Check your local gas stations

[Kitsunelegend]

So, for the past week, I've been dealing with some major bank issues. Its been very stressful, upsetting, and frustrating to the point where I just haven't had the drive to game at all... So if anyone noticed me being a bit more snippy or grumpy or snappy or whatever, this is why.

 

Basically, I had over $200 USD stolen from me, due to some bastard putting a card scanner onto the pinpad at a local gas station. I wasn't the one who found it, but I was one of many victims they got the card info for...including my pin number. Its been difficult, upsetting, and makes me want to track that S.O.B down and do extremely illegal things to them...

 

So yeah, just a friendly PSA, check the pinpads of your local gas stations. Give the thing a tug before putting your card in, and if it comes off easily enough, let the manager know asap. I live in a small farm town in the middle of nowhere in Eastern PA of the US. I never thought this would happen to me. So be careful, and dont suffer the same fate I currently am.... :(

[Cognitive_Dissonance]

Having been a victim of identity theft (Blue Cross Blue Shield was hacked, my SSN was sold and used for false tax returns. If you think this won't happen in your lifetime . . . lol), I feel your pain.

Some suggestions.

Freeze all your credit, not through one of the big 3 credit reporting agencies, do it yourself, it is free, and once you get into the rythym easy to work around and within, in regards to large purchases.

Create a PIN for your tax return at the IRS.gov site. Not sure why they don't advertise this.

Sign up for credit card transaction reporting with your CC company, you will get email alerts every-time the number shows up, so if it shows up on a day you didn't use it . . .

Anyway, it sucks, and sadly it will get worse for everyone. Your information is so spread out amongst so many agencies, who will lose it, that you might as well begin acting as if you have been hacked etc. with your accounts, money, credit and identity.

[Doomlock]

Hugs for Kit!

[Kitsunelegend]

2 minutes ago, SmirkingGerbil said:

Having been a victim of identity theft (Blue Cross Blue Shield was hacked, my SSN was sold and used for false tax returns. If you think this won't happen in your lifetime . . . lol), I feel your pain.

Some suggestions.

Freeze all your credit, not through one of the big 3 credit reporting agencies, do it yourself, it is free, and once you get into the rythym easy to work around and within regards to large purchases.

Create a PIN for your tax return at the IRS.gov site. Not sure why they don't advertise this.

Sign up for credit card transaction reporting with your CC company, you will get email alerts every-time the number shows up, so if it shows up on a day you didn't use it . . .

Anyway, it sucks, and sadly it will get worse for everyone. Your information is so spread out amongst so many agencies, who will lose it, that you might as well begin acting as if you have been hacked etc. with your accounts, money, credit and identity.

Thing is, it wasn't a credit card that was stolen, it was my bank debit card...thankfully I was able to get the card canceled and have a fraud claim put in with the bank, but its gonna take time... so far I've been without money for an entire week... and I don't know when I'll be getting that money back, though the bank has assured me I will be getting it all back...

[Cognitive_Dissonance]

Some good then, but still, this kind of thing is irksome and a pain in the butt. Hopefully it will evaporate soon for you.

[Umikami]

18 minutes ago, Kitsunelegend said:

So, for the past week, I've been dealing with some major bank issues. Its been very stressful, upsetting, and frustrating to the point where I just haven't had the drive to game at all... So if anyone noticed me being a bit more snippy or grumpy or snappy or whatever, this is why.

 

Basically, I had over $200 USD stolen from me, due to some bastard putting a card scanner onto the pinpad at a local gas station. I wasn't the one who found it, but I was one of many victims they got the card info for...including my pin number. Its been difficult, upsetting, and makes me want to track that S.O.B down and do extremely illegal things to them...

 

So yeah, just a friendly PSA, check the pinpads of your local gas stations. Give the thing a tug before putting your card in, and if it comes off easily enough, let the manager know asap. I live in a small farm town in the middle of nowhere in Eastern PA of the US. I never thought this would happen to me. So be careful, and dont suffer the same fate I currently am.... :(

That sux; I also have been the victim of Identity theft.

(I now understand better your wonderful "I LOVE YOU" post of the other day; don't worry, we love you, too)

Thank you for being courageous enough to stand up and say "yes, I was scammed" and DO something about this; many victims don't.

It is a sad commentary on our modern world that it is now more profitable to cheat someone else out of their hard earned money than it is to go out and make some yourself.

Best of luck in making this right for you.

[Kitsunelegend]

Just now, Umikami said:

That sux; I also have been the victim of Identity theft.

(I now understand better your wonderful "I LOVE YOU" post of the other day; don't worry, we love you, too)

Thank you for being courageous enough to stand up and say "yes, I was scammed" and DO something about this; many victims don't.

