Debit card fraud

[MartinQ]

Today I received a phone call from my bank saying they have stopped a fairly sizable online transaction at Asda (never shopped there) a few days ago and another similar sized one at Tesco this morning - both for home delivery. Initially I was thankful that their systems picked it up (presumably since it was being delivered to a different address), but then I tried to work out when and where my details were compromised.

I went through all my recent transactions and there were very few card payments and the only one it could have been was at a national chain tool and hardware retailer for an over the counter transaction. I have never previously shopped there. They asked for my address which was printed on the invoice, but I can't remember if I handed my card over (to be skimmed) or kept it in my hand. I did pay by chip and pin. Is there another way they could get the details (tampered pin terminal, or even hidden camera?)

I don't know what I'm asking in particular, other than has anyone else heard of issues at this retailer? I'm not going to mention the name for obvious reasons, but part of the name may consist of part of my user name

I also suspect nothing will ultimately be done, but I can still hope someone gets nailed for it. bds

[Nollub]

I think this illustrates the absurdity of the Data Protection Act or whatever legislation is used to prevent this being sorted out almost immediately in cases like yours.

Why, oh why, cannot the police turn up with the home delivery and nick whoever ordered the goods. I know this needs resources but this type of crime is costing millions and millions, maybe the banks should finance the cost since their losses would be reduced significantly as a result.

There must be thousands of cases like this where the thieves could easily be caught and dealt with and with any luck this might discourage others from trying the same trick if they see others being caught and appropriately punished (fined or imprisoned or whatever).

[Nollub]

Sorry repost in error!

Edited by Nollub on Sunday 10th March 13:36

[Nollub]

Sorry, repost in error!

Edited by Nollub on Sunday 10th March 13:36

[MartinQ]

I heard you the first time

But I agree with you. This must be one of the easiest arrests possible and yet they almost certainly won't do anything.

[Nickyboy]

Had my debit skimmed somewhere last month, they bought 2 lots of fried chicken, purchased a website builder and then had 13 transactions on Backpage. Got my money back but i'm pretty sure tracing them through the chicken purchases as they were both home delivery.

[Deva Link]

MartinQ said:

But I agree with you. This must be one of the easiest arrests possible and yet they almost certainly won't do anything.

Mine was used to buy plane tickets, and for currency conversion in a bank. You'd think they could turn up at the airport and arrest whoever was using the tickets or look at the bank CCTV.

What I think is a bit odd is that I have 4 credit cards and a debit card, but it was the same credit card that was scammed on 3 separate occasions. OK, that could be due to the type of use I put that card to (mainly online transactions) but I stopped using it after the 3rd time and the card I use instead has been fine.

What struck me about the whole thing was the attitude of the credit card company - they came across each time as if they couldn't have cared less.

[sunbeam alpine]

Unfortunately nobody seems to be interested in investigating this kind of crime, possibly because it is viewed as vicimless as you get your money back.

I was a victim a year ago, and as I am not currently UK-based and had only used my card 3 times in the UK round Christmas-time - in the bank itself, a small family-run shop in our village and at a restaurant (my chief suspect), I also felt that it would be easy to investigate, but the bank weren't interested.

[bigandclever]

MartinQ said:

Is there another way they could get the details (tampered pin terminal, or even hidden camera?)

Yep, someone could go through your wallet and put the card back. But no-one ever thinks that could happen. Or when you hand your card to 'someone' it gets palmed through a skimmer on the way to the legitimate terminal.

[maffski]

Chip and pin machines have been compromised (certainly by security researchers, not sure about in the wild), but the chip doesn't contain the security code (3 digits off the back of the card), this is only used for internet/telephone orders - have you bought anything online recently? Your PC or the company/website your used could be compromised.

[Deva Link]

Pioneer said:

It's not victimless, the retailer will lose the money when the transaction is reversed to refund you.

...yes, I contacted one once (jeweller selling stuff online) and he wasn't at all happy. Apparently they should never have sent the item to a different address.

I also think a lot of it is internal at the bank or credit card company and that's another reason why they don't make a song and dance about it. I was amazed how easy it was each time.
I wonder if there are any behind the scenes checks to make sure people haven't gone on a wild spending spree and then said their card's been scammed?

[Rollin]

I was a victim once and I know exactly where it happened. Bank weren't interested and just refunded. They wouldn't have been able to investigate without my info as it didn't happen as part of a purchase.