tvordlj | (no subject)

I had an interesting phone call last night from my bank/Visa company. They had some security concerns with some of their customers' cards and said they were cancelling the card and sending a new one straight away. I asked was someone using my card because i hadn't noticed any charges that weren't mine. No, was the answer, it was more of a preventative measure. Huh? So you're cancelling my card in case of future security problems? How does that work? He didn't have details but cited an example. A few years ago, an American retailer, I think it was TJ Maxx, had their system hacked and they were concerned that customer credit card numbers were compromised. I think it may have happened with the Winners chain too around that time. Ahhh.. So you're telling me that it happened again? He said he didn't know (ha!) but it is a possibility so they were taking measures.

So how do i know he's really from the bank, i asked? Mind you, he never asked me what my card number was. He read off 3 or 4 of my most recent charges though, and i knew every one. I said i'd made a payment of XX recently and he said yes and another payment of YY not long before that. That's correct. So i'm reasonably sure it is what it is. They could have sent the card by regular mail except it takes a week or 10 days and i have a couple of charges that come off automatically and since I don't want them to bounce, they're sending it by courier to my bank where i can go sign for it. Should get that Thursday or Friday latest. The only information he wanted was a phone number where the bank could reach me when the card arrived and when i gave them my work number, he said, yes we do have that as your business contact number already. Now i have to make a list of the places i have the card registered, such as Paypal and Yak (long distance phone company) and will have to call the Newspaper to change my number there as well. A bit of a nuisance but at least they're on top of it.

I forgot to ask him if the card will be one of the new kind with the chip in it that requires a PIN when you use it. The PIN isn't used too much yet here in North America but the banks are slowly switching their cards over to that technology which is used in Europe pretty much all over. I'll find out when i pick it up. The card already has a PIN associated with it so i can use it in ATMs for cash advances or payments but i think i'll change the number just for added security.

In other news, it's one month until Christmas Day! I have the bulk of my shopping done, with just a few things left but they're all easy stuff to get. I have a couple of online things to order as well which i will do this weekend to make sure there is plenty of time for delivery.

Was looking through the Christmas LUSH newsletter this morning. Gosh they have some nice new items! I need to stock up on Snowcake soap, too.

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I'm glad to hear it wasn't some scam (said with all my bodily parts crossed), but what an odd time of year to decide to do this as a preventative measure.

I can't believe that the year is roaring to a close! Where did it go? It's always a reminder that I truly need to plan and follow through with slowing myself down.

It's more likely that this time of year would be prime time for hacking though

Was looking through the Christmas LUSH newsletter this morning. Gosh they have some nice new items! I need to stock up on Snowcake soap, too.

I really like the Let Them Eat Cake lip balm, and the Chocolate Santa (no bath, but he looks jolly and makes my bathroom smell nice.) I was quite happy that Snow Showers and Gold, Frankensence & Beer are back.

*sigh* i'm going to have to take up residence in LUSH

You do have a fiancee in the UK who could maybe send you a box of the lovely Lush for Christmas...

We've got one here locally :)))) (unfortunately for my bank balance!)

All it really means is that you've used your card at a place they've discovered is duplicating cards or selling the information. We used to make those calls daily when I worked at Amex.

Yes it could be that or it could be that a company's database was hacked into. I can't imagine anywhere was duplicating cards, all the places i've used it lately are places like the post office, grocery store, oh maybe a restaurant. I'd have to look and see. Rather be safe with a new card, though, than sorry

It could be any place you've used it in the last 6-12 months...most probable culprit is a gas station, especially full service ones where they take your card for a few minutes and you don't see what they're doing with it. Did you use it for gas any time you had a rental? It's usually not the store per se but someone crooked working there is able to capture the information from the magnetic strip with a little hand held device. It's then connected to a computer and the information can be emailed anywhere and in as little as an hour after using your card, a duplicate one could show up in Europe or Asia.

Credit card fraud costs the banks hundreds of millions a year.

Hmmm yes i did use it for gas with the rental, for at least one full service station in CB 2 months ago.