I had something interesting happen today. I tried to use my VISA card to pay for lunch, and it was refused – twice, with instructions to “call for authorization”. There wasn’t time for that, so I just I paid with a different card, but later I asked a different merchant try it, with the same result.
It made no sense – for once in my life, I actually had the thing paid off and was light years from my credit limit. When I got home, I called to find out what was going on. It seems that dog show entries I’d submitted online on Thursday were responsible – instead of totalling the 7 days entries, they charged the card seven times for $27.50, in rapid succession. Because it had taken place online, the activity was enough to trigger a security alert, and VISA suspended the account. Nice. I guess I should be relieved that they were paying attention, but I wonder why they didn’t do a little bit more investigation on their own – that show superintendant would have submitted thousands of credit card transactions for $27.50 US that day.
Oh well. Just something to keep in the back of your mind if you do a lot of buying online.
Your lucky, I had my numbers hijacked, and it wasn’t even on line. When the did inquired as to what info they required to invetigate, cause I knew who did it, they said they don’t even bother with it unless it’s about 10k. I now keep my cards at a 5K limit just in case.
One note on this though, if you get your debit card and pin number stolen, your totally screwed, and required to pay back every cent, even if they by a house.
I checked into a hotel in Calgary, on a job that was to last a number of months. The clerk asked for a credit card, which I produced.
A couple of weeks later, I wanted to use the card to buy something, but it was refused for being over the limit.
As it turns out, when the hotel takes your card, they put a charge against the card for the number of days you will be staying, typically about $50 per day. In my case, it was $50 X 135 days!!
Let’s just say there was ranting, and even some raving involved. And thereafter, I paid any overages in cash, on a weekly basis.
Something to watch for.
First- you are NOT responsible for charges you did not make – including that example of the house which you did not buy. That would set up a scenario where the banks/gov’t enabled theft. BUT- if you are complicit in the interaction, i.e., if you gave someone you know both your card number AND your PIN number, and they buy that house (buying a house on a credit card??) then, I’d suggest you are responsible.
I’m very grateful that they keep such a close watch on expenses. If they suspect some problem, they’ll immediately close your card. Good. That protects you.
I had the case where I, an east coaster, bought books (on-line) at a large west coast bookstore, and within hours bought other stuff (Online) in Texas and then a case of wine near my house.
When I got home, the antifraud people at my card had left a message: “Call us now”
I did, they were relieved.
Et, I agree with you, but the local media here said it could take years to clear yourself. There claim is that if someone made a purchase with your PIN and card the owness is now on you to prove your innocence.Thus, in certain cases, you could be screwed.
Not sure if that’s the facts or not, I’m not a lawyer.
A debit card is a direct link into your checking account – just like a check. While a credit card limits your responsibility for fraudulent charges (under U.S. banking laws), your account balance is the limit for illicit charges on your debit card. If someone gains access to your debit card (and they often act and look just like credit cards with no pin required), that checking account maybe with a huge balance will go away. The bank isn’t required to make you whole. Usually they do but that uncertainty sure keeps me from carrying debit cards. Reminds me of a locally famous snippit from past Buffalo mayor Jimmy Griffin about bankers having hearts the size of caraway seeds.