico. We are building in Ensenada and so all was legit. But I do appreciate BofA notifying me. I agree with BarryA-the less cards the better of one is.

JaraHurd - 7-5-2008 at 02:24 PM

All identity thieves need is your name, DOB and SSN. Your mother's maiden name woudl be the nail in the coffin, so to speak. It is amazing how many Nomads have their DOBs on their profiles on this website. I have to assume these are not correct....i hope they are not.

There are many ways to steal your identity and create fake accounts in your name. There are also many ways to duplicate your current credit accounts. Beware of the skimmers that swipe your cards are swiped into. Recent fraud activity was found at a local gas station here stateside where a criminal's skimmer was placed ON TOP of a legitimate skimmer at the gas pump. Your card info was read by both the criminal and the gas company. Later, the criminal simply detached the skimmer from on top of the legit one. I will stop now as I am probably giving too much info...but...I try to use cash (even in MExico...) as much as possible. I have not been burned yet at major hotels but I am sure my number will come up sooner or later.

I say again...remove your DOBs from your Nomad profiles if they are your real birthdays!! ... Jon...

JaraHurd - 7-5-2008 at 02:28 PM

Oh..and don't forget to thank cashiers who ask for your ID to verify that the credit card you present for the purchase in actually yours. Why would this annoy anyone? But it does..amazing..they are just trying to help....

fulano - 7-5-2008 at 04:07 PM

In Mexico the credit card racketeers are called "tarjeteros". It's a very large criminal business and well organized. The authorities are always capturing these guys with, 50, 75 even 100 fake credit cards in their possession.

It usually starts when you swipe your card in any legitimate business. The "tarjeteros" pay-off store clerks for the data. There are all sorts of scams. Sometimes, when you are not looking, the clerk will take a photo, front and back of your card with his cellphone. Once they get the data off the front and the little 3-digit number off the back, they create a duplicate card with their own equipment.

Have you ever been to a restaurant in Mexico, or even in the US, where you leave your credit card on top of the check and the waiter takes it away and then returns with a charge slip for you to sign? Guess what may have been happening while the card was out of your sight.

[Edited on 7-5-2008 by fulano]

bancoduo - 7-5-2008 at 04:11 PM

How do they get the info off the magnetic strip.

fulano - 7-5-2008 at 04:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bancoduo
How do they get the info off the magnetic strip.


When you swipe your credit card at a store, the data is not being sent real time to the credit card company. It goes into the local server at the business, where the card information is saved and batched with other credit card sales. It is usually uploaded only once per day to the credit card processing company. The info still remains on the server of the business where you swiped the card.

If you are in one of those remote places where they still use a paper charge plate, the store retains an imprint of your card info.

JaraHurd - 7-5-2008 at 04:21 PM

The cards are "skimmed" or "read" by a skimmer or reader. The information is stored. The theives then take a blank or used magnetic card and reprograms it. Thieves think of this stuff in their "spare" (which is about 24 hours a day) time.

If you really want to see how vulnerable you really are, google "lock bumping"..... It is true and it is out there....and the dopers know it... I upgraded my locks soon after debriefing a few burglars a few years ago....

thanks jarahurd

sylens - 7-5-2008 at 05:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JaraHurd
All identity thieves need is your name, DOB and SSN. Your mother's maiden name woudl be the nail in the coffin, so to speak. It is amazing how many Nomads have their DOBs on their profiles on this website. I have to assume these are not correct....i hope they are not.

There are many ways to steal your identity and create fake accounts in your name. There are also many ways to duplicate your current credit accounts. Beware of the skimmers that swipe your cards are swiped into. Recent fraud activity was found at a local gas station here stateside where a criminal's skimmer was placed ON TOP of a legitimate skimmer at the gas pump. Your card info was read by both the criminal and the gas company. Later, the criminal simply detached the skimmer from on top of the legit one. I will stop now as I am probably giving too much info...but...I try to use cash (even in MExico...) as much as possible. I have not been burned yet at major hotels but I am sure my number will come up sooner or later.

I say again...remove your DOBs from your Nomad profiles if they are your real birthdays!! ... Jon...


i just changed mine. naive is my middle name.

Barry A. - 7-5-2008 at 06:45 PM

Don't pay attention to the rest of this----------I actually figured it out on my own (miracles of miracles) :light:

Sylens------I must be your first cousin because I use the same middle name as you------I just went into my "profile" and tried to delete my dob (which ain't accurate anyway) but I could not figure out how to do it--------:?:

-----how do you "edit" the profile? :?:

barry

[Edited on 7-6-2008 by Barry A.]

Diver - 7-5-2008 at 07:57 PM

Hit "control Panel" then "edit profile".

woody with a view - 7-5-2008 at 08:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JaraHurd
Oh..and don't forget to thank cashiers who ask for your ID to verify that the credit card you present for the purchase in actually yours. Why would this annoy anyone? But it does..amazing..they are just trying to help....


instead of signing the back of my credit card i put the words "CHECK I.D." in black marker. funny thing is as many cashiers ask for my ID as don't. :?:

[Edited on 7-6-2008 by woody in ob]

Skeet/Loreto - 7-6-2008 at 10:34 AM

Glad to see this on the Board:

My wife and I got Scamed Last year at a Holiday Express Inn>

Works: Clerk is a Thief with one of those illegal card swipers in the Back room. She says her machine will not work, steps back out of site swipes the card where the infomation can be used in 13 seconds anywhere in the World.

Does anyone know the going price for the "Illegal Card Machine"" ???

Skeet/Loreto

JaraHurd - 7-6-2008 at 10:49 AM

Nope...don't know. But you can only be so careful. Carrying too much cash is downright dangerous. My policy is I pay for larger purchases with a credit card (hotels, sometimes meals.)...if they are going to "skim" your credit card, they are going to skim it. They have hand held devices that make it easy. There are a million ways to get ripped off...so you gotta draw the line. I just don't use my debit or credit card to buy a $2 soda..but many people do..I see them in line every day...

sylens - 7-6-2008 at 04:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.


Sylens------I must be your first cousin because I use the same middle name as you
[Edited on 7-6-2008 by Barry A.]


i suspect there are more of us than we like to admit. :lol::lol: