[Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] Fraud Issue: Check Your Bank Account Running Balance
Mitchell I. Wolfe
mwolfe at vinebrook.com
Thu Nov 21 07:10:11 PST 2024
With credit cards, the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) provides a 60-day
window from the statement date to dispute a charge.
I've had to dispute charges successfully several times, including:
* Someone booked an airline flight from Jordan to Chicago on 9/11.
American Express automatically notified me of potential fraud. I also
reported to the FBI of potentially more nefarious outcomes.
* Charges erroneously appeared on a VISA card for Amazon and other
purchases. I suspected a credit card skimmer leak at a Plymouth MA gas
station. BTW fraudsters often try stolen credit cards at gas stations
given less security for the self-service pumps.
* A vendor mistakenly billed for unsolicited future services. The
vendor did not correct the charges.
* A prepaid VoIP provider closed down. Was able to get credit for the
remaining unused time.
Undoubtedly other LCTG members have experienced similar predicaments...
-- Mitch
On 2024-11-21 08:12, Robert Primak via LCTG wrote:
> 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
>
> --
> Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail.
>
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> --
> Joel Shwimer
> shwimer at tiac.net
> (781) 275-1886
>
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