Debit Card Fruad

[Paddy]

Make no mistake - your bank loves you. I've never heard of a bank willingly eat the losses on a transaction with a debit card. I've heard of customers fighting a suspicious charge and winning, but never in the manner you've described. Credit cards, however, reverse charges all the time. We never use the debit card online - ever.

I thought that was the point of having Visa attached to debit cards, you are allotted the same protection as a CC.

[ggiese]

I thought that was the point of having Visa attached to debit cards, you are allotted the same protection as a CC.

Visa is just the "conduit" for the transactions on behalf of the bank. Any policies around reimbursing losses are actually tied to the bank itself, not Visa. While it seems the reversal of charges is "automatic", in reality it's not as automatic as it might seem. In the past, many banks would "write off" the charges. Not so much any more. And the retailers were most often willing to "write off" their losses when the banks kicked it back to them. Not so much any more. Increasingly both banks and retailers are pushing back on writing off bad charges. If there able to establish ANY connection to what the customer is doing to the loss of the credit card data - the bank/retailer is going to place the blame squarely on the customer. Think of it this way - if you leave your car keys in the ignition of your car unattended - would GM willingly reimburse you for the theft of your vehicle? ...or the insurance company?

If you KNOW (or "should have known") the credit card transaction was going to be risky - the bank is likely going to hold you responsible for the charges. The ONLY thing that might save you is a long tenured relationship with the bank because they may not want to lose your business. But - be forewarned - they may likely not want to accomodate you more than once or twice....

[Paddy]

Visa is just the "conduit" for the transactions on behalf of the bank. Any policies around reimbursing losses are actually tied to the bank itself, not Visa. While it seems the reversal of charges is "automatic", in reality it's not as automatic as it might seem. In the past, many banks would "write off" the charges. Not so much any more. And the retailers were most often willing to "write off" their losses when the banks kicked it back to them. Not so much any more. Increasingly both banks and retailers are pushing back on writing off bad charges. If there able to establish ANY connection to what the customer is doing to the loss of the credit card data - the bank/retailer is going to place the blame squarely on the customer. Think of it this way - if you leave your car keys in the ignition of your car unattended - would GM willingly reimburse you for the theft of your vehicle? ...or the insurance company?

If you KNOW (or "should have known") the credit card transaction was going to be risky - the bank is likely going to hold you responsible for the charges. The ONLY thing that might save you is a long tenured relationship with the bank because they may not want to lose your business. But - be forewarned - they may likely not want to accomodate you more than once or twice....

So, Maybe I should open a small Visa Credit card account?
I have tried very hard not to use credit cards. I carry an American Express that I only use when we are oversea's on vacation. My day to day transacton are conducted via Visa/debit. I thought I was being fiscally responsible by not racking up CC debt. I could only spend what was in my checking account. I made a point of tossing every pre-approved card offer that came to me away in the fire-place.

[badwhale]

So, Maybe I should open a small Visa Credit card account?
I have tried very hard not to use credit cards. I carry an American Express that I only use when we are oversea's on vacation. My day to day transacton are conducted via Visa/debit. I thought I was being fiscally responsible by not racking up CC debt. I could only spend what was in my checking account. I made a point of tossing every pre-approved card offer that came to me away in the fire-place.

Actually, demonstrating that you are responsible with revolving debt is better for your credit score.

[Paddy]

Well, Lesson learned.
I will change my practices going forward.
I did call BOA one more time just to make sure there was NO misunderstanding about
what they are going to do. They assured me that thier products (credit/debit) cards are covered by a
ZERO-Fraud liabilty plan and I would be compansated for my losses.
But, as George pointed out to me...I will not push my luck

[Paddy]

Actually, demonstrating that you are responsible with revolving debt is better for your credit score.

How the fuck am I supposed to do that? When there is a new L.E. coming out every other week

[cinda]

I use Amex for the most part on line. At Christmas time I ordered a movie that wasn't coming out until February. I got it off of Amazon. Two months later Amex calls me and asks me if I bought something for $500.00 recently and had it applied to he card. I said no so they said your card has been compromised so we will have to send you a new one. They also said read your statement really good and let us know if there is anything else on it you didn't buy. This was for dog food in New Zealand. I was pretty pleased that Amex caught it before I was even sent the bill. I just decided for on line stuff I going to use pay pal credit card. That appears to be pretty safe. What do you think GG?

[Devil Doc]

I suggest you buy your cigarettes in New Hampshire. I don't know about Ukrainian smokes but I've smoked cigarettes from the former Soviet Union and they suck.

Doc

[ggiese]

I use Amex for the most part on line. At Christmas time I ordered a movie that wasn't coming out until February. I got it off of Amazon. Two months later Amex calls me and asks me if I bought something for $500.00 recently and had it applied to he card. I said no so they said your card has been compromised so we will have to send you a new one. They also said read your statement really good and let us know if there is anything else on it you didn't buy. This was for dog food in New Zealand. I was pretty pleased that Amex caught it before I was even sent the bill. I just decided for on line stuff I going to use pay pal credit card. That appears to be pretty safe. What do you think GG?

Aside from their quirkiness, PoopPal is a decent way to protect your credit card info during online purchases. However - if your computer is compromised by malicious software, it is possible your PoopPal login credentials could be compromised and the bad guys could have access to valid credit card info through your account.