$ Disappearing out of Account

[lmam88]

For the second time in 3wks. my husband found suspious charges on his checking account. First time when I called to inquire about what the money was taken out for they said he had ordered teeth whitening kit ($50.00). My husband told them he had not ordered anything like that and they did put the $ back into his account. When I called on this latest charges (x2) the lady would not identify who she was with and said she could not find any orders in our zip code or under our last name. She wanted me to give her our card number and I said, "NO WAY"!
What can we do about this and how can we put a stop to it once and for all?

[Webmaster]

Um... how about calling your bank and telling them your account information has been compromised??

[lmam88]

Um... how about calling your bank and telling them your account information has been compromised??

We did. They said they cannot do anything if we do not know where the charges are orginating from. They are saying the only way to stop it is to close down the account and reopen another account.
I know this has happened to others as well and was wondering how it can be stopped.

[Reapp]

Please tell me that it wasn't my department telling you that.

[Webmaster]

We did. They said they cannot do anything if we do not know where the charges are orginating from. They are saying the only way to stop it is to close down the account and reopen another account.
I know this has happened to others as well and was wondering how it can be stopped.
So close the account that's compromised and open a new one. That's how it's done.

[lmam88]

So you are telling me that people like this can continue to steal $ from people and get away with it? That's just wrong!

[Webmaster]

I'm telling you that if they have your account information, then you have to close the account. Period. Otherwise you will be constantly fighting with the bank. If someone had obtained a key to your house and kept letting themselves inside to steal stuff, wouldn't you change the locks? Yes you need to call the police but you need to take steps to protect yourself as well.

[butchkemper]

So you are telling me that people like this can continue to steal $ from people and get away with it? That's just wrong!
You can complain, stamp your foot, and yell if you want to about it being wrong but if you that is all you do, then your account will still be compromised and subject to being plundered.

I would strongly urge you to take the suggestion to close the account. After wards, you can reflect on how the account was compromised and how to avoid it happening again.

Butch

[lmam88]

I am not a child and stamp my feet, Butch.
We will be taking care of the situation tomorrow. We have never had this happen before so I was at a loss.
Thanks for the advice,
lmam88

[hopeful200856]

What bank is this?

[Peaches]

Be careful about ordering anything advertised on television. Your calls are usually answered by people working from home who get additional commissions by "upselling" products. The incentive is there for them to "pad your order."

A friend of mine ordered one onion chopper from a TV ad and paid by electronic debit from her checking account. When her bank statement arrived, she learned she had paid for nine onion choppers (the company only shipped one). She didn't know she could complain to her bank until it was too late to get her money back.

Here's something else you need to check closely...your phone bill.

I was being charged small amounts ($20 or less) each month. I subscribed to an online Verizon thing (I have Verizon DSL) and I thought those charges were related to that. I didn't look closely enough...

Then I got a bill with three of those charges in one month.

I called Verizon and learned my phone account had been "crammed". I was paying for some "services" I didn't want, couldn't use, and had never ordered.

In one case I was told my son had ordered the service. That made us believe the charges stemmed from him signing up for a contest (Be careful what you sign up for...he never passed up an opportunity to win something for "free").

It took months to get my account credited for all the charges. I had been paying those charges for almost two years without realizing it.

[lmam88]

I do not feel comfortable giving out the banks info. sorry.

Peaches it is ironic that you mention the phone thing. We had our phone disconnected just a week ago and not by us! I called to see what the heck was going on and they said they had received a call to disconnect our phone. Tried to blame it on my hubby but I KNOW he did not call them. Those type of things are my department. Had to pay the re-connect fee to get it back on even though I was insistant about it not being us that had called. I expressed concern over the lack of security and they threw it by the wayside. Before the disconnect thing happened we were signed up for just about all the features and they were disappearing one by one. The last to go was our long distance...
This time I told them they could keep all their feature packages until they could show more concern and respect for their customers.
We have had their DSL for about a month now come to think of it. I will DEFINITELY be checking more in depth into it! I love the DSL but if it's going to come at this high of a price then I don't think we need it that bad.
Thanks,
lmam88

[Peaches]

I wouldn't doubt that the bank thing and the phone thing are related, but I have my doubts that the DSL is involved unless somebody has stolen your phone and banking information from your online accounts. This could be a form of identity theft. Maybe you should check with the MFPD - this could become a "trend" (if it isn't already).

