Credit Card Fraud
That’s what’s on my mind today.
As in it has happened to me.
Actually, this is the second time this year (once in the U.S. and once here in France) and both had similar aspects which I should learn from. And you too, as well, after I share them with you.
credit-card-fraud
I found a 98 Euro charge I didn’t recognize on my HSBC card today. I called HSBC and they told me that there were several others that were declined and there were yet others there that been charged that hadn’t yet had time to make it to my account transactions listing on-line. Yow!
The card was cancelled ASAP and I’ll have to go through some hassles to get refunded; but I will in the end. After I go to the police station here in Paris and file a report, then I’m to send that into HSBC.
The bank folks tell me that this sort of thing can happen when you pay with you card and you let them carry the card off away from your sight to ring up the bill and bring you a receipt.
They are not charging you extra in the back room. They are writing down your C/C number *and* the three digit code on the back. Because, often, they can make purchases over the Internet with just these bits of information.
So, the moral of the story is never let them carry your card away. Have them bring the swipe machine to you or follow them to where it is. Watch that no one copies the three digit code on the back.
I’m a wiser man now.
-dennis