Victim of credit card fraud

[nartac]

I never thought it would happen to me. I have a credit card that I exclusively use for heli purchases. Mostly purchase online through paypal using my credit card except for my LHS purchases. Couple of days ago I received a call from my credit card company (Chase) notifying me that my credit card number may be compromised. I didn't make any purchases that day but the rep asked if I did. I denied the purchases and she thought that it was compromised. It turned out there were two purchases to Microsoft Xbox Live for total of $150. Man I'm glad they were able to detect that and I wonder how. Anyway, I'm glad I got a new number and new card but it makes me leery about further use of online purchases.

Come to think of it, the last time I purchased anything online was to Radical RC before this happened. They didn't have an option for paypal payment so I used my credit card number instead. I'm not saying they are the culprits but I wonder if their system has been compromised?

EDIT: looking at Radical RC website again and it clearly says they accept paypal but I didn't get that option during checkout. It directed me to pay by credit card instead when I made a purchase few days ago.

[mmjl_]

I just got hit myself. A charge for $300 for airline tix in Budapest. I dont even know where Budapest is!! I use my card for everything, but the only Hobby Stores I've used at were amainhobbies, readyheli and HeliDirect. I try to use PayPal to avoid this, but not all sites accept it.


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[gmo1]

I think you should find out where it is before you go You might just get hungary and not have capital to buy food.

If a site does not offer PayPal go somehere else there are always places that offer it.

[mmjl_]

Originally Posted by gmo1

I think you should find out where it is before you go You might just get hungary and not have capital to buy food.

If a site does not offer PayPal go somehere else there are always places that offer it.

Haha.....slick!! Well, if I do get Hungary, I'll make sure to Pay my Pal for the food next time!


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[mattm55]

Yeah, about 18mos ago my cards were compromised. They usually (scammers) go after the big credit card processing sites rather than the local/online retailers. Most of the local/online retailers go thru these processing companies and I think the one that got compromised on the east coast was in Georgia or Tenn... ???

A good idea is to setup fraud alerts/protection for your cards. I have mine setup for key transaction limits online and they notify me when any transaction meets that criteria. Yeah a pain, but it gives me a piece of mind. When mine did get compromised, I immediately did some checking online and found orders/pending charges and called the online company up right away. I knew the CC company wouldn't investigate this as fast and I helped the woman at HP track and stop 3 laptops that were ready to ship out and she was very, very thankful.

Good luck and keep an eye on ALL your CC transactions... debit cards too now I hear.... arrggg I hate scammers!

Matt

[nartac]

Originally Posted by mattm55

Yeah, about 18mos ago my cards were compromised. They usually (scammers) go after the big credit card processing sites rather than the local/online retailers. Most of the local/online retailers go thru these processing companies and I think the one that got compromised on the east coast was in Georgia or Tenn... ???

A good idea is to setup fraud alerts/protection for your cards. I have mine setup for key transaction limits online and they notify me when any transaction meets that criteria. Yeah a pain, but it gives me a piece of mind. When mine did get compromised, I immediately did some checking online and found orders/pending charges and called the online company up right away. I knew the CC company wouldn't investigate this as fast and I helped the woman at HP track and stop 3 laptops that were ready to ship out and she was very, very thankful.

Good luck and keep an eye on ALL your CC transactions... debit cards too now I hear.... arrggg I hate scammers!

Matt

Matt,

How do you setup this credit card fraud alert? Through your credit card company?

Cain

[caralmar]

I got a free PP mastercard. I use it anywhere online that doesn't accept PP directly. You pay no fees for using it, and the funds come out of the PP account. If the PP account doesn't have enough funds, it is taken out of the linked checking account. So in essence, it is a debit card but linked to PP.

[mattm55]

Yes, I have both Chase and AMEX fraud alerts thru their respective websites. I can get alerts by ph, txt or email and on specific limits.

I setup alerts for online tx's, balance thresholds, etc... so I get a bunch of alerts (do alot of charging for points) but after getting hacked, its no bother at all.

Your CC companies options may vary but definitely worth setting up if available. Mine told me I would only be held accountable for the first $50 but they waved it. In the end, they did get one laptop out of 4 ordered but at least they had the shipped address (a CA address no less and I'm in NY) Go figure....

Hope that info helps? We all pay for these scams one way or another... Argggg

Matt

[mmjl_]

An update to my situation:

I was hit with another fraudulent charge on the new card I received. This will be the 2nd time in 3 weeks with two separate cards. I have this pinned to HeliDirect. They are the only company that I have used the new card with. They are the common denominator.

I called to cancel my new card and I also called HeliDirect to let them know. I can't say that this is being done intentionally by anyone there, but my bank told me that the purchase that they made on my account they had to know my home address also. HeliDirect has that on file. YOU be the Judge!!

I'm gonna post this in a new thread also so everyone is aware.


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[Egroeg]

Hi from Cyprus.
I don't know how things work there on the other side of the pond but:
I have a dedicated Internet card for online shopping....no magnetic strip...
Put funds I the card and pay....otherwise there are only 2 euros in the acc...so nothing to be stolen.
When a payment is made...an SMS informs me immediately on my bobble of the amount.

[coupester]

Wife and I were both hit. Common is HELIDIRECT!!!

She ordered an xmas present for me from HELIDIRECT and 3 weeks later...her CC fraud dept called her.

I get a call from my CC company fraud dept and only transactions were from HELIDIRECT.

[Fullonoob]

Same here
Helidirect!

[coupester]

I'm thinking we should start a new thread bringing to attention that helidirect's database may have been compromised???

NOT "officially" pointing the finger at helidirect but, just to bring to light our suspicions.

[Cailid]

Originally Posted by coupester

Wife and I were both hit. Common is HELIDIRECT!!!

She ordered an xmas present for me from HELIDIRECT and 3 weeks later...her CC fraud dept called her.

I get a call from my CC company fraud dept and only transactions were from HELIDIRECT.

Were the purchases made online using the same computer? If so then you could have a keylogger on your computer.

[FINCLOSER]

I have purchased several items at several different times from them, using my CC and no problems yet (knock on wood). I think you may have a keylogger.

[coupester]

Nope. 3 different machines...2 of which are macs. Also, not in the same geo locations. I usually do orders at work which is a mac.

I'm in the IT sector and I'm usually are extra cautious with my machines. Now with that being said, their backend servers could be infected and their customer database may have been compromised.

The fact being, never had this happen until I started ordering from Helidirect. Also, with other HF members reporting the same issue. Too much of a coincidence that my wife never had any issues until her 1 order with Helidirect.

[burnoutboy]

After the whole Sony PSN getting hacked thing I switched to a pre paid NetSpend Visa card for all of my online transactions. Let them try and get anything off it. It only has an available balance when I load it up to make a purchase. Free text messages every time money is added or deducted from the card within a minute.

IMO it's the safest way to use a CC online.

[hamstar78]

damn that stinks helidirect is where i order most stuff, time for a change

[Spork01]

Yikes! Someone call HD and let them know! they are a major retailer and a major advertiser at helifreak

[memosteve]

I had my debit card compromised this week...the first time I've ever had an issue all the years I've been making purchases online! I was had for almost $500!

The only place I purchased anything online from the last month or so was indeed from my sponsor!

Now that I've seen this thread, I'm starting to also wonder if Helidirect's server/customer database has been hacked!

I'm gonna bring it up on our private FB team page as see if anyone at the home office can look into the matter...