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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I can’t understand how they did it! (Card fraud)

47 replies

LellowYedbetter · 07/03/2019 15:02

I logged into my credit card randomly the other day to find a £2k transaction on it that I didn’t make. The card was not lost or stolen and was with me the whole time.
Obviously I reported it and it’s being dealt with but I can’t understand how they did it! AIBU to worry that the card company might decide I did make the transaction and make me pay for it??

OP posts:
Princessmushroom · 07/03/2019 15:07

I worked for a credit card fraud team.

It could be anything. It could be a keylogger on your computer, a guess, a card cloning device or others.

They will investigate but they will have things like the location of the transaction or if it was online they work with the retailer and potentially the police to get the IP address, delivery address etc.

If it really wasn’t you they will know. Don’t worry about it

FirmlyRooted · 07/03/2019 15:07

They would have got your card details online somewhere, maybe from a site where you have shopped in the past. They dont need the physical card to make a transaction.

Lolasinthegarden · 07/03/2019 15:08

Mine got skimmed in a petrol station

GrumpySausage · 07/03/2019 15:08

Technology is that advanced these days that cards can be cloned without them ever leaving your purse.

My parents credit card was cloned despite it never leaving their house or being used online and someone bought a 10K car on it. My parents rang the bank and it was flagged up as fraud with no issue and the money was refunded.

It's quite common so I wouldn't worry about it. The banks know how it works.

Piffle11 · 07/03/2019 15:09

YANBU to worry, but I think it should be ok, they will see this all the time. It's not like you've fallen for a scam, where the onus is on you to be vigilant, you've had the card with you all along. Over 10 years ago my ex had this: £1500 on his card, 2 TVs bought at a store near where we lived. I don't know how they got his details, and I think they actually went in and paid in person - this was before pin numbers so a signature would have been enough. He got the money back and I think the police got involved.

Original poster
LellowYedbetter · 07/03/2019 15:10

But I never use the card. The only time I’ve used it is in travel booking sites and I used it in America (but the transaction was made to a UK company).

OP posts:
Purpleartichoke · 07/03/2019 15:11

This happens to my online card every couple of years. I do a lot of online shopping so I keep a card reserved just for that purpose. The card company has never given me any trouble.

Original poster
LellowYedbetter · 07/03/2019 15:11

Will I find out the result of the investigation?

OP posts:
RedForShort · 07/03/2019 15:26

Retail and hospitality businesses are major of hackers. They collect personal data and credit card details can. It's a growing business on the dark web to sell on packages of this information. The details are then used to purchase Bitcoin or high price appliances.

It occurs in huge numbers, (unfortunately) so unlikely the card company will think it's you!!

RedForShort · 07/03/2019 15:28

Retail and hospitality businesses are major target* of hackers

Missed out a word!!

HollowTalk · 07/03/2019 15:29

I was thinking of this the other day when I paid for a takeaway to be delivered - their website payment system was down and I paid over the phone. Of course you give the card number, the code on the back, the expiry date. They could do anything with that.

TheMuminator2 · 07/03/2019 15:35

wow it doesnt even have to leave your wallet www.theukcardsassociation.org.uk/contactless_consumer/ContactlessSecurity2015.asp

keylogger, sold the info etc you will find out

tickingthebox · 07/03/2019 15:41

A number of major online companies (I think British Airways is the most recent) have had their payment systems hacked and the card details taken.

I have lost mine like that (although I didn't identify which transaction). Also had personal card skimmed in a bar, and had a business credit card skimmed, although again not sure where.

DGRossetti · 07/03/2019 15:42

Will I find out the result of the investigation?

Unlikely - unless they refuse to refund ...

Probably not applicable in this case, but a good tip (I think) is to memorize the CV2 number (that's the 3 digits you get asked for over the phone/web) on a card and then obliterate it (hot iron may be needed). It means no one can harvest your card details if you ever find yourself handing it over.

Card issuer advice is that with C&P you should never need to hand your card over, but I've been in a few shops where the assistant is quite keen to do it for you.

Dungeondragon15 · 07/03/2019 15:46

As others have said they don't need the physical card. It happened to me even before the internet so it must be even easier nowadays. I got the amount refunded as it was pretty easy to prove I didn't make the purchase.

AspasiaLunata · 07/03/2019 15:48

Did you use if on BA? There was an issue with them last August

Elephantina · 07/03/2019 15:48

This happened to me - someone had a very nice trip to Euro Disney on my card, to the tune of £2,300.

I contacted Barclaycard who sent me a form to fill out (and a new card), and I signed to swear that I didn't make the transaction. As soon as they received the form the money was credited back to my card, and I got a standard letter to say that there would be an investigation.

I never heard the outcome and that was that. I wish I could find out how they did it!

AspasiaLunata · 07/03/2019 15:48

it*

BlueSkiesLies · 07/03/2019 15:48

A card I had never even ever used got frauded on - suspect they stole details at source

Hadalifeonce · 07/03/2019 15:51

I had a weird one recently, I got a call from a company to say they were calling to check an online order I had placed for £1700, when I asked for further details, they gave them to me with an order number. I told them I had not ordered the item, and asked where they got my number from; apparently it had been the one on the order! Unfortunately they couldn't give me any more details, address or email address, but told me where the item was to be collected the next day.
I called the police to report it, they advised I call the police local to the collection address, unfortunately they couldn't do anything.
A) No idea how they got my card number etc
B) Why on earth would they use my telephone number?

Cherry83 · 07/03/2019 16:11

Had my card cloned more than once. Each time my bank has picked up on it as I use mine regularly and bank gets flags raised in transactions if for example you use your card in a shop in a certain town and 20 minutes later try to purchase £120 worth of petrol in a town 90 miles away. Cloned transactions were automatically declined so I've never lost any money.

It's a bit frustrating and inconvenient as my bank suspends my account each time and I have to wait for a new card to be sent but that's a small price to pay.

I've never found out any outcomes as to whether anyone was caught and charged.

Vixxxy · 07/03/2019 16:12

If it really wasn’t you they will know. Don’t worry about it

I wouldn't say that..I was a victim of fraud years back, and apparently it was clearly me as I had used the retailer in question before. Was fucking argos too..not some random obscure company that it would look suspicious. They also said I must have been negligent with my details, so it was my fault that way too Hmm

Did eventually get refunded, and compensated mind. But it was stressful as fuck being made out to be a liar.

Jebuschristchocolatebar · 07/03/2019 16:14

Just make sure you have your laptop or tables scanned for any virus or unusual items. If you don’t use a programme at home you can often bring it to a good computer store and they will clean it up for you.

GetTheGoodLookingGuy · 07/03/2019 16:42

I had someone by water park tickets in Hong Kong with my card last year. Except it wasn't my normal debit card I carry with me, it was one for a second account which I use for savings. I just access the account online and transfer money in and out of it - I've never used the card online or in a shop. In fact, when I went to look for it after this happened, I found it upstairs in a drawer still attached to the letter it came on!

The bank were great - I watched them refund it as we spoke on the phone.

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