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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
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Credit Card Fraud
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.
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rpleger
Super Nomad
Posts: 1087
Registered: 3-12-2005
Location: H. Mulegé, BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Was good.
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Hmmmmmm....
I don't use my credit cards in Mexico, EVER
Richard on the Hill
*ABROAD*, adj. At war with savages and idiots. To be a Frenchman abroad is to
be miserable; to be an American abroad is to make others miserable.
-- Ambrose Bierce, _The Enlarged Devil\'s Dictionary_
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
Member Is Offline
Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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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.
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Price
Nomad
Posts: 168
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: Las Vegas/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
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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 - 
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Skeptical
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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.
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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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
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beercan
Senior Nomad
Posts: 670
Registered: 4-3-2005
Location: North of da Bear
Member Is Offline
Mood: happy to be in Baja
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Barry-- use your online ability
My Visa was done in last fall after a visit to Chiuachua. Since then I check each card on line several times --weekly.
* libs, all about choice until you choose different
* B. Hussein Obama - an Empty Suit for Empty Minds.
* Annoy a liberal - Work hard and be happy!
* Arguing facts & truth to libs is like bringing a warm smile to a gun fight.
* Lets win the War on Terror
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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Beercan------Why didn't I think of that 
Actually that is excellent advice, and I really had not considered that angle-----dumb, dumb!!! You are very right.
barry
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Skeptical
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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.
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
Member Is Offline
Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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| 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...
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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| 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. |
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
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bacquito
Super Nomad
Posts: 1615
Registered: 3-6-2007
Member Is Offline
Mood: jubilado
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| 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.
bacquito
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JaraHurd
Nomad
Posts: 203
Registered: 3-21-2007
Location: Los Angeles County
Member Is Offline
Mood: probably annoyed
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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...
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JaraHurd
Nomad
Posts: 203
Registered: 3-21-2007
Location: Los Angeles County
Member Is Offline
Mood: probably annoyed
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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....
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fulano
Banned
Posts: 496
Registered: 3-31-2008
Location: Ramona, CA
Member Is Offline
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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]
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bancoduo
Banned
Posts: 1003
Registered: 10-3-2005
Location: el carcel publico mazatlan sin.
Member Is Offline
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How do they get the info off the magnetic strip.
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fulano
Banned
Posts: 496
Registered: 3-31-2008
Location: Ramona, CA
Member Is Offline
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| 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.
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JaraHurd
Nomad
Posts: 203
Registered: 3-21-2007
Location: Los Angeles County
Member Is Offline
Mood: probably annoyed
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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....
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sylens
Senior Nomad
Posts: 584
Registered: 4-6-2005
Location: Ensenada
Member Is Offline
Mood: ando bajando
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thanks jarahurd
| 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.
lili
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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Don't pay attention to the rest of this----------I actually figured it out on my own (miracles of miracles) 
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.]
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