# I got SCAMMED. Bugger.
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [August 30, 2018, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505 "2018-08-30T04:38:40Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2018, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505/1 "2018-08-30T04:38:40Z")
Now I can proudly say that, to my knowledge, I have never been actively scammed. I might have paid an inflated price for stuff bought in SE Asian markets, or slightly overcharged by taxis there, but never scammed, until now.
I purchased a couple of pairs of sandals from an online merchandiser about 3 weeks or so ago. The money was duly withdrawn from my Visa account, and I waited patiently for the delivery.
And waited, and waited…so this morning I went to jump on the website to inquire where the hell my sandals were, only to find the website has just disappeared into the ether. And googling the name just brought up lots and LOTS of people screaming SCAM SITE, all reviews posted within the last three weeks. ☹
The thing that most pissed me off (apart from breaking a stellar non-scammed record) was having to ring my bank to cancel the card. I doubt I shall ever see the money again (my bank _has_ started an investigation) but meh, caveat emptor yada yada.
Oh, and no Birkenstocks for this old bird it seems. 😃
---
### Author:  [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2018, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505/2 "2018-08-30T04:48:20Z")
If you used a credit card, ya gots rights.
You will survive. Painlessly.
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### Author:  [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2018, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505/3 "2018-08-30T04:50:11Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#):
>
> If you used a credit card, ya gots rights.
>
> You will survive. Painlessly.
Wasn’t a CC, was a Visa debit card.
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### Author:  [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2018, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505/4 "2018-08-30T04:54:15Z")
Debit card I assume? Obviously with a credit card you’re fine.
Even so, Visa makes pretty sweeping claims:
> [@](#):
>
> Visa’s Zero Liability\* Policy is our guarantee that you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your account or account information. You’re protected if your Visa credit or debit card is lost, stolen or fraudulently used, online or offline.
> **[Visa Chip Technology](https://usa.visa.com/partner-with-us/payment-technology/visa-chip-technology-overview.html)**
>
> Visa chip technology—confdents in a smarter world. Every time a chip credit card is used, a unique code is created for an additional layer of security.
Most of that seems to be talking about fraudulent use when you didn’t give your card details. But what you’re talking about is still fraud. Seems like it’s worth sending your card issuer that link and pushing the issue as hard as you can.
But really… never wise to be using a debit card for online purchases.
---
### Author:  [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2018, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505/5 "2018-08-30T05:01:44Z")
Sorry to hear about this. Bugger is right.
But yes, if your DC was a Visa, I think you can get your money back. I hope so!
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### Author:  [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2018, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505/6 "2018-08-30T05:03:33Z")
Agree with the others, dispute the charge. Tell them the product never arrived and you can no longer get in contact with the merchant.
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### Author:  [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2018, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505/7 "2018-08-30T05:21:03Z")
Yeah, I have disputed the charge and my bank have opened an investigation into the debit.
Just not going to hold my breath is all. 😉
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### Author:  [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2018, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505/8 "2018-08-30T06:02:15Z")
Bullsheet. It’s a Visa. You should get your money back.
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### Author:  [@blob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blob)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2018, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505/9 "2018-08-30T07:25:06Z")
I’ve done chargebacks on a debit card.
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### Author:  [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2018, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505/10 "2018-08-30T11:41:23Z")
> [@kambuckta](#):
>
> Wasn’t a CC, was a Visa debit card.
That was a mistake.
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### Author:  [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2018, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505/11 "2018-08-30T11:47:02Z")
Don’t feel too bad. I know a guy who gets scammed on a regular basis. You, I suspect, will learn from this. Some folks never do.
And do you _really_ want to wear Birkenstocks? 😉
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### Author:  [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2018, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505/12 "2018-08-30T11:49:59Z")
The bigger concern should not be the missing sandals - but the fact this particular company now has that DC/CC information - I would be canceling that card immediately.
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### Author:  [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2018, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505/13 "2018-08-30T12:33:29Z")
Think kambuckta mentioned he was cancelling it in the OP.
It’s hard not to get scammed these days; at least it wasn’t a huge purchase and apparently you caught it in time to prevent further damage. I think Visa will probably do the right thing and reimburse you.
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### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2018, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505/14 "2018-08-30T12:35:40Z")
I _might_ have been scammed last night, but I’m ok with it.
