I keep a free checking account that I only use for small ATM purchases. I dislike carrying cash and use the card for the sub shop, fast food restaurants, grocery store purchases and non-business related things like that. Typically the balance is under $300 and I transfer/deposit money as needed.
Two weeks ago, I went to the computer store and forgot to take my corporate ATM card so I made a purchase of $100 in supplies on my personal account... that brought the balance to about $40... more than enough for my lunch needs that week.
I had some business in South Beach and took the causeway into downtown Miami area where I stopped for gas (paid with my corporate card at the pump) and a Caesar Chicken wrap sandwich that I paid inside with my personal card.
I thought it odd the cashier had sort of a 'cat who ate the canary' smirk on her face... That stayed with me the whole day.
Two days later, I received a call from someone representing my bank and he wanted me to verify 'a rash of recent purchases on my ATM card'
I told him my last 2 purchases: the BP station and Dunkin Donuts for around $5 each and my balance was $30.
He said my account was overdrawn and asked if I could recall making other purchases like Publix grocery for $135, Popeye's Chicken for $25, Burger King for $3. My answer was no, so he transfered me to the fraud division for them to open a report.
I'm waiting for them to mail the forms to me so I can clear this up. The last time it happened was a few years ago where the police said the gas station clerk had a fake scanner and they were capturing card numbers and pin codes.
The customer swipes the card and enters their pin but it appears like the scanner didn't work. So they hand the card to the cashier to swipe it and you enter your number on a different (real) keypad. Slick operation. The customer never knows their card identity has been stolen... that is until the bank should call and alert you the account is overdrawn.
Since the card is controlled by the 16 digit number, expiration date and code on the back, the bank cancels the card and issues a new card with a different set of numbers. None of these numbers are actually your bank account number so (according to security of the bank) the security of your account hasn't been compromised.
A friend suggested I carry cash... 
Just think, if someone were to have robbed me, the chances are, I would have lost my wallet, drivers license, ID cards and all my money would have been gone.
I consider cloning my ATM card the lesser of the 2 evils. Checking accounts are insured. My bank will replace the money taken from my account.
Unless they can actually get someone on camera using a cloned ATM card there is really not much the bank can do to recover the money from the people who were cloning cards that day...
I take it as a sign of desperation. At least they bought food and not a stereo at the flea market !
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| ATM fraud... they struck again! |
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missliss78
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May 31 @ 11:12PM
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Of course I've heard of things like this before...
Just wondering here, though....don't you go online to check out your account periodically? Like maybe this could have been caught sooner? 
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ragtopcookie
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Jun 1 @ 6:08AM
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Again,.....call me old school...but i check my account .....i use my debt card alot...and write checks out for bills.....im always shreding my reciepts.....and i make sure when somethings not right to call and find out why......i dont know how anybody could not do this......now days........cookie
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ttomtarr
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Jun 1 @ 6:51AM
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I use a debit card for small purchases and internet buying. I keep a balance of less than $50 in it, and add money for bigger purchases.
It can't be run down below zero, and the $50 or so is easy to get back, as few fraudulent purchases can be made with that amount.
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luneib
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Jun 1 @ 6:56AM
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I was going to suggest the same as your friend, carry cash. I also use a debit card alot, I rarely if ever use my credit card except for car repairs.
Also, watch out for the ATM machines, criminals have been putting phoney gizmos on those to get your card number. If it feels funny when you put your card into one, beware. Also if you see like a pamphlet holder stuck on an ATM machine, some of those have tiny cameras to catch your debit card numbers, then those get transported to a person in a car nearby. Yeh, the criminals are slick these days.
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chatillion
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Jun 1 @ 6:57AM
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im always shreding my reciepts...
cookie, I'm always keeping my receipts. Lots of times I buy things for business with my personal account.
As far as checking the balance, I'll do it a few times a month... or when I cannot remember the balance or last few purchases.
I think I had used the card Friday and checked the balance (by phone) Saturday. Monday is when the bank phoned, so we're not talking about a great span of time were I was neglecting the account.
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Fender
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Jun 1 @ 8:29AM
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You know what...After reading this, and what happened to EF...You've got me wondering.
I don't get any info from my bank. I handle everything through telephone banking. Since I have no credit cards everything is done on my atm card. I'm calling the bank and telling them I want to start getting statements mailed to me.
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dizzydoll
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Jun 1 @ 2:00PM
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Just think, if someone were to have robbed me, the chances are, I would have lost my wallet, drivers license, ID cards
if they were going to rob you they would have taken all that anyway. i only work with cash now, no more ATMs or credit cards.... i go into the bank to get cash, the old fashioned way.
no stress, no fraud, no forms, no hassle
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hlfpint
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Jun 12 @ 3:39PM
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a local chinese resturant got busted for adding "tips" to cards after customers have left. I happened to notice it when i checked my account online, i went back a cpl months and there were a few other $1-$3 transactions, found out they had done this to many many customers
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Berrysplash
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Jun 17 @ 8:57PM
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Everyone and I mean everyone should have a shredder. I am not exactly the type people would assume has money and they would be right but whatever I do have I want to keep.
Here are some tips:
Protect your pin when inputting not matter where you are(put one hand over the other as you key it in)
Shred receipts, visa bills--after you pay em, phone bills etc
Take your name off any mail subscriptions, magizines before recycling etc
Never give your SIN if your Canadian or SSN if your American to anybody unless it is for a very good reason i.e Govt, Doctor etc.
Never share your pin or keep it on you where it can be lost and therefore found and used against you.
Check your bank balances weekly if not more depending on work, family schedules.
Have a passbook or some other record of transactions as back up--Computers go down, Files are lost. But if you have proof they will have to believe you and not the loony tune who stole your cash!
If all this sounds a bit paranoid sorry but it is better to be safe then sorry. It does't mean that all of the above will stop cloned cards, identity theft but it will cut your chances in half nad make you more aware of what you are spending too!
Now go out there have fun but play safe!
BerrySplash
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