I actually don't use my debit/credit card for online purchases.

 

If I want to buy something that I found online, I buy a prepaid Visa for the amount of the purchase and use it.

 

That may be a little extreme but I just never felt comfortable making online purchases.

This happened to me and my wife also. In Florida, they stopped it on mine but hers went through. Over $400.00. Also in Florida, we have no idea how they got the numbers on both cards different numbers and PIN numbers, we got all new accounts, but its hard to use these things again.

 

#2 son in Rome, we get an Email from him stating he was Robbed at gunpoint and needs us to sent $1,200 to payoff his hotel bills. It was his web address, and sounded like him. I was going nuts when someone called me and said it was a fraud, a very common thing when people use the same passwords on all their accounts, I even wrote back with some questions and the crook wrote back to me telling me to hurry with the money.

 

Hope this helps others.

This happened to me and my wife also. In Florida, they stopped it on mine but hers went through. Over $400.00. Also in Florida, we have no idea how they got the numbers on both cards different numbers and PIN numbers, we got all new accounts, but its hard to use these things again.

 

#2 son in Rome, we get an Email from him stating he was Robbed at gunpoint and needs us to sent $1,200 to payoff his hotel bills. It was his web address, and sounded like him. I was going nuts when someone called me and said it was a fraud, a very common thing when people use the same passwords on all their accounts, I even wrote back with some questions and the crook wrote back to me telling me to hurry with the money.

 

Hope this helps others.

Good gosh, that had to be scary.

 

I saw a similar story on people calling grandparents claiming they need help and money wired to such and such place. People are ruthless.

Someone was acting like a Facebook buddy of mine and sent me a sametime telling me he was in trouble in Europe on a trip and needed some cash wired to get out of a jam. I made him verify his son's basketball team name and they couldnt but it was really weird how they hijacked his Facebook account.

I had someone open an account on a credit card through Dell on my name. Apparently there was a $5000 limit, because they charged $4500 on it and I got the bill. I think they ended up with 3 computers. It was a huge hassle, I had to get in contact with Dell and file a police report, make sure my credit score was fine. Hopefully everything gets taken care of Birdsfan.

I am curious BF, did you use your card on line? I always use my debit card on line, but recently read that you should't do it.

 

Also, I am concerned that, as a repeat customer on line to some stores, most still have my number from previous purchases. Who has access to that?

 

Thirdly, is paypal safer to use than buying directly with your card?

I am curious BF, did you use your card on line? I always use my debit card on line, but recently read that you should't do it.

I have to admit, I have used my card at some rather small online retailers in the past -- mostly for Christmas gifts and such. But recently, it's been nothing but what I considered "secure" corporate sites, like Verizon, Intuit or Apple.

You need to do a little research into Lifelock. Got themselves into a little jam recently for claiming to do things they don't really do.

 

I did before I joined it was lie started by a competitor.

I have to admit, I have used my card at some rather small online retailers in the past -- mostly for Christmas gifts and such. But recently, it's been nothing but what I considered "secure" corporate sites, like Verizon, Intuit or Apple.

 

So, what did you learn from this? Any idea how it happened? Any words of wisdom that we can benefit from to avoid this from happening?

 

Once I got an e-mail from Pay Pal asking me to confirm my information. Half way though, when they asked for my bank account number, I realized something was up. I deleted the info and contacted Pay Pal. It was not Pay Pal, but a cleverly designed e-mail that looked just like Pay Pal. That was the closest I ever got to having my identity stolen. It can happen so easily.

I am curious BF, did you use your card on line? I always use my debit card on line, but recently read that you should't do it.

 

Also, I am concerned that, as a repeat customer on line to some stores, most still have my number from previous purchases. Who has access to that?

 

Thirdly, is paypal safer to use than buying directly with your card?

 

You, and anyone else who is uncomfortable using their debit/credit card online needs to do what I've been doing for years.

 

The next online purchase you want to make, go to Walmart and get a prepaid Visa in that amount. Use the prepaid Visa instead of your debit card for your purchase.

 

Keep the prepaid Visa and the next purchase you decide to make, go back to Walmart and add that amount to the card.

 

It's a little bit of a hassle but I think it's much more safe than putting information directly linked to your bank account on the net.