I had my debit card stolen once and about $400 in fraudulent charges were made. They didn’t even investigate: they just credited me the money. I am pretty sure I did all this through email and snail mail: I never even talked to anyone. I suspect it would have been more complicated if it had been more money, or if it kept happening, but as a one time thing from a customer in good standing? Apparently that was chump change and they took my word.
Well… I got a letter from the state comptroller’s office today. Yes, I was one of the millions that had my SSN potentially exposed by the state. Lots of administrative BS, they’ve got a website, too free number, etc. (How’d you like to be on the receiving end of some of those calls?)
Am I worried? A little, but I’m reasonable. I have good credit and check it regularly. Still, it sucks that you’re careful and your government exposes you to bad guys and the like.
Now here’s kudos to one bank that takes this stuff seriously. This morning, I purchased an app for my iPhone for $3, I then purchased some storage from google for $5, and finally, after many years of procrastinating, I joined my uni’s alumni association.
I had to go to a special website, enter a code, etc. for a discounted rate. I typed in my info, including my credit card number (from memory) and submitted it. I got a “we were not able to process your transaction message” so thinking that I got the numbers wrong, I pull out my card and type it in again. Looks the same, and I get the same message… And then the phone rings.
It was the Chase fraud department. They wanted me to verify my identity, and asked if I recognized and had authorized the charges from this morning! This all took place less than 5 minutes after my failed web transaction and about 2 hours after the morning purchases.
Someone committed fraud on an account of mine in grad school. Bank of America alerted me a week later by mail. So color me impressed by Chase’s swift action.
Ad interim, what should I do to monitor my identity since there’s a chance some jerk had access to my social security number?