Alert - STC SAWA Credit Card Fraud

[The Merg]

Originally Posted by Peter Cornstalk

Apparently you never heard about this:

http://www.infoworld.com/infoworld/a...sesdata_1.html

They don't directly say if there was credit card info in the batch, but that doesn't mean there wasn't.

Actually I had heard about it, but I was lucky in that my information was not on those tapes (Citibank contacted all affected customers), although I still put a fraud alert on my credit at that time just to be safe. JPMorgan/Chase also had a similar issue last year.

Originally Posted by Peter Cornstalk

You are not responsible for fraudulent charges, so there is no reason why you would not use a credit card in any case.

I know that I would not be responsible for the fraudulent charges. My concern is that if someone has my credit card information, assuming they didn't just skim the number from my card or copied down the number when I paid with it, it is possible they have other information about me as well. And with that information we delve into the whole identity fraud venue.

FWIW, this is the second time my I had a card used fraudulently. The last time was in 1995 when a company called me up to verify my order of a Brother word processor since the shipping address was different than my billing address. When I told them I hadn't ordered anything, they canceled the order. I then contacted Citibank and canceled the card.

- Merg

[Rathar]

Ok. I had the same thing happen to me. But they got me 4 times before I contacted the bank.

I didn't use that card to make any purchases at any type of store.

It looks like the last time I used it was when my wife purchased something from Oriental Trading Co.

Not sure if any of you have used them or not. It could have been something else. I don't know. It was a Master Card that got tagged. But my bank was Navy Federal Credit Union. So I don't think it has anything to do with banks.

Ray

[The Merg]

Rathar:

How long ago was the last time the card was used?

- Merg

[Spiritglow]

Originally Posted by The Merg

I just wanted to post a warning about a credit card fraud issue that occurred to me recently.

On 07/13, I received a call from Citibank of possible fraudulent charges on my Mastercard. Apparently there were two $80 charges for STC SAWA RECHARGE made on my card on 07/12 at 1812 hrs. STC SAWA are prepaid phone cards from the Saudi Telecom Company in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Citibank was only able to tell me that the charge was made via telephone or web and that a card was not swiped.

Searching on the internet, I found another person who was the victim of fraud with the same charges only a few days before me, so it appears that this might be more than a one-time thing. I have not been able to get in touch with the other person to see what sites we have in common that we placed internet orders with.

Of course, we immediately canceled that card number and had new cards issued. No other fraudulent charges have shown up. We also placed fraud alerts on our credit with the major credit bureaus.

I consider myself to be a well-informed internet shopper in that I use reputable companies, make sure that credit card purchases are made via secure connections, and routinely check my credit card statement. Of course, I'm upset that something like this happened, but if I can use it to help other people protect themselves, I can live with it.

- Merg

I was popped for four 80 dollar charges by STC Sawa Recharge on a Compass Bank card. Two on Saturday 7-21-2007 and two this morning 7-24-2007. I just happened to check my balance today and discovered the charges. I cancelled the card. I have been extremely careful to use secure online payments to major vendors. About a week ago I think my home computer was hacked. I came home to an anti-virus message saying that my boot sector had changed. Once I clicked ok to the message the computer promptly rebooted! After trying to fix it I gave up and low level formatted the entire hard drive and started over. Rarely is my card out of my possession, only at restaurants. Usually fast food places like Whataburger in drive throughs when I'm low on cash.

Spiritglow

[blondies]

Hi - this happends here in sweden too

WARNING ABOUT STC SAWA RECHARGE

They charge via NordeaBanken AB - Visa Card:
25/7 2007 540 SEK (Swedish krona)
25/7 2007 540 SEK

I have change my Visa so they can't transfer more cash!!!

Hope all be extra carefull with credit cards!

Click here

And here

[ndraper]

Thanks for your post. I had these charges on my card and search the internet for stc sawa and read your post. I immediately canceled my card and disputed the charges. I buy on the internet all the time and have never had a problem. However, I download my charges daily so that if something like this happens I know it immediately instead of waiting to get a statement. I strongly suggest anyone who buys on the internet download frequently to monitor your charges,.

[Mad_as_Hell]

These lowlifes hit me SIX TIMES in a matter of moments. $480 gone just like that. I cancelled my card and filed a dispute - I just hate being out $500 for a week or so. I hope they are caught and their hands get chopped off.

[Peter Cornstalk]

Originally Posted by Mad_as_Hell

These lowlifes hit me SIX TIMES in a matter of moments. $480 gone just like that. I cancelled my card and filed a dispute - I just hate being out $500 for a week or so. I hope they are caught and their hands get chopped off.

If you file a dispute, the credit card company should carry that balance with no interest for as long as the dispute takes.

You are really not out the money.

[Mad_as_Hell]

I know I'll get the money back - it's the principle. It's the inconveinience and life disruption and being put into a compromising position by some piece of sh*t on the other side of the planet that will in all likelyhood continue to screw people care-free until they get tired of doing it.... The card they got was my check card from a small local bank - and I'm not Bill Gates - these thieves left me with about $200 in my account - it will take my local bank around two weeks to get the money back to me - IF I'M LUCKY - I have to go to the bank to get pocket money - or find places that will take checks - and I STILL DON"T KNOW HOW THEY GOT MY NUMBER! SO I feel like I can't protect myself from this happening again - I have firewalls up, McAffee's full version and Spyware Doctor all installed and constantly running and they STILL got my card number. I scan my computer three times a week and update frequently. I'm just saying that it will be a long time, posssibly NEVER, before I type my credit card number in again - goodbye online shopping.

[Inquisition]

I just had this happen to me as well!
I bank at Security Service Federal Credit Union, and they were fantastic at catching the charges, and freezing my card.
The ONLY online purchase that I have made with my card in the last few months is a World of Warcraft subscription. I intend to contact them to make sure they have not been compromised.