Credit card companies must have good algorithms. I got a call today shortly after 4PM. Visa asked if I’d made any charges at various places they mentioned. I said no. My last charge was for a dinner last night.

Apparently someone “cloned” my card and was using it in Montreal starting at 4PM at various places… I’m guessing the crooks must have made a couple of charges too close together or something, because I “could” have been in Montreal today and I “do” travel a lot and I’ve been in Montreal on many occasions.

That card is no longer valid. I hope they catch the crooks...

Yup, they do. As a note, anytime you are planning on travelling, let them know first. It avoids any potential problems.

...anytime you are planning on travelling...I typically travel about 70-100 days a year on business and another 30+ days of personal travel, both all over the world. I don't think that'd work for me, but thanks for the tip.

I'm very careful with my card, etc.

- rarely use on the web, only use on secure sites.
- never fax
- store or shred statements (shredding done at work, statements at home)

Paranoia? obviously not... ;)

They have various "levels" of security algorithms they can use. If it's set too sensitive, it causes problems for frequent travellers like me in that the card will be "denied" if you go to a new location and use it a lot, etc. I asked them to use the "least sensitive" setting due to this, but it appears the algorithm still works well.

They should have a pretty good "pattern" of my travels now - basically anywhere, anytime, with lots of expenditures.... ;) These crooks must have been doing something "wrong"...

Why never fax the number? I assumed it would be much more secure than emailing.

This happened to me as well. VISA called me and asked me if I bought $800 worth of subs at a Subway and $500 worth of gas at an Esso along the 401 near Belleville.

On interesting thing the VISA guy told me was that the believe the vendors are working with the criminals (ie. they didn't really buy $800 worth of subs, the vendor just charged it to the account). As long as they have an authorization #, they will get paid.

On interesting thing the VISA guy told me was that the believe the vendors are working with the criminals (ie. they didn't really buy $800 worth of subs, the vendor just charged it to the account). As long as they have an authorization #, they will get paid.

That is interesting...

Never heard of that one before. I mean I've heard of vendors allowing criminals to hack their swiping machines to allow cloning, but not actually charging for "fake" goods or services.

Why never fax the number? I assumed it would be much more secure than emailing.

you send your card number by e-mail... That's a REAL BIG NO NO

While we're on the topic of Credit Cards, Canada is moving towards the EMV Chip & PIN system for both credit and Interac debit cards. Both credit and debit cards will have a smart card chip, and a PIN number will be used for credit card transactions instead of signing the receipt. (Since we already use PIN for debit, it shouldn't be such a drastic change).

http://www.visa.ca/chip/
http://www.interac.ca/en_n2_42_movingtochip.html

I sometimes wonder if the credit card company can calculate your average speed as you drive (for example) from Halifax to Toronto.

"Sir your card has been declined because you bought gas in Truro, NS only two hours and ten minutes ago. First of all - you can't possibly be here for another hour and a half, and second - nobody can burn that much gas that fast."

;-)

"...credit and debit cards will have a smart card chip..."

Yeah, and smart cards have never been hacked before, right?
<rolls eyes>

Insert normal discussion here to save time:
"Yeah, but not everyone is capable of hacking smart cards."
It only takes one and he puts the info on the Internet.
Blah blah blah...

"...credit and debit cards will have a smart card chip..."

Yeah, and smart cards have never been hacked before, right?
<rolls eyes>


so you are saying a black magnetic strip is more secure then an encrypted chip that needs a pin number?

When I was talking to Visa, the charges were not "huge" (out of line). The gas charge was "normal" and there was a hardware store charge of something like $150.

Never, ever, send credit card numbers by e-mail. All e-mail correspondence should be considered like sending a post card. Anyone can read it.

Interestingly, on Friday there was a flyer in the Globe for Toronto Life magazine. You could subscribe by credit card and return the postage paid card, but the back of the card was open, so I didn't send it... I could have put the card in an envelope, but then I would have needed to pay postage - no big deal, but why encourage people to send credit card numbers openly?

VISA has called me to ask such questions as well. I had used my CC for a phone call ealier in the day (I thought it would be long distance, it wasn't).

They called to make sure it was me. Thevies like to "test" CC's at pay phones to see if they work, a simialr thing happend to my sister who had a infrequently used CC stolen form her purse @ work. They locked the card after they saw a pre-auth for a phone and then a couple fo very large purchaces.

I have also had my bank null my Debit Card, I had tried to use it and the machine reported "card use limited". I called the bak and all they would say was that the branch had reported it stolen. When I went into the branch they expalined that I had used my debit card somewhere that was caught skimming numbers, the automaticaly froze all cards that had been used there even though they were not sure my was skimmed. It was a great precautionary measure. Though I did have to go to the branch for a new card.

I go ALWAYS protect my pin as best I can, just incase a camera is watching.

57:
Maybe they will call you on your next electronics purchase and
tell you if you could have got it cheaper somewhere else.;)

I have one of those "premium" cards and if I'm paying too much, the transaction doesn't go through. ;)

It also asks if I want the extended warranty with that? ;) No, wait, premium cards sometimes give you extended warranties...

I have a Visa card with a laughably low credit limit. I first got it about 15 years ago while I was still a student, and they've never once been willing to raise the limit (I long ago gave up trying, but Visa issued me a Gold card with an obscenely high limit last year - same bank - go figure!).

I always use this particular card for internet and other "insecure" purchases, and have had only one minor problem in all that time. I always feel better knowing that crooks can't get more than a couple hundred dollars from hacking my card.

I have a Visa card with a laughably low credit limit. I first got it about 15 years ago while I was still a student, and they've never once been willing to raise the limit (I long ago gave up trying, but Visa issued me a Gold card with an obscenely high limit last year - same bank - go figure!).



I did the same thing... only one card, and a low limit... Then on a trip to Florida, my card got cloned on the drive down. Visa Security said it was probably at a Gas Station. Apparently 90% of clones are done at Gas Stations.

Visa was great! Somebody was using my card to have items delivered to the Phillipines. I caught it after about $800, but Visa had already left me a message at home.

They sent me a new card overnight, and all was well.

Apparently 90% of clones are done at Gas Stations.
That's why I only get gas at stations that allow you to pay at the pump.

I do not use those key fob payment things either - they are insecure.

Wow, a whole thread on DHC with people complimenting the banks on a job well done.

What next, a "gee the CRTC is doing a really great job thread"?


BTW, I think the credit card companies really do a great job in this respect. I'm careful about my card but I too have had some phone calls.

In one case, they phoned and said that someone was spending large amounts on clothing in the local mall that was way out of line. I explained that was my wife!

In one case, they phoned and said that someone was spending large amounts on clothing in the local mall that was way out of line. I explained that was my wife!


LOL

I've had the call once from them. A very long time ago. I almost buy everything on CC to get points so it is not unusual to see lots of spending all over the place for me.