[Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] Fraud Issue: Check Your Bank Account Running Balance

[Robert Primak]

 My experience (except the possible online origin of the fraud) would not have been impacted by using credit vs. debit.
The point I'm making is, if ANY payment method is declined at a store, that does not necessarily mean your bank or card issuer will not honor the charge. You need to make sure your bank knows you paid using another method and therefore the charge is in error. 
Things get murkier if you use payments apps or digital wallets. Proving that a payment is in error or that it went to the wrong party can get tricky in these cases. Some of my doctors and my landlord require using payment apps. This infuriates me, due to the inherent insecurity of such apps. 
-- Bob Primak 

    On Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 08:06:26 AM EST, Joel Shwimer via LCTG <lctg at lists.toku.us> wrote:  
 
  
Another clear take-away is do NOT use a DEBIT card.  This was the advice provided in a lecture I attended years ago by Frank Abagnale Jr. who was the subject of the movie "Catch me if you can" and is now a consultant to the FBI on security matters.
 
Joel
 
 On 11/21/2024 6:23 AM, Drew King (dking65--- via LCTG wrote:
  
 
Very good advice.
 
 If you get declined at a point of sale the first thing you should do is call the phone number on the back of your card and inquire with the bank. Let them know that you went to the supermarket and the transaction was declined and you paid cash so that you have it on record possibly even recorded.
 
 Several years ago I was starting a new job and made some purchases that were not typical in preparation for my new job and my bank eventually questioned the transactions because they saw a lot more activity than normal.
 It was all regular shopping to buy things I needed and also go on vacation and so I was spending money on airfare and food and clothing and entertainment  I wouldn't normally do.
 
 
  
 
  On November 21, 2024 6:05:41 AM EST, Robert Primak via LCTG <lctg at lists.toku.us> wrote: 
    My ATM/Debit MasterCard was involved in a fraudulent charge attempt. The Bank froze the Debit Card immediately when the suspicious activity happened. Hours later, not having checked my phone messages, I tried to make a food purchase at an automatic self-checkout POS terminal using the same card. Here's what happened. 
  The Star Market POS system at Self-Checkoout and the Registers declined my Card, as they should have. (I eventually ended up paying cash for the purchase.) But the Star Market charges still showed up in the Bank Ledger as valid, even though my Card was frozen at the time the Card was declined by the Star Market POS System. This should have been programmatically impossible! 
  Take-home lesson: If you ever experience a freeze on a credit or debit card due to suspected fraud, DO NOT rely on store POS systems which appear to have "declined" the card not to reinstate the charges. As soon as you learn of the issue, go to your bank or use their online banking app or web site, and CHECK THE RUNNING (Ledger) BALANCE! If anything suspicious is processing or has been recorded as processed, NOTIFY YOUR BANK ASAP.  
  I appear to have been successful at getting the Star Market system error(s) removed from my bank account charges. But this is not always guaranteed.  
  -- Bob Primak  
  
   
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