Internet fraud

[stephen64]

Ive just got a phone call from my bank and someone has gone on a spending spree with my visa,over £1000 has gone missing through internet stores over a 4day period.
Does anyone know how this happens,every time Ive given my number over the internet it has said its secure,what can i do to stop it happening again and will i get my money back.Yours depressed Steve

[Ghel]

Was it a credit card or a debit card?

If it was a regular credit card, file a police report and the absolute most you are out is $50. The Credit card company *can* charge you the fifty dollar fee, but will often waive it.

If it was a debit card, your money is gone. That is why it's a good idea to use only credit cards on-line.

The little padlock icon on the bottom of your internet software will show that the transmission of your credit card info is encrypted, but there are many ways for someone to get your credit card if they are determined to do so. If a company stores your credit information in their servers, a determined person can get to that information depending on what type of firewalls etc. are protecting that companies network. (Of course, it's just as possible for a waiter at a local restuarant to steal your credit card # and expiration date.)

Sorry to hear about the problem, but the bright side is that as long as it was a credit card #, you shouldn't lose too much money. Just report the incident ASAP.

[stephen64]

I live in the Uk and it was a visa card.Thanks

[Ghel]

Doh! I think the above still applies (though I'm not sure what the min fee is), but if you report the incident and check with the credit card company, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that you won't be out too much money.

. . . Maybe I should pay more attention to posts BEFORE I respond http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

[yawningdog]

I recommend American Express. They have a really comprehensive fraud protection program.

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Make everything as simple as possible, but no simpler.

[stephen64]

Cheers for the help,I went to the bank yesterday and they said I should get all the money back

[Bailey]

Does anyone know how this happens,every time Ive given my number over the internet it has said its secure


You may not want to assume that the number was stolen through the online transaction. Credit card numbers are stolen and sold every day in restaurants and shops.

Also, you must know who you are dealing with. The secure transaction lock means little if the person on the receiving end intends to misuse the information.

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"Oooh, They have the
internet on computers now!" - Homer Simpson

[MARKBLACK]

Hi stephen64 glad to see you are going to get your money returned but be more careful next time. There's some right robbers out there they do this instead of work the top guys don't get caught very often, there is a school in this country that helps them get better it called "Prison"
Don't always trust the lock symbol on the their site unless you OK it with you bank because you have been very lucky this time.
if you are going use a card over the net make sure you are covered first
also be like one of the other reply's said you just don't know who is getting their hands on your card details.

.

[This message has been edited by MARKBLACK (edited 06-01-2001).]

[scroatbagg]

If you are using your credit card for internet shopping I would suggest that you use and Egg card. Go to egg.com and sign up, its internet based and its cheaper than most UK credit card companies even though its owned by one of the major banks.