Monday, August 10, 2009

Theft

Yesterday I got a strange voice mail from the company that watches our Visa card through America First Credit Union. The message pretty much just said that they needed either Ryan or I to call them back asap concerning our Visa card. So, Ryan called them and found out that someone tried using our credit card to get $1600 in travelers checks, in Las Vegas, on Sunday morning. The transaction was declined and flagged, and that's why they called us. Ryan looked in his wallet to see if his card was missing, it was not. I didn't have my wallet with me (we were at Ryan's parent's house), so we assumed that my card must be missing. When we got home I looked in my wallet, my card wasn't missing either.
So, this morning Ryan called the bank to find out more details. He told them that we have our cards, so how could this happen? Evidently there is a new technology out there.... after you swipe your card, someone can come after you and swipe a card, getting your information. They then make a fake Visa with your magnetic code on the back, your card number on the front, and your name on the card. Great news huh? Someone swiped a card after one of us and made a fake card of ours. Can you believe it? So, our cards are cancelled and I think I am going to a cash only system. They would have totally gotten away with it if they had done something local and not for such a huge amount (dumb thief). What a pain.
So, everyone be warned. They could this to you too..... at the grocery store, the gas station, the post office, the pharmacy, anywhere. It is scary!

4 comments:

DeLong Family Members: said...

WOW!! I can't believe that happened to you. It is so sad what this life is coming to. Thanks for the warning. Maybe cash only isn't a bad idea--plus I would probably spend less too. MOM

erika said...

That totally happened to us JUST LAST MONTH on our American Express. Someone in the UK charged over $4000 on Todd's card. Crazy huh? Luckily we caught it in time too.
I'm glad to hear that you were able figure out how the little buggers get our card #'s.....it is scary.

Loughmiller's said...

Ok, this is pretty scary. It makes me want to go to cash too.

I found a website where they are having a cake contest. I thought of you. Go to

http://bakerella.blogspot.com/

I hope you send in your picture.

Jessica said...

We had this happen when we lived in Alabama - luckily our card company flagged it as well.