I Fell Victim To Credit Card Fraud

Yes, it’s true. Me, who is always super extra careful when it comes to using my credit card anywhere, fell victim to credit card fraud. Wonderful 🙁 ..

Yesterday I logged into my bank account to check my balance, but little did I know that I was in for a big shock! A huge amount had been deducted from it, which I couldn’t account for. Checking a little further it turned out my credit card company billed me (like every month) but for an incredible amount. I was sure I hadn’t charged my credit card a lot this past month so after the initial shock came panic.

I frantically tried to log into my credit card account to see what was charged on it. But Murphy’s law kicked in and both the app and the website were down. More panic! Luckily I had a little bright moment and called the company.
They were kind enough to tell me what had been charged, which unfortunately for me caused even more panic. There had been a lot of money charged onto my card, but it wasn’t me!!

The man I spoke to on the phone was very helpful and asked if these were to be considered fraudulent transactions, and after my confirmation I was transferred to their fraud department. As it turns out I was really the victim of credit card fraud, and they immediately acknowlegded it as such too.

In two days time a total of $1500 USD had been charged onto my card by someone in the beginning of August. The lady from the fraud department was also very kind and helpful. She told me not to worry, my card would be blocked immediately and I would be reimbursed for the money. Two thumbs up to my credit card company, I’m happy it will be solved this way but at the same time it has me worried a whole lot more about the safety of our personal information.

I truly hope they catch this person. I can’t get my head around why someone would feel it is OK to take something that isn’t theirs. Whether that’s money or property, it doesn’t matter. IT IS NOT YOURS SO HANDS OFF.

After finding out and arranging things with my credit card company I started thinking how this could have happened. I used it very little this month, only in safe places as far as I’m aware and the card itself wasn’t stolen. That’s when I realised they can read out your cards from a distance!

Yes, you read that right; these days bank cards, credit cards and even passports and ID cards have RFID chips. There are readers you can apparently buy online rather cheaply to read out those chips (as they give off Radio Frequencies) and as far away as 10 feet (approx. 3,5 meters) can pick up the chips and get your data! How scary is that.

That’s what I think happened here. Someone read out my card, I don’t know how else this could have happened.

So let this be a warning, watch your cards be aware they can read out those chips. I’m investing in an RFID blocking wallet which will also hold my passport if needed. Even if that wasn’t the way my info was obtained it makes me feel a little safer!

Image Courtesy of Sura Nualpradid