New Credit Card scam

offeror

I found a pending charge of $79.95 on my credit card from a "CIC Credit Monitor Services" in California. The given phone number was disconnected. I did a quick Google search and found 600 complaints on one site alone, with pages of Google stories about the firm fraudulently debiting people's credit cards without their explicit approval.

It seems to have something to do with clicking on a link to explore the possibility of getting a "free copy of your credit report." Now, I seldom have any interest in these unsolicited offers of so-called free credit reports because I've learned they're never free -- always bait for a subscription service, and I sure don't remember having anything to do with these people.

So I reported fraudulent usage, got my CC stopped cold and listed as a "stolen card," and blocked the debit, if possible. I hear I will have my refund for fraudulent use within 5-10 working days. Luckily, I bank online so found the charge the day it was entered to the "pending" list. They may actually catch it in time to stop payment from my account. But most people on the 'net are complaining that they're not able to get a refund, and some are paying $140 or more -- for a service they never approved nor knew they would be billed for -- let alone approving the price being debited.

I went to a site called badbusinessbureau.com, which has something quaintly called the Rip-Off Report, and found a forum with 588 messages detailing the exact same theft, and all the victims claiming the authorities and their banks were unable to do anything about getting their money back. I find this hard to believe, given they were all bamboozled. My assumption is that because I handled it at once, as fraudulent use of a stolen card, I'm not liable for the unapproved use.

It is my belief that this is what following a pop-up ad can lead to, or a banner, or any other type of supposedly harmless 3rd party advertising on a web site you're exploring. No website is responsible for off-site links to which it may connect you.

Here's what to look for on your CC statement, if you suspect you've been had, whether you ever requested a free credit report or not (many have no memory of having asked for one):

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CIC*CREDIT MONITOR SVC 877-513-4175 $79.95

Their web page is supposed to be consumerinfo.com (sounds harmless, eh?) but I hear it's "down"). They also seem to have something to do with a mortgage-service.us, or something like that. Beware, my friends.

T. Jefferson: "[When doing Constitutional interpretation], let us [go] back to the time when [it] was adopted. [Rather than] invent a meaning [let us] conform to the probable one in which it was passed."

19gator55

The exact same company tried the same thing with me back in January of this year. I immediately contacted my bank (Bank of America) and reported it as a fradulent charge. They temporarily credited my account for the amount while it was under internal investigation, asked me if I was willing to sign an affidavit and mailed it to me. I signed and sent it back and within about thirty days the temporary credit became permanent. Most banks have an 800 number that should be your first call.

"Guns do not make you a killer. I think killing makes you a killer. You can kill someone with a baseball bat or a car, but no one is trying to ban you from driving to the ball game." Andy Rooney {IYA AMMO YAS}

gruntled

If it is a charge on your credit card how is the amount being deducted from your account? Is this charge on a debit card or your bank ATM card?

DancesWithSheep

quote:Originally posted by offeror

It seems to have something to do with clicking on a link to explore the possibility of getting a "free copy of your credit report."
How do they get from you clicking on a link to them getting your credit card number?

spectre7

I was wondering the same thing myself DWS; my guess is that the pop-up was from a not-so-secure purchase page for some thinga-majig on a second-rate webpage. We all like those low prices, but sometimes the lack of time/money invested in page secuirty can bite us on the butt. Just a guess though, without more details.

Some credit companies and banks have begun issuing credit cards, which can generate through online banking, a unique credit card number attached to the account with a set amount of credit/debit money on it. For instance you can generate a number with 56.99 attached to it, and use it for a one-time payment for a service or item. I've a friend whose bank supports such a system and I've very interested in it myself.

Typos and profanity, oh my! http://www.funky-town.org

offeror

In some cases, people filled out a short form; I suppose they may have actually entered a CC number; but keep in mind that a credit reporting or "monitoring" service that can issue a "free report" is also in the unique position to get a complete list of your accounts with all the account numbers, on the pretext of reporting your credit rating.

As for me, my debit card doubled as a Visa CC, so it is limited to actual funds in the account. Now, of course, that number is blocked. They did get the debit, d*** them, but hopefully the bank will be able to credit it back. I'm surprised this operation is still in business. Too many people are handling this as a disputed charge rather than fraud and theft, I think.

T. Jefferson: "[When doing Constitutional interpretation], let us [go] back to the time when [it] was adopted. [Rather than] invent a meaning [let us] conform to the probable one in which it was passed."

He Dog

If you used a Visa card, Visa limits your liability in case of theft or fraud to $50, and usually they waive that, so I don't see how people would not be able to get a refund. Visa covers the loss.

My heros have always killed cowboys.

offeror

He Dog -- Until lately, you definitely didn't have the same protections on many bank debit cards as you are used to having on a credit card. I don't know the minutiae of the matter, but apparently bank debit card holders are only recently getting more of the protections that CC holders are accustomed to.

Besides, in this case, the defrauding company was apparently refusing to refund on a "fine-print technicality," claiming that people opted in by taking some action or other on the Internet and accepting a "freebie" that obviously wasn't free. Then of course their website went down, their phone number stopped working -- and yet they are still making debits to this day, having racked up hundreds of complaints from unpleasantly surprised consumers. As I said, I think I am lucky my bank decided to treat this, not as a disputed charge, but as a fraudulent use of a stolen card. My odds of getting a refund should go way up if I don't have to argue with them over their fine print, or whether or not I requested this or that thing that somehow obligated me without my express permission.

INCIDENTALLY: This is a clever and justifiable position for the banks to take on this kind of fraud. After all, it is now possible to steal your credit card number without stealing your plastic; and those who claim you "bought" from them will be unable to produce any proof with your signature on it.

It's enough to put you off doing anything "exploratory" on the net for fear of activating the wrong cookie somewhere.

T. Jefferson: "[When doing Constitutional interpretation], let us [go] back to the time when [it] was adopted. [Rather than] invent a meaning [let us] conform to the probable one in which it was passed."