Credit Card night phone call from the Bank

[sarah_louise]

I do a lot of Internet Buying but heed all the warnings about Credit Card safety, secure sites and padlocks
Nevertheless I got a very late phone call from my Bank (I didnt even trust that but rang back the number on the card).
Someone was paying their very large hotel bill online with my credit card at that moment and it was only declined because they said "It was not the sort of thing I normally do !.
That means they must have my name, card number and the security number on the back doesnt it ?
What on earth can we do if this sort of thing is now almost inevitable ?

[Ethel]

I have today emailed my credit card company because I used it online to pay for goods which I received - but something was niggling and I have a feeling that strange transactions could appear sometime in the future. I asked for a new card with a different security code.
They said 'no' - they won't do anything unless something does happen; I won't be liable in any case and it won't be my problem.

It seems your card company is acting responsibly, sarah. Thank goodness they took the steps they did - it is true you wouldn't be liable, but you may have had a stressful few weeks sorting it out

[sarah_louise]

I should have said Ethel that they immediately changed the card number and re-issued the card so feel OK now but how is it happening.?
With Online sales you dont need your chip and pin info of course so that is no help to security.
The transaction I suspected like you told me they did not get any card details just an authorisation of payment on the Protx system whatever that is.

[squarebear]

Do you buy from trusted sites that you know though? Anyone can set up a https site and accept payments. Once they have your credit card, they can do what they want.

[Ethel]

I suspect this is how it could have happened in your case - a few weeks ago, or even months ago, you used that card to make a purchase over the internet, or by phone.

To do this you would have given at least your full name, address, card number, expiry date and security number on the back.

That information has been used either by an employee of that company, or sold by an employee.

That is enough information for a crook to use your card by phone or internet.

The card I use mostly online is Tesco. Before the transaction goes through, I get a pop up window from Tesco asking me for certain letters from a predefined password. If I can't give those three letters, the transaction is refused. There is no way the retailer can access any part of this security process, so it does go some way to preventing fraud.

Another card provider has issued me with a swipe reader. I pass the card through that for a generated number that must be used in a pop up - a similar method to Tesco.

I shall cease using the cards that have no such measures in place for absent transactions, I think.

[sarah_louise]

90% of purchases are Amazon.Co.Uk I think with 1 Click shopping setting. (This may not be a good idea I suppose)
Apart from that Recent transactions were a bookseller in Germany through AbeBooks.

[Ethel]

There is nothing wrong with 'one click shopping' if it's a condition that goods are delivered to you, and your pc isn't likely to get stolen.

[elcee45]

I have twice been hit by credit card fraud it was both on a web based credit card from TSB, after the first time they issued a new number but I was hit again. Both times there was not a problem and it was just written off. I closed the account
I now use a new card from a different company. I registered for protection which now asks for an authorisation code that only I know the answer to, in addition to the usual name numbers and security code.

[Ethel]

I always use my credit card abroad - especially as s.75 of the Consumer Credit Act now extends to use worldwide.

And my bank makes no charges for me doing so.

[Ethel]

A lot safer than carrying cash, legend.

[Ethel]

I pay my credit card in full every month - never had a problem using it at home online, or in shops and stores where ever I go. So it doesn't cost me a penny. If it gets lost or stolen I have lost nothing.

Most businesses in Tenerife take credit cards.

Buy a dodgy or faulty item in Tenerife with cash and your stuck. You'll get your money back if you use a credit card.

[Ethel]

I am fully conversant with the Consumer Credit Act, thanks, Legend, and I would never buy from the dodgy shops you are talking about.

Yes, I show my passport when I use the credit card, although a lot of the businesses I deal with know me very well and don't keep asking to see it.

I expect to spend over �12k while I'm there this year, maybe �20k - and most of it will be on my credit card.

Don't forget that a credit card holder is not liable for fraud activities on the credit card - it may take a bit of sorting out, but isn't too much of a problem.

[Ethel]

I don't get charged with the personal cards I have thanks - no conversion fees, nothing.

I don't pay anything for the apartment in Tenerife and it suits me very well. Most of the spending is for business and all the sellers accept credit cards.

[gulliver1]

What is a Nat West Card Credit/Debit or what.