Subject: RE: GAH!If the charge was fraudulent, I'd be thankful the bank shut down your card. Would have been nice to inform you, though! I also had a card apparently hacked last fall by someone who was posting charges from Florida (where I haven't gone for 30+ years ) while I was overseas in Australia and Vietnam. The bank never informed me, despite charges made (in one case ) by me the same day in Australia! Only noticed because I went to check my balance before entering some races and making travel arrangements; they'd been going on for about ten days. I was lucky as they were fairly small charges for food and gas that totaled (I think ) about $200.
When I contacted my bank (which is an epic, expensive undertaking from here--800 numbers and collect calls don't work, and one can spend over an hour on hold! ), I recall the service guy saying that a couple other people who'd had recent card purchases or entries with IM Corp. (which I think charges through a Florida address ) had reported issues, and that maybe the IM site had been hacked (though I never heard that from IM Corp. themselves--could just be coincidence ).
Anyway, I was able to set up something where I get an instant e-mail alert if a transaction is made online or without the card physically present. I think most major banks offer this service. It might not prevent fraud but at least you would know right away if you had not made those purchases, and be able to shut down the card quickly. |