It is a sad commentary on our modern world that it is now more profitable to cheat someone else out of their hard earned money than it is to go out and make some yourself.

Best of luck in making this right for you.

I absolutely would NEVER stay silent about something like this. I barely make $200 USD per paycheck, so that bastard literally stole two weeks worth of pay from me. I can promise you I will raise hell about it lol

 

Thankfully the bank is being super easy and nice about this whole thing. Made it easy to understand what was gonna happen, what I needed to do, offered me a temporary debit card (which I can't use cause no money lol) and basically assured me I'd be getting everything back. At this point, its more just needing to wait until the whole investigation goes through and credits it all back...

 

Spoiler

And yes...that was one of the reasons I made that thread.... which is now gone due to the forum upgrade... like it never even happened... 

 

[nina_blain_73]

Hugs for Kit

 

[Yuubari_Melon]

I'm sorry to hear about your bank ID being stolen. I know the feeling of vengeance because some [explicit comment] stole my bike a couple years ago. I still vow to beat the pulp out of the guy if I ever run across him.

But this is also why I always pay in cash and only take money from tellers at my bank unless it's a really expensive item (sporting tickets, flights, new PC, etc). They can't steal your card info if you don't use it in the first place.

*Huggu* It will get better and we're all here for you! <3

[BrushWolf]

Kits, that sucks. Pay inside and you will bypass that kind of scam. By paying inside you will also avoid the hold amount that is put on cards used at the pump and only the amount of the sale will be put on the card.

[Kitsunelegend]

10 minutes ago, BrushWolf said:

Kits, that sucks. Pay inside and you will bypass that kind of scam. By paying inside you will also avoid the hold amount that is put on cards used at the pump and only the amount of the sale will be put on the card.

Actually...it was inside the store where they found the scanner believe it or not, right at the register. Someone had yanked out their card and took the whole scanner with it. Was all over the local news even.

[BrushWolf]

Just now, Kitsunelegend said:

Actually...it was inside the store where they found the scanner believe it or not, right at the register. Someone had yanked out their card and took the whole scanner with it. Was all over the local news even.

Wow, an insider, that is rare. I hope the person that installed that scanner enjoys going through life having trouble getting any decent job for not much in the scheme of things.

[dseehafer]

As someone who used to work at a gas station, I can tell you that if you don't want this to happen to you DONT PAY AT THE BLOODY PUMP!!!! Just, pay inside. It would be quite nearly impossible for someone to put a skimmer in a card reader in the store because they are always under supervision. (though it looks like someone actually managed it a kitsune's store) We checked for skimmer at our store twice and hour, and while we never had a skimmer, it wouldn't be impossible for their someone to slip one in while we weren't looking.

 

But the only surefire way to 100% avoid this is just to pay with cash if possible.

[GrandAdmiral_2016]

Had this happen to me with both credit cards and bank debit cards. In one case our joint bank account was hacked and 2,500$ was removed from it on a Friday night after normal working hours and transferred via Western Union offshore. The bank server has 24-hour on-line surveillance and the account is insured, so we were advised immediately (at 10:30PM mind you) and our cards were blocked but we had to drive 45 miles to the nearest branch to renew our cards and on-line passwords the Monday after. The bank said that the information was hacked direct from their servers. Credit cards? Four times, on-line at that, and in one case the credit card was used to buy furniture in a Florida retail outlet, and in another to buy a very exclusive (and expensive) pair of lady's Gucchi high-heeled shoes in Sweden! Again the cards were protected against fraud, insured, were blocked immediately, and I was advised, but it take two weeks to get a replacement card which is an inconvenience. One thing I did do was to deregister any card information I had on any on-line commercial sites that I do business on, including WoWs, Amazon, PayPal (which I now avoid using altogether as it has happened twice with them), etc. One purchase at a time and no card information retained on either a commercial server or in keyboard memory (mouse click function only to complete transactions). Lesson learned. Credit cards should always be insured against fraud. In my country, bank debit cards are automatically protected by law but you have to fill out a claim form at the nearest branch to get your money back. Criminal hackers exist everywhere, the sting for them is easy, and since it is non-violent theft which most police are unable to trace on investigation, arrests and charges are fairly rare. My youngest brother is an RCMP officer and confirms this. It pays to be prudent, especially when you are surviving from paycheck to paycheck. Been there, done that, and know how it feels. You have my sympathy...

[BrushWolf]

5 minutes ago, dseehafer said:

As someone who used to work at a gas station, I can tell you that if you don't want this to happen to you DONT PAY AT THE BLOODY PUMP!!!! Just, pay inside. It would be quite nearly impossible for someone to put a skimmer in a card reader in the store because they are always under supervision. (though it looks like someone actually managed it a kitsune's store) We checked for skimmer at our store twice and hour, and while we never had a skimmer, it wouldn't be impossible for their someone to slip one in while we weren't looking.