I ate dinner at a Mexican restaurant. When I left it was raining. A guy standing in the rain told me his car had run out of gas and his credit card was declined. He was traveling home to Harrisburg. I gave him $10. Maybe I was scammed, but it must suck to be in that situation for reals and I didn’t want to be my usual, cynical self.
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### Author:  [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2018, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505/15 "2018-08-30T12:46:50Z")
It’s not all that hard to check to see how long a web site has been around.
E.g., a WHOIS [lookup](https://www.whois.net/) for the Straight Dope gives:
Domain Name: [STRAIGHTDOPE.COM](http://STRAIGHTDOPE.COM)
Registry Domain ID: 6067\_DOMAIN\_COM-VRSN
Registrar WHOIS Server: [whois.networksolutions.com](http://whois.networksolutions.com)
Registrar URL: [http://networksolutions.com](http://networksolutions.com)
Updated Date: 2017-10-09T17:38:46Z
Creation Date: 1995-12-23T05:00:00Z
Note the Creation Date line.
Just Googling the site name should tell you a lot. Adding “reviews” to the search can also provide even more info.
---
### Author:  [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2018, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505/16 "2018-08-30T13:27:07Z")
There are two ways to make a purchase with a branded debit card.
One is to enter your PIN, just like when you get money from an ATM. This is common at point-of-sale systems; I am not sure how common it is for online purchases. This processes the transaction through the bank’s debit network, and you have little or no protection against merchant fraud.
If, on the other hand, you use it just like a credit card, it is processed through the association’s network (Visa, in this case) and you should have the same protections as if you used a regular credit card.
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### Author:  [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2018, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505/17 "2018-08-30T15:31:17Z")
> [@ftg](#):
>
> It’s not all that hard to check to see how long a web site has been around.
>
> E.g., a WHOIS [lookup](https://www.whois.net/) for the Straight Dope gives:
>
> Domain Name: [STRAIGHTDOPE.COM](http://STRAIGHTDOPE.COM)
> Registry Domain ID: 6067\_DOMAIN\_COM-VRSN
> Registrar WHOIS Server: [whois.networksolutions.com](http://whois.networksolutions.com)
> Registrar URL: [http://networksolutions.com](http://networksolutions.com)
> Updated Date: 2017-10-09T17:38:46Z
> Creation Date: 1995-12-23T05:00:00Z
>
> Note the Creation Date line.
>
> Just Googling the site name should tell you a lot. Adding “reviews” to the search can also provide even more info.
Cool.
Domain Name: [FACEBOOK.COM](http://FACEBOOK.COM)
Registry Domain ID: 2320948\_DOMAIN\_COM-VRSN
Registrar WHOIS Server: [whois.registrarsafe.com](http://whois.registrarsafe.com)
Registrar URL: [http://www.registrarsafe.com](http://www.registrarsafe.com)
Updated Date: 2018-07-23T18:17:13Z
Creation Date: 1997-03-29T05:00:00Z
Registry Expiry Date: 2028-03-30T04:00:00Z
---
### Author:  [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2018, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505/18 "2018-08-30T15:37:28Z")
My debit card has been compromised a couple of times. My credit union has always given me my money back and given me a new card. The first time I had to file a police report in order for them to be able to do it. The next time it was no questions asked.
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### Author:  [@Lurking\_Quahog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lurking_Quahog)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2018, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505/19 "2018-08-30T15:41:00Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#):
>
> Don’t feel too bad. I know a guy who gets scammed on a regular basis. You, I suspect, will learn from this. Some folks never do.
>
> And do you _really_ want to wear Birkenstocks? 😉
This could be the first time I’ve ever seen a Deadhead (assumption made based on your avatar) dissuading someone from wearing Birkenstocks. 😉
---
### Author:  [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2018, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-scammed-bugger/820505/20 "2018-08-30T23:13:37Z")
> [@kambuckta](#):
>
> I purchased a couple of pairs of sandals from an online merchandiser about 3 weeks or so ago. The money was duly withdrawn from my Visa account, and I waited patiently for the delivery.
I honestly would not count this as being scammed, you purchased an item from a website that looked perfectly legit. Ran through the process, only to find out there was no product.
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