credit card fraud

[Cherry Plum]

I have a problem, over the last 2 months I have had 4 credit cards with transactions that were not mine.
They were to paypal, O2 & runescape.
The credit cards were opened purely for balance transfers, I did not register these cards or have I used them to purchase anything.
I applied on the internet, but have not inputted their details onto the internet in any way, I don't think that the credit card company would have put the numbers on the internet either.
I keep or burn all credit card statements & any other items to stop identity fraud.
I am at a loss as to how someone has got hold of these credit card numbers & also how they can use them when they are not registered or without the 3 digit security code on the back.
I have been reimbursed for all charges, but it is time consuming & inconvenient & I wonder what it is going to stop at, it could be my debit cards next.
I am very worried, so if any of you out there have any ideas, please let me know.
Thanks.

 

[Cherry Plum]

Ahh come on guy's no one got any help or advice?
I really am stuck as what to do.

 

[EllieG]

That sounds strange - I've only heard of it happening where someone dishonest is able to record the details from a transaction.

Do the police/credit card companies have any idea how it could have happened ? Maybe someone dishonest at the card company .....

Cancelling and cutting up the affected cards would be the first thing. Don't know that you can do much else other than check your statements very carefully ........

 

[Cherry Plum]

Thanks for the reply Ellie, the credit card company said that the fraudsters will just keep inputting numbers until they find one that works.
But this is four times now, all in the space of 2 months.
I've not tried the police, maybe I should.
The credit cards are all from different companies, so I don't think it could be an inside job, unless there is some kind of database somewhere that contains all our credit card numbers.
I just don't understand why it's been me targeted 4 times with different cards & similar purchases have been made.
Maybe the police will have some idea.

 

[icemoose]

I would definately get hold of the police and ask for a visit from one of their fraud specialists as clearly someone has a way of getting into your personal data. Make sure before the police come you all the documents and everything to prove the 4 times and if nothing else they will offer strong advice on where it might be happening, if they believe someone specifically is targeting you they make even take it further.

Mike

 

[EllieG]

It is very strange you've been hit on different cards.

The only other thing I can think of is whether you've had someone in your house that could have had access to the statements and noted the card details .... you've not had any work done and left someone you don't really know alone for a period of time ??

Hope it doesn't happen again.

 

[Cherry Plum]

Thanks icemoose & Ellie, I will get hold of the police, thanks.
I never leave workmen in the house on their own, but my statements are left in the kitchen & I have been upstairs at times when workmen were doing our conservatory, but they only used the toilet as far as I know.
I am going to have to be very vigilant from now on.
Thanks guys

 

[Karen]

the fact u have been a victim of identity theft means this will go on ur credit reports which is a good thing cos once that happens, any time in the future when u (or someone pretending to be u) tries to get credit, they company supplying the credit will be a lot more cautious in making sure the person applying is really u.

it can be a pain in that u may need to show more proof of ID BUT its better to know they will always be really tuff on looking into ur identity.

i only know this cos my dad had 6 attempts of ID theft 2 yrs ago when he sold his house. (we thin the new owner bought to let and the tenants have been using old post). As i was listed at the address b4 moving to devon, it even shows up on my credit history and my husbands so we always have to show extra proof. a good thing tho, in my book.

xxxx