 

But the only surefire way to 100% avoid this is just to pay with cash if possible.

Kits did pay inside, he got nailed by the rarest form of CC scanner scam, an insider.

[Kitsunelegend]

20 minutes ago, dseehafer said:

As someone who used to work at a gas station, I can tell you that if you don't want this to happen to you DONT PAY AT THE BLOODY PUMP!!!! Just, pay inside. It would be quite nearly impossible for someone to put a skimmer in a card reader in the store because they are always under supervision. (though it looks like someone actually managed it a kitsune's store) We checked for skimmer at our store twice and hour, and while we never had a skimmer, it wouldn't be impossible for their someone to slip one in while we weren't looking.

 

But the only surefire way to 100% avoid this is just to pay with cash if possible.

As much as I would love to pay with cash, sometimes I just don't have access to any. Especially lately since my bank is currently upgrading their ATM and no-one has access to it...

 

Thing is, whoever it was that putt he scanner on the thing, was probably caught I'll bet. The gas station it happened at has a TON of security cameras and is also a national chain. (it was at my local Sheetz for anyone curious) So I'm sure they could see how did it, or at least get a license plate number since they have tons of cameras on the outside as well. At least I hope they were able to...

[Taylor3006]

I never use a bank card (credit or debit) at gas pumps. They seem to be magnets to people using skimmers. I do most of my shopping at Walmart so when in the store, I add money to a gift card and then use the gift card at the gas station in front of the store. Not only do I save 3 -5 cents per gallon, if a skimmer is present, will only lose the few dollars left on the gift card after filling up. Now if Walmart gets hacked I am doomed! 

[Yuubari_Melon]

And OFC as soon as I made my last comment my dad took one of those scam phone calls and nearly gave them $2000... I'm so furious I could punch a baby right now...

[vonKaiser]

Just got done with a 3 hour stint at the bank after same thing happened.  Don't know where it got taken but someone got my debit card.  Went to take out money for bills on Thursday, card declined.  Went inside and sat down with bank manager and for some reason my account was $1700 in the Red.  Got it fixed up thankfully but still have a number of questions I need answered

1) I took off overdraft years ago, how'd it go Negative?

2) I pay for something to Wargaming and as soon as I click pay I reach for the phone because they're calling to ask if I made a purchase in Cyprus, how'd the system miss:

a) $350 to American Apparel in Ohio

b) $250 in Cracker Barrel in Wisconsin (Who the heck spends $250 at a Cracker barrel anyway?)

c) $150 at the Gap in Maryland

Swear I'm getting ready to go back to 100% cash after all this :(

[Klaatu_Nicto]

6 hours ago, SmirkingGerbil said:

Having been a victim of identity theft (Blue Cross Blue Shield was hacked, my SSN was sold and used for false tax returns. If you think this won't happen in your lifetime . . . lol), I feel your pain.

Some suggestions.

Freeze all your credit, not through one of the big 3 credit reporting agencies, do it yourself, it is free, and once you get into the rythym easy to work around and within, in regards to large purchases.

Create a PIN for your tax return at the IRS.gov site. Not sure why they don't advertise this.

Sign up for credit card transaction reporting with your CC company, you will get email alerts every-time the number shows up, so if it shows up on a day you didn't use it . . .

Anyway, it sucks, and sadly it will get worse for everyone. Your information is so spread out amongst so many agencies, who will lose it, that you might as well begin acting as if you have been hacked etc. with your accounts, money, credit and identity.

 

Same think happened to me. Does the IRS still have your SS# red flagged and do you get still updates from the DOJ? My last update informed me one of the criminals in my case is getting released. 

 

Spoiler

U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons FCI Marianna 3625 FCI Road Marianna, FL 32446 Phone: (850) 526-2313 Fax: (850) 526-6347 March 09, 2016

RE: ANGELINE AUSTIN

       Register Number: 14042-002
       Docket Number: 12-CR-00108

Dear ******* ******:

You have requested to receive notifications regarding ANGELINE AUSTIN, an inmate incarcerated at this facility. Notifications concerning this inmate will be provided to you through the Victim Notification System (VNS). You may obtain current information about this matter on the Internet at https://www.notify.usdoj.gov or from the VNS Call Center at 1-866-DOJ-4YOU (1-866-365-4968) (TDD/TTY: 1-866-228-4619) (International: 1-502-213-2767). In addition, you may use the Call Center or Internet to update your contact information and/or change your decision about participation in the notification program.

You will need the following Victim Identification Number (VIN) '*******' and Personal Identification Number (PIN) '****' anytime you contact the Call Center and the first time you log on to VNS on the Internet. If you are receiving notifications with multiple victim ID/PIN codes please contact the VNS Call Center. In addition, the first time you access the VNS Internet site you will be prompted to enter your last name (or business name) as currently contained in VNS. The name you should enter is ******.

