I received an email alert from American Express...questioning a T-Mobile charge on my card. Apparently while in
Florida I purchased a new phone and extended plan. Problem is I haven't been to Florida for over a year.
Do you have your card in your possession? Yes Why? It was swiped in Miami for a new phone and a multi-year plan.Sounds like we caught this one due to it being an out of the ordinary charge, a new card was issued but to be safe check your next bill when you get it.
* SHOCK TIME* Then I got the next bill, Gas, Mickey- D's And something called BuyBuy Baby in New York City were all new charges on my card. Although I love the big city I'm sure I didn't go on a baby shopping 
spree to the tune of $1,100. I'm too old to be a new dad and too young to be a Grandfather (for a long time I hope). Nearly $2,000 worth of unexplained charges showed up. Several trips to the same gas station (on the 
same day) nothing but the best Premium gas for all my friends. The first clue should have been the Premium un-leaded gas 3-times in Time square on the same day, I'm too cheap for premium and If I were in time square I'd let someone else drive, like a taxi.
The crazy thing was my wife's card had some strange charges 
as well...I argued with the Fraud department that Amazon.com , ticket master, and Barnes and Noble didn't appear correct either. It turns out these we all Birthday gifts for me, charged by my wife on our joint account ...with the bill going to me. Thanks Honey, it's the thought that counts...but the bills that add up.
American Express will Credit my account for the items that were not mine...25 years as a member and for the first time I see where membership has it's privileges. Nearly $2,000 worth of charges taken care off with one call. I am not a world traveler, I rarely leave my White Mountain's home state but it is nice to know when you are scammed you can take care of the potential loss with one call. Thanks American Express - I wouldn't leave home with out you, but anything to do with Baby stuff...trust me it ain't mine!!
Your-White Mountain New Hampshire real Estate Expert
steve@alpinelakes.com toll free 800-926-5653 /cell 603-381-7898
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Lincoln NH & Local interest site: www.localism.com/nh/lincoln
Steve: Thank you for sharing! One easy way to help protect your identity is to check your receipts. They are no longer supposed to show your card's account # beyond the last 4 digits or the card's expiration date. If that information appears on your receipt, let the proprieter know that you would like that information to be immediately removed from any merchant copies (blacked out, shredded) and do the same to your copy. It's actually a statutory basis for a lawsuit under federal law if the receipts aren't compliant. Sorry you had to go through that hassle!
Any idea how they got your card info? This is becoming more common and it is a real threat to all of us. That said, I could use a few baby items maybe you could get me a deal at BuyBuy Baby?
And always make sure to write on the back of your card ASK FOR I.D.
This may help in the event your card is lost and used by someone else
Enjoy your day
David...good points I hope my readers , read your comment and will keep this in mind when using a card.
Thanks Steve
Sharon, my card (physically) was not taken, but the account number was used in Florida and New York in a two day period the thieves racked up $2,000 in charges. I have been told point of sale places like Walmart are places people get your account numbers and then go shopping.
Steve, ahhh come on your not ready for the pitter patter of little feet aroung the house. This stuff seems to be getting worse and worse,gotta stay diligent out there...
Hey Steve...I love the pitty patter of the little feet. I know it will only last a few days and then QUIET!
My wife went through something like what you did. Only took her almost 3 years to clear it all up.
It's been years since I had a similar thing happen, only it was quite local. I was shopping in a mall and made a purchase and left (with my card). Turns out the clerk in that store took my number and went and made purchases in another store at the mall. She was arrested. I didn't have any idea until I got my statement and my "proof" so to speak was two transactions were made 3 minutes apart. Hers at the mall (about two hours after she rang up my purchase) and one I made at another store across town. Discover card phoned me about 1 minute after I made my purchase. They contacted mall security and she was actually arrested before she got back from her lunch break. So I've continued to be a loyal discover card holder.
While living in Florida, someone was busy using my AMEX card in Africa...no baby stuff tho', I could have actually used it at the time. Fortunately, I was contacted right away, and it cost me nothing, but lots of people aren't so lucky. Great post and great reminder to all of us to be aware of transactions and to be careful.
You know, every time I comment on your posts, I have to type the graphic "Crabapple"! Is someone trying to tell me something :-)
Tammy, I guess with a group of Realtors this size there is probably plenty of people that have been affected by a scam...but this was the first for me in all the years I've had a card.
Amy, I was very thankful to Amex for catching the first T-mobile charge...and happier still that after seeing the additional charges they took care of my issues, but it is a little weird they didn't pick the Baby Shopping in New York City.
Ah yes - always a nasty feeling when this happens.
At least Amex worked swiftly to clear this up for you !
... PS: If any onesies or diapers show up on your doorstep, please send them to me - I can use 'em in my house :o)
Sheldon...You got it my friend, you can have all the baby stuff you want, my baby will be starting college in another year.
Steve.. Everything to do with credit cards scares me lately. If you use them, they charge you *every which way they can*.. higher interest rates, higher minimum payments.. you name it. I'm glad to hear American Express was there FOR you. Let me guess.. the baby boat has sailed in this lifetime... but NOT the idea of grandchildren... years from now. :)
Steve, back in December I went to gas up at a Shell station and my card was rejected because of the balance. That was strange because Shell is not my main card, and the balance on it is usually low. I had them send me an update statement right away and there were several charges on it to one of their gas stations in town that I rarely stop at because it is on the opposite end of town. I challenged the charges, and put a stop on the card. They looked at my history and saw that it was unusual, and refunded the charges. I can't imagine how some one got my card because it was in my wallet, and I do not throw away the receipts.
steve-I love the protective devices on those cards-there are thieves amongst us!
What a nightmare. Hope it all get figured out.
I was informed that a good way to protect yourself is to write on the back of your ard "Ask for ID" and do not sign the card. Glad it worked out OK for you.
Sorry Steve, my baby needed some new snuggies. JK
I hate credit cards, in fact after paying off all my debt I closed every single one of them, including my beloved AMEX, that was a toughy because it made me feel so significant whenever I whipped it out! Needless to say the strict diet of cash and debit has really made me more aware of how I'm spending. There are no more "I'm having a bad day I need to buy myself something" shopping sprees.
Sorry Steve, my baby needed some new snuggies. JK
I hate credit cards, in fact after paying off all my debt I closed every single one of them, including my beloved AMEX, that was a toughy because it made me feel so significant whenever I whipped it out! Needless to say the strict diet of cash and debit has really made me more aware of how I'm spending. There are no more "I'm having a bad day I need to buy myself something" shopping sprees.
Good tetimonial for American Express...glad you got it straightened out!
George...
The scenario you present... was the same for me, I have a shredder in my office and pay cash for most things, when charges from Florida to New York came up it made me feel violated. Glad to have it under control.
Interesting story. Glad you caught it in time and Kudos to American Express! I actually had something like that recently with a US bank card. It was only a $8 charge but it was from Germany. Luckily we nipped that in the bud real quick!
Steve, I wonder about the merchants when the card isn't present but they rattle off a credit card number and the store thinks that's okay? I almost wonder if the thieves don't have a dummy card that they press the number onto - then at least they could act like the swipe didn't work and the number would have to be keyed in...
Susan, I don't know how the whole thing works...but I would be suspicious of the retailers allowing this type of transaction with no original card...unless the thieves make a dummy card that looks like and amex card.