I get naked pictures of virgins!

[susandennis]

I was checking my Discover bill today as I routinely do and found a $79.99 charge from yesterday that was to an internet billing company... I called the 800 number and discovered that I had purchased a 4-month subscription to a website that features photos of virgins (and I had no idea you could tell by looking!)... And I used my Comcast internet account (which I don't have) and a yahoo email address I'd never heard of.

So, I have a not very clever credit card thief on my hands. The internet billing company easily verified it wasn't me and said they would credit my account within 5 days.

I called Discover. They could not have been nicer and said that it was totally up to me but strongly advised me to close the account and open a new one. ARUGH. I've had the same Discover number for more than a decade. I use it for everything. I have a Visa and an American Express but they are backups #1 and #2 respectively. My Discover Card is my lifeline to goods and services... I don't want a new number... But, they are right. Having the same number for more than a decade is probably exactly why I should get a new one. So I did. The security lady is sending it overnight - via Fed Ex which means I'll probably never see it.

But meanwhile I have no Discover card, number or account to use. I'm now making my list of all the stuff that I have automatically charged to my Discover card. I'm going to have to get in touch with all of them and change the number. Oh joy, oh rapture. And a big UGH. She did say that any credits that come in - as well as my cash back bonus - will be transferred to the new account.

This asshole stupid thief couldn't have signed me up for something fun like the Steak of the Month club or at least naked buff guys... Maybe it was virgin guys - nah...

Comments

[geordie.livejournal.com]

I use MBNA shopsafe which generates a new number for every transaction. I even have my FastTrak (automatic toll payer) account on a one time card. I read the bit where they said they'd debit what they felt like and didn't like it much, but then that's a $130 card, so it's not like they can do much damage :-) I'll keep an eye on it and give them another number when that account gets low.

Anyway... these one time numbers are usually good for 1-2 months, for $5 more than the bill should be and can only be used at the first place that bills to them.

Any chance of getting the moron for credit card fraud?

[susandennis]

Discover has those 1/2 time use cards and I should use them, I know. But, the idea makes my brain hurt. I think I need about one more attack and I'll be convinced. I've been so lucky.

And, yeah, the internet billers thought that he/she was pretty easy pickin's since they didn't bother to hide any info. The Discover lady even said that it sounded so lame that someone might have just gotten a digit or two wrong. But... whatever.

I now have my list of places I need to fix when I get my new card...

[edbook.livejournal.com]

I take checks or money orders or paypal or cash or even silver or gold so you don't need no stinkin' Discover card...

Peace

[susandennis]

You don't fool me any... I could talk you out of about anything, I bet! But, those snots at Albertson's/Netflix/Totalchoicehosting/Qwest/Comcast... and their ilk seem completely impervious to my charms. Can you imagine???

[(Anonymous)]

Credit card fraud is rarely prosecuted and the banks are cagey at the extent of fraud. (My dad's former company had an employee who was filching #s off orders. The police wouldn't prosecute.)

I too just had a mysterious charge pop up on my card last month. I have no idea what it was for because the company is obviously a shell (on the statement: international-wd.com, tacoma phone number and bank transaction done in california). the site has nothing, and the business is registered by some kind of privacy service based in NYC. Neither the web site nor the phone number had any information.

-- jim c

p.s. i bought a chocolate bar at trader joe's and can make you a cream cheese brownie next week (of 8/9) if you're interested.

[susandennis]

REALLY??? Interested? Absolutely! Wow.