Fraud Protection and Stolen Credit Card Number.

March 14, 2011

Three weeks ago we took a trip to Las Vegas for WPPI, the worlds largest photography convention. Pamela and I had a great time seeing friends, meeting new people, learning from other photographers and most importantly being inspired for the coming wedding season. We are booking up, and very excited to work with all of our new clients!

Three days after our trip, some odd charges started showing up on my credit card. I never lost it, and I'm very careful with it online.  I am also careful with my passwords for my online accounts. I use a piece of software called 1Password and it's absolutely a life saver. 1Password allows you to store ALL of your passwords, credit cards, and account info in one place, where it is encrypted online and accessible from all of your computers and devices. Have you ever forget one of your passwords? 1Password sets this up perfectly, not to mention you can have it generate very secure passwords along the lines of: "th37fqrtlmp89043ngk."

More to the point of this post, I believe someone in Vegas pulled my number, and started using it overseas. Five unauthorized charges showed up in Europe which prompted Capitol One to give me a call. They seem to have a good fraud protection department. They sent me a list of transactions online, which I verified as authorized or not, then closed out my account and sent me a new card.

Through this process I learned that by federal law you are only liable for $50 maximum, as long as the charges are reported in time.  Many card companies will even cover the $50 (as mine did), and the card user ends up liable for nothing at all. This is the way it should be, as credit card companies make a fortune from their users.

My advice?  Watch for credit card skimmers (which scan your card as you use an ATM), and keep a close eye on your transactions each week, if not bi-weekly. Use a website like Mint.com, a completely free tracking software that allows you to view all of your accounts at once, such as auto/house/student loans, bank accounts, credit cards and more!

25 comments:

  1. I knew you were only liable on a credit card for $50, but still plenty scary! Good advice about really checking your accounts. Went on a trip and had gotten all the charges on my credit card and then noticed a couple of months later a restaurant charge came through again, they had changed the date, amount was the same! Called the credit card company and they dealt with it. Look out for this double run through on your account also. Linda K

    ReplyDelete
  2. Credit card processing fees vary from company to company. It can be a challenge trying to figure out exactly what it is you will be paying for processing services

    ReplyDelete
  3. When the company that I used to use for my credit card processing services for my store kept raising the fees that they were charging me for the services I thought that it was time to look for another service.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great post, and great website. Thanks for the information! small business cash register

    ReplyDelete
  5. I was surfing the Internet for information and came across your blog. I am impressed by the information you have on this blog. It shows how well you understand this subject. paypal account

    ReplyDelete
  6. Impressive web site, Distinguished feedback that I can tackle. I am moving forward and may apply to my current job as a pet sitter, which is very enjoyable, but I need to additional expand. Regards plenti activate card

    ReplyDelete
  7. Take your policy documents with you so you know exactly what to do if you need to make a claim. Some people lose out because, for instance, they do not report details of a theft to the local police within a day of the crime. credit cards and personal loans Europe

    ReplyDelete
  8. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! keep up the good work... Credit Cards

    ReplyDelete
  9. Still, there are some corporations which have done quite well and are hoarding cash, and they are ready to expand as soon as the market warrants an uptick in business activity. Cash Discounting

    ReplyDelete
  10. Healing in the daily routine of the squirrel wheel !!
    Business trip massage for 7 years with one belief that it must be the best
    This is Jenny who is giving guidance.제니출장안마

    ReplyDelete
  11. If we talk about some of the easiest and the most lucrative business options we will find the sales of these accounts a much better idea. Selling Merchant Services

    ReplyDelete
  12. Do you have a check that you need to cash but have an expired ID? If so, there are several ways you can still cash your check. continue

    ReplyDelete
  13. Korea's number one business trip massage service. We operate home care services throughout Seoul.

    ReplyDelete
  14. annyeonghaseyo gwihaui joh-eun saeng-gag-e gamtan-eul haessseubnida.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Busan Haeundae area business room choice 1st place

    ReplyDelete
  16. No. 1 business trip company in Jeju Island

    ReplyDelete
  17. A system that allows you to quickly go to all the top business trip companies in Busan

    ReplyDelete
  18. Do you have a check that you need to cash but have an expired ID? If so, there are several ways you can still cash your check

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comments!

© Luke Goodman Cinematography. All Rights Reserved