Holiday Shoppers Beware!

Imagin916 Posted: Dec 08, 2003 09:25 AM

Holiday Shoppers Beware!

Yesterday I went christmas shopping (mostly for myself ) and when I was doing some online banking this morning I saw that a store that I made a $22 purchase had an additional charge for $162 on there!!! I immediatly called Fleet (I had used my debit card at this store) and when I asked what the time difference was between the 2 purchases, she said that my original purchase was at 10:22 AM and the fraudent one was at 1:30 in the afternoon! I called this store this morning, and the woman tried to tell me that this was impossible, and that there cant be another charge on there because they dont have the card #'s, and maybe I lost my card (I didnt, its in my wallet as we speak). When I told her that Fleet said it must have been an employee, she was like Ill look into it and see what I can do. It better be fixed, I want that money back into my account and pronto!! I am not sure what the policy is for fraudulant purchases with a debit card, it makes me wonder if I should even use it for purchases at all anymore, since I hear its a lot easier to dispute a fraudulant purchase with a credit card. I hope this all gets straightened out, and I hope they catch the person who stole this card #! Will I have to go fill out a police report? Anyone been through this before?

Beware ladies, shop with cash if you can!

ETS: FM me if you want to know the name of the store

mlp924 Posted: Dec 08, 2003 09:35 AM

Re: Holiday Shoppers Beware!

I'd love to know the store and which mall also please

Samanthas Mom Posted: Dec 08, 2003 09:37 AM

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Stacey1403 Posted: Dec 08, 2003 09:38 AM

Re: Holiday Shoppers Beware!

I want to know too

I hope you get your money back

cluelessbride Posted: Dec 08, 2003 10:19 AM

Re: Holiday Shoppers Beware!

I would call the manager of the store immediately - definately make a big deal out of it, tell them you will call the police if you don't get an answer!

DrmnBlnd Posted: Dec 08, 2003 10:20 AM

Re: Holiday Shoppers Beware!

Fm!

shamma Posted: Dec 08, 2003 10:21 AM

Re: Holiday Shoppers Beware!

This happened to my GF at either Kmart or Walmart or one of those stores. Right after she left the store they did it. She got her money back. I think different banks do things differently. I hope you get your money back. Darn crooks. I use my debit card for almost everything these days, I am protected, I bank with Chase. Let us know.

Marcela1654 Posted: Dec 08, 2003 10:23 AM

Re: Holiday Shoppers Beware!

Imagin916 Posted: Dec 08, 2003 10:24 AM

Re: Holiday Shoppers Beware!

I called them at 8:30 this morning, I want to call them back, but I dont know what time I should call, I guess I have to at least give them time to figure it out before I take action?
What time do you think I should call back!

Xelindrya Posted: Dec 08, 2003 10:26 AM

Re: Holiday Shoppers Beware!

Id like to know which store it was too

Please FM me

Question tho.. aren't you required to put in a pin for Debit purchases? I use Chase for debit purchases and I remember during last year's xmas shopping I had to enter in a pin. Without it there's no purchase.

SomedayBride Posted: Dec 08, 2003 10:28 AM

Re: Holiday Shoppers Beware!

Last month someone cleared my sister's entire bank account using the numbers off of her debit card. She's getting her money back, but the bank told her that they'd never know exactly who stole her number. She thinks it may have been a clerk in a store, or a watiress in a restaurant, since she never lost her card, or used it online.
Anyway, just thought I'd tell everyone that maybe it's not the best idea to use a debit card (or any card really, I guess) in a restaurant were the waiter takes your card out of your sight.

Imagin916 Posted: Dec 08, 2003 10:30 AM

Re: Holiday Shoppers Beware!

I didnt have to punch in the #, some stores you do if they have that keypad, and some you dont, they use it like a regular credit card.

SomedayBride Posted: Dec 08, 2003 10:31 AM

Re: Holiday Shoppers Beware!

Posted by Xelindrya

Question tho.. aren't you required to put in a pin for Debit purchases? I use Chase for debit purchases and I remember during last year's xmas shopping I had to enter in a pin. Without it there's no purchase.

For the cards that have a visa or mastercard logo, you can also use them in the 'credit' mode of processing sales, and no pin is needed, but a signature is, but what's the last time a clerk actually checked the signature on the card? I know one hasn't checked mine in forever, usually I get the card back before the sale is even complete.

Imagin916 Posted: Dec 08, 2003 10:34 AM

Re: Holiday Shoppers Beware!

The ironic part is, when I used the card in this store it had no signature on it (I had just gotten the replacement card the day before and I had forgotten to sign it), and the girl checked my ID before she allowed me to use it! The store that was 'careful' was the one that stole the # from me!

Danielle&Scott Posted: Dec 08, 2003 10:39 AM

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nj42305 Posted: Dec 08, 2003 10:43 AM

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Xelindrya Posted: Dec 08, 2003 11:13 AM

Re: Holiday Shoppers Beware!

I remember once a while back I used my debit card more than five times within a very short time period. One of the merchants had to call it in, they card peopled asked to speak to me and verify who I was. Apparently it was too much usage in an allotted amount of time. I love that bank. I didn’t mind at ALL that they did that. I’d rather them do that then allow someone to run away with my money.

It’s my FCU Federal Credit Union. I know most of the folks there. I stopped shopping for the day after that. Apparently they trend usage of the card and expand it for the holidays but if over $500 is spent in less than one hour at multiple locations the system freezes my account. Gotta love it.

I just try not to mass shop. I walk in and I know what I want. I check all my purchases and most of the places I shop at require my pin. I rarely use my credit cards and I refuse to carry them with me when I shop. I usually only Xmas shop with my debit card. If there’s no pin pad I go take out cash. It sounds stupid but until I find a better way it’s what I do. I switch up ‘how’ I purchase things. Oh and I hardly EVER shop online unless Im using paypal through a major vendor. I just hate shopping during this time in general.

ChristineC68 Posted: Dec 08, 2003 11:17 AM

Re: Holiday Shoppers Beware!

Posted by Xelindrya

I remember once a while back I used my debit card more than five times within a very short time period. One of the merchants had to call it in, they card peopled asked to speak to me and verify who I was. Apparently it was too much usage in an allotted amount of time. I love that bank. I didn’t mind at ALL that they did that. I’d rather them do that then allow someone to run away with my money.

This happens to DH all the time with his Discover card. He uses it sporadically but he'll pull it out for massive Christmas shopping purchase. By the time we got to the parking lot Discover had called our house and left a message and called his cell phone to question the purchase. I love that service!!

Jen_n_Dale Posted: Dec 08, 2003 11:22 AM

Re: Holiday Shoppers Beware!

I worked for an outlet store in riverhead. I was the assistant manager. I had found out that 2 girls 'forgot' to give the customers back their charge cards and did a little shopping on their own. When we called the main office of the corporation, they suspended them but did not fire them. I could not believe it because they seemed to be like 'good' kids. I can't believe they would even think like that.