OT but important

[candid_x]

I learned a valuable lesson today, which I'm passing on to you.

I received a call from a long distance web calling card company, to verify if I used their service to place a call to Viet Nam. The pre-purchased card was paid for using my bank card number. Upon contacting my bank, I learned that another recent online purchase was made, using my card for payment; a company called myfamily.com. It wasn't hard to put those pieces together, that the thief is one and the same person for both bank card fraud offenses.

The card has been canceled and a new one is being issued.

But, here is what I learned about online purchases:

Online businesses update their security system often, just as you or I might update our anti-virus software on our PC. When you access these online stores through your Favorites or Bookmarks, the website's security updates are not being used. This goes for accessing your online PayPal account or your bank account, as well. When accessing any these accounts, type in the URL manually. Do not use the saved URL shortcuts.

Also, be sure any online store you purchase from uses a 128 bit encryption, so that your personal account information is secured.

This information was passed along to me by Wells Fargo security.

Best to all,
Bruce

 

[jongitarz]

Good advice, Bruce! Thanks!

 

[Warg Master]

YIKES!!

Thanks for the tip!!

Fargo Fargo Fargo!

 

[SteveB]

Well, let me add this: I used to subscribe to ancestry.com (owned by myfamily.com) but I canceled after a few years. Over Christmas vacation 2006, I tried to re-subscribe to take advantage of a great deal. Visa would not allow the transaction. I called them, and they told me that there was just no way that I could charge that service to my Visa card.. Visa had them blocked because of 'problems'.

I think someone must have found a way into that company's transaction system. I'm speculating here, but I've never had that experience. I mean, even after calling Visa they would not let me make the charge.. I've NEVER heard of that!

 

[Colin]

I wished Visa would ban my wife from spending....

 

[candid_x]

Thanks for the heads up...and for scaring the living hell out of me

Just out of curiousity, did Wells Fargo indicate that these security problems are unique to Windows and Internet Explorer? I'm wondering because 95% of my online transactions I do with my Mac, and I hope I haven't given myself a false sense of security...no pun intended.

Thanks again!!!

No, we didn't discuss Macs, OS's or browsers. I'm no genius (fer sure), but some of the hacker thieves are, so my common sense would say: Mac is more secure, no question, but these guys figure it out, eventually.

I check my humble bank account online about twice a week, to watch for any suspicious activity - something else the WF guy recommended.

Mentally going over the online stores I buy from, there were two possible sites which came to mind. One was a huge company with lots on longevity, BUT I had understood from their CS that their online store system wasn't very developed. Then I remembered ordering incense (yeah, am just an old hippie) online, from a small but reputable company. Who knows? I just know that I'm going to continue to be cautious with online transactions.

Fortunately, this thief only managed a couple of relatively small purchases. Could have been much worse.

 

[candid_x]

Steve, r.e. the sites you mentioned, Wells Fargo already had that transaction on hold and under investigation before I even called them. Then he searched other transactions and found the web calling charge on a Verizon pre-paid card.. the one I was calling them (WF) about.

I have to say that I'm really impressed with the way Wells Fargo handled it, or is handling it.

 

[Sub1 Zero]

Thanks for this thread, you may have saved many, many people a lot of trouble...

 

[Trux]

On a similar subject, in my job, I travel a great deal (obviously!) and our airline security folks advised us that when checking out of a hotel, never surrender the keycard if it is one of those magnetic stripe gizmos. Reason being is that all your personal details are on there including credit card details, home address etc.

The hotel staff usually delete the card but it's better not to take a chance.