SamSpade
Well-Known Member
Yesterday I got a letter in the mail presumably from the bank of one of my credit cards, warning me of potential fraudulent use of my card and providing a number to call. Without thinking too long about it, I promptly picked up the phone and dialed, gave my info via the voicemail system they had - and waited. Until it politely told me that due to the volume of calls, they could not provide service at this time and then it told me it would automatically disconnect. This was surprising, because every customer service number I have ever called - especially one billed as being available 24/7 - always lets you wait around until kingdom come.
Looking at the letterhead, I noticed it was Bank of America - but it was black and white, and not the typical red white and blue. Further, I noticed not one person's name was listed - even the signature was "Fraud Department". It sure looked official regarding Bank of America - but I began to wonder if the REAL fraud hadn't already been perpetrated on *ME* by getting me to reveal information.
Fortunately - thanks to VRAI - I had free copies of all my recent credit reports. Sure enough, this was an old credit card that I paid off two and a half years ago and hadn't used since. I dug out the card, called the customer service number and waited.
Since this was a *REAL* customer service number - two significant things popped up. One was, the offer to do it in Spanish. Yeah, it's a pain, but it occurred to me that the other number never offered any such service. Secondly, it didn't ask for any information until I got a bona fide service representative.
Sure enough - there HAD been a charge made on my card - ironically, on exactly the date of my other letter (the one I suspected to be a ripoff). It was for a paltry amount, but the rep couldn't figure out where the hell it had been made.
I closed the account, completely. Yeah, it has a HUGE credit limit, but I don't use it at all and obviously it's a target for fraud. What I suspect is that somewhere, someone "pings" credit card numbers they get, and automated messages get sent out to phish for info. I'm glad I shut the thing down.
Looking at the letterhead, I noticed it was Bank of America - but it was black and white, and not the typical red white and blue. Further, I noticed not one person's name was listed - even the signature was "Fraud Department". It sure looked official regarding Bank of America - but I began to wonder if the REAL fraud hadn't already been perpetrated on *ME* by getting me to reveal information.
Fortunately - thanks to VRAI - I had free copies of all my recent credit reports. Sure enough, this was an old credit card that I paid off two and a half years ago and hadn't used since. I dug out the card, called the customer service number and waited.
Since this was a *REAL* customer service number - two significant things popped up. One was, the offer to do it in Spanish. Yeah, it's a pain, but it occurred to me that the other number never offered any such service. Secondly, it didn't ask for any information until I got a bona fide service representative.
Sure enough - there HAD been a charge made on my card - ironically, on exactly the date of my other letter (the one I suspected to be a ripoff). It was for a paltry amount, but the rep couldn't figure out where the hell it had been made.
I closed the account, completely. Yeah, it has a HUGE credit limit, but I don't use it at all and obviously it's a target for fraud. What I suspect is that somewhere, someone "pings" credit card numbers they get, and automated messages get sent out to phish for info. I'm glad I shut the thing down.
I decided that I will just pay it at the bank and call B of A and ask them about this. 
When a credit card of mine got compromised a couple of years ago and I noticed a $200 charge to an online store I never shop at, I called the store and found the merchandise had been shipped to an address in California. They don't care where they ship stuff as long as they have a valid credit card number.