This notice is to inform you that ANGELINE AUSTIN has been approved for placement in a Community Corrections Center (CCC), otherwise known as a halfway house, and will transfer from this institution on September 21, 2017. After the transfer, the inmate will be located at Dismas Charities (Residential Reentry Center) in Montgomery, Alabama.

In addition to the information provided regarding this offender's CCC transfer, the following information is relevant to the inmate's eventual release. The inmate is scheduled to release on March 22, 2018. The inmate is not eligible for parole. Upon release, the inmate will reside in TROY, Alabama, and will be supervised by the United States Probation Office at USPO - Middle District of Alabama - Montgomery, Basement Frank M. Johnson, Jr., Federal Courthouse Annex, One Church Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104.

You may cancel this notification at any time by calling the VNS toll-free number provided, or by submitting your cancellation request in writing to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Also, if BOP staff initiate a notification and are unsuccessful in contacting you due to inaccurate contact information, your participation in the notification program may be canceled; therefore, it is essential that you continue to ensure your contact information in the VNS remains up-to-date. Finally, notification will terminate when the inmate has completed service of the sentence for the crime which resulted in the notification.

If at any time you have any questions or concerns regarding this program or the offender's status, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above address or you may telephone the VNS Call Center. Sincerely, R. Hooks Unit Manager

 

[BrushWolf]

34 minutes ago, vonKaiser said:

Just got done with a 3 hour stint at the bank after same thing happened.  Don't know where it got taken but someone got my debit card.  Went to take out money for bills on Thursday, card declined.  Went inside and sat down with bank manager and for some reason my account was $1700 in the Red.  Got it fixed up thankfully but still have a number of questions I need answered

1) I took off overdraft years ago, how'd it go Negative?

2) I pay for something to Wargaming and as soon as I click pay I reach for the phone because they're calling to ask if I made a purchase in Cyprus, how'd the system miss:

a) $350 to American Apparel in Ohio

b) $250 in Cracker Barrel in Wisconsin (Who the heck spends $250 at a Cracker barrel anyway?)

c) $150 at the Gap in Maryland

Swear I'm getting ready to go back to 100% cash after all this :(

Going all cash/check is almost impossible in this day and age. Now if the US credit card companies hadn't implemented the chip & pin cards in a half assed manner, you don't use a pin for credit, most of this would be stopped in its tracks.

[Cognitive_Dissonance]

@Klaatu_Nicto

Sure do, but nothing so far on "Maria Santa Cruz", who is probably actually a Russian hacker, but that they are prosecuting.

Also have a case with the (dammit forget Federal Security something or other) and they ping me.

Also have lifetime security alerts through some vendor BLCBSI uses.

[vonKaiser]

2 hours ago, BrushWolf said:

Going all cash/check is almost impossible in this day and age. Now if the US credit card companies hadn't implemented the chip & pin cards in a half assed manner, you don't use a pin for credit, most of this would be stopped in its tracks.

Yeah, I know it's tough, but I'm going to give it a go.  I did it for years until i gave in for convenience.  I figure 5 years I should be able to do it again

[Strachwitz666]

9 hours ago, Kitsunelegend said:

Thing is, it wasn't a credit card that was stolen, it was my bank debit card...thankfully I was able to get the card canceled and have a fraud claim put in with the bank, but its gonna take time... so far I've been without money for an entire week... and I don't know when I'll be getting that money back, though the bank has assured me I will be getting it all back...

In these case, normally all you can be "charged/lose" is $50( in total), the bank has to cover the rest . But many banks will pay you back in full if it can be established you spent none, and it usually does not take "long". I'd never heard more  30 days , usually 1-2 weeks . And they have to notify you with a reason , they will not somewhere between 30-90 days, which is also the max time they have to pay you.  Laws might have been changed since last time looked at them , you can review terms of bank cards  on site.

[Kitsunelegend]

4 minutes ago, Strachwitz666 said:

In these case, normally all you can be "charged/lose" is $50( in total), the bank has to cover the rest . But many banks will pay you back in full if it can be established you spent none, and it usually does not take "long". I'd never heard more  30 days , usually 1-2 weeks . And they have to notify you with a reason , they will not somewhere between 30-90 days, which is also the max time they have to pay you.  Laws might have been changed since last time looked at them , you can review terms of bank cards  on site.

They did say upwards of 30 days till I could see it back. A LOT of people got hit here by the same people as well apparently, so they're kinda slammed atm, and I don't blame.

 

Funny thing is, they pulled the money out on my payday...checked that morning, everything went in fine, checked right before leaving for work at around 4:25 and boom, everything gone lol