Credit Card Fraud Alert

[Vidi]

This is not the usual " I think my vendor got hacked " post. In fact, I highly doubt it has anything to do with our favorite vendors at all.

I just recieved a text message starting that my credit/debit card had been deactivated. To reactivate call the following number. It had the first four digits of my credit card. ( which denites the bank, not the card ) Once you call the number, you will be prompted to input your card number.

That's where suspicion stopped me. Waitaminute I thought, something smells here.

So I didn't give them my number, called my bank and found that the text is fraudulent.

More investigation on my part discovered this is very common and has been getting much much worse due to the proliferation of smart phones.

Because so many of us place so many online orders ( I've done seven in just the last two weeks -not all ecig related ) this is just a heads up.

Its so prolific that the FBI is involved. You can even report this to the FBI at www.ic3.gov

Stay safe, folks!

 

[salemgold]

A good rule of thumb is that a real credit card company and or bank would never ask you for your full card number over the phone or via email or text

 

[jj2]

Use PrePaid or PayPal. Yes I know the latter is on the black list but better than using a debit or credit card.

 

[Iffy]

A good rule of thumb is that a real credit card company and or bank would never ask you for your full card number over the phone or via email or text

THIS!!!




10 char

 

[Jackiej5407]

Sheeeeeeeeeeeit

 

[pianoguy]

Another reason why I leave my cell phone in my glove compartment.

 

[Devonmoonshire]

The very best rule of thumb to follow is to only use the number located On The Actual Card to phone in any and all inquiries about your card. Then you Know it is a valid number.

Good Looking out Vidi

Nate aka Darth Vapor

 

[Str8V8ping]

If you give me your cc number i can check and see it is activated for you . J/K lol . I dont do any transactions on my smartphone . Prepaid is the best way to order stuff like said above . I wish these ecig vendors accepted paypal since i use that more than anything .They should at least be able to accept it for parts and anything that doesnt contain nic in it .

 

[nanovapr]

Welcome to the intarwebz.

 

[El-ahrairah]

Curses! Foiled again!

 

[Eddie.Willers]

Drat! And Double Drat!
I would have got away with it if not for those meddling kids!

 

[flbutterfly1]

I have received the text several times over the last 2 weeks. My kids cells have gotten the same texts. I told them to delete it and to not even open the text and read the full message. And never call the number it gives you. I have heard that they can capture your cell info and hijack the number and run up your bill. I dont know if that is even possible but I would rather not find out if it is or not.

 

[Rhapsodies Fire]

We've been getting automated calls from someone claiming to be Wells Fargo to let us know our cards had been deactivated...luckily for us, we don't bank with Wells Fargo so I knew right away that this was fishing. But...no bank will ever contact anyone for a problem with a card, so if you get a call like that, be sure to contact your bank using the normal number you use to call them to ask any questions you may have.
Thanks for the link...I'll be using this.

 

[base234]

Use PrePaid or PayPal. Yes I know the latter is on the black list but better than using a debit or credit card.

Why is the latter on the black list? I've been using them for a long time with no problems. Is there something I should know?

 

[Ping]

I got a call last month from wells fargo saying my card had been deactivated, since I don't bank there I knew something was up and just gave them a bunch of random numbers to see what would happen. They asked for CC # expiration date then said thank you and hung up.

 

[Syn007]

This kind of method is new to me. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Allan.GH]

Why is the latter on the black list? I've been using them for a long time with no problems. Is there something I should know?

PayPal has been holding funds on transactions, and is on a campaign to flush the accounts of those buying or selling vaping supplies. I use Dwolla instead, even though it's not as widely used at this time.

The credit card calls/SMS messages/emails have been happening for about the past 6 months and are on the increase recently; which means that they've probably been somewhat successful.

 

[Mindfield]

Thanks for the heads up! I'd probably be really suspicious of that anyway; generally, any time anyone wants to confirm a CC number with me, they'll use the either the first and last four digits, or just the last four, but never only the first four. More importantly though they'll never communicate over text or E-mail for any issues regarding my card, they'll always call, and will only speak to the authorized cardholder, whom they will ask for by first and last name.

But everyone needs to know about this so they don't get taken. Absolutely when dealing with any questions regarding your financial instruments call your bank or card issuer directly and go through that way, never use any E-Mail addresses or phone numbers given to you.