See if there is a way to reconcile what your bank can tell you about the missing money (and who took it) with what the phone company can tell you about how "your husband" ordered the service disconnect. I'd just about bet money that somewhere along the line he unknowingly signed up for some type of telephone service that caused your phone to be disconnected. Did your husband enter a contest - possibly one of those contests where you fill out an entry form and drop it in a box on a countertop in some store? If you read the fine print on those, you'll never drop another one!

Hope this helps...

[lmam88]

Peaches, my hubby hates entering any type of contests. He will only buy raffle tickets from the kids if they are trying to raise money for something but that's as close as he gets to entering any type of contests.
Just going to shut it down and start up new and see what happens I guess. Thanks!

[mdarling]

Imam88--What does the bank mean that they can't tell you where the charges are originating from? That's absurd. There has to be a record of what company made the charge and the date it was made. And that company has records of orders and charges. Unless, they are a completely bogus company. I'd also be very concerned that more than the bank info was compromised. Monitor any charge accounts very carefully. If you find strange charges on those, call the company right away. Have them check out the charges, credit your account, and change your account numbers immediately.

[lmam88]

The bank end of it is done. Only had credit cards through them so all of that was changed as well. WHen I called she told me the origin of the charges were not showing up only a phone number.
Thus I called the number and the three ring circus began. REFUSED to give me the name of the business they were with and was adimant about needing our card info to pull up "the order". Told her it was her problem if she could not get it to come up with our zip or last name and she was NOT getting our card info! Very un-nerving and am praying this takes care of it.
I did have to provide Verizon with credit card info when we signed up for DSL and it seems it has taken off from there. The moment our phone was reconnected it has been ringing non stop with phone sales people despite being on the no call list. Thank goodness for call screening features!

[mayflowers]

Imam88, I feel for you. It's very frustrating when those in authority don't take us serious. Or just don't seem to care. Sometimes you have to do your own research.
peaches, you are right about "be careful what you sign up for". Those contests that are set up in malls and stores usually want your information for other reasons.
Some where in the fine print it will say that they will sell or share your information.
It's best to avoid raffles or give aways from strangers.
If you know what I mean.
My mom was signed up for an international calling plan by one of those contests. We know because she had no idea how she got signed up for international calling. Till I asked if she had filled out any thing lately,giving her phone number and address. Sure enough we traced it down to that contest she entered.
With the help of the phone company we canceled the plan.
It's amazing the tactics these scammers are taking.
I actually got signed up for something by one of my credit card providers.
It's so crazy that they claim I agreed. When I remember very clearly explaining to the lady that I did not want it.But sure enough,next thing I know I'm billed for a credit protection plan.
Check your bills.
I'm going to start another thread to tell about what happened to me just this week.
It's a crazy world!

[Peaches]

REFUSED to give me the name of the business they were with and was adimant about needing our card info to pull up "the order". Told her it was her problem if she could not get it to come up with our zip or last name and she was NOT getting our card info! Very un-nerving and am praying this takes care of it.
I did have to provide Verizon with credit card info when we signed up for DSL and it seems it has taken off from there. The moment our phone was reconnected it has been ringing non stop with phone sales people despite being on the no call list. Thank goodness for call screening features!

Imam...This sounds like something this company has been doing for a while. Maybe you could contact the Texas AG's office and file a complaint....The AG would quickly put a stop to such activities in Texas....

[lmam88]

Can I do that without a company name?

[Peaches]

Yes...the AG's office would have access to information concerning the trail of that money from your account to theirs. You may have to call the complaint in, but there's also a good chance this company has already been reported and you could help make the AG's case stronger with your information.

BTW...you do have to sign up for the Do Not Call list again if you haven't already done that....

[lmam88]

Ok then I will call them. I just registered again last week with the do not call list and added our cell phones on there as well.

[carvet44]

I strongly suggest that you change banks. Having worked in two banks, I don't believe you are getting proper information or cooperation.