Community Forums

Alphuse · 07-06-2016, 10:19 AM

My brother and I have both recently order parts form PPL auto parts store in Tx and on the same day we had charged to our accounts false charges to other company's. Our card company took care of the bad charge and issued new cards I was just wanted to know if other people are having the same problem. I have sent PPL an email to let them know.

CampingCajun · 07-06-2016, 11:03 AM

I've dealt with PPL for years & never had any problems with charge cards.

**TonyDi** · 07-06-2016, 11:41 AM

I have dealt with PPL several times, and I've never had an incident.

Old-Biscuit · 07-06-2016, 11:54 AM

Who were the 'other' companies?

I've used PPL for years.

Sometimes items are shipped directly from other source with payment to them vs PPL.

jacwjames · 07-06-2016, 12:37 PM

I've never had a problem with PPL

That being said it just takes one person to commit fraud. If you made any other purchases that day, possibly at a restaurant or other store, the card was compromised.

Dec of 2014 we were in Florida and someone committed fraud against me, 2 different charges on my card, one from a background check company and the other from Sports Authority. The card was only out of my sight 2 times when I went out to eat. I suspect this is where my card info was taken. My card covered the charges. When I got home I called both companies, surprisingly my card company did not inform them of the fraud.

Hikerdogs · 07-06-2016, 01:42 PM

The fraud isn't necessarily committed by someone at the store, or even within the organization. Many times I's done by hackers that get into the clearing house servers. We've had the same thing happen without ever having had the credit card leave the house.

Something ordered online is a great target for a hacker. Also in our area there were several attempts to get credit card information by putting a scanner on the card slot at gas pumps. The scanner didn't interfere with the transaction, but rather just recorded the credit card number, name, security code and expiration date. The information was later used by the hacker or sold to someone else.

vsheetz · 07-06-2016, 03:21 PM

I use a differing credit card for whenever it's out of my hand such as at a restaursnt.

bill06447 · 07-06-2016, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

I use a differing credit card for whenever it's out of my hand such as at a restaursnt.

X2 I have a low limit card that's surrendered solely for these times.

twogypsies · 07-06-2016, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hikerdogs

The fraud isn't necessarily committed by someone at the store, or even within the organization. Many times I's done by hackers that get into the clearing house servers. We've had the same thing happen without ever having had the credit card leave the house.

Something ordered online is a great target for a hacker. Also in our area there were several attempts to get credit card information by putting a scanner on the card slot at gas pumps. The scanner didn't interfere with the transaction, but rather just recorded the credit card number, name, security code and expiration date. The information was later used by the hacker or sold to someone else.

Totally agree with this. Don't blame the store. We were told this by the credit card company when we had an issue.

Credit card companies will cover you with charges you didn't make. It's just a pain because you'll be issued new cards with new numbers. Since our problem we now have two cards - one is used for automatic payments and one is used for purchases and restaurants and entertainment, etc. If that one is compromised it's no problem because we don't have to go and change our auto payments to a new card.

Wayne M · 07-06-2016, 09:11 PM

All merchants have workers, and they can be janitors, clerks, secretaries, etc. One of the biggest ways of CC Fraud is when one of those workers collects the card numbers and sell them for "peanuts" in bulk for to thieves. The thieves purchase or have card writers. They take these bulk numbers and go rent a hotel room. The use the key card the hotel gives them for access and reprogram it for a credit card number they have on hand, then go on a spending spree. This is one of the reason over the years that clerks at checkout counters "use" to ask to see the card and not only look at the face of the card for card source and the last four numbers. Then enter the last four numbers into the system as verification the looked at the card. After so many months that seemed to go away as it was to much time involved to get people through the check-out line and the people complained.

On-line purchases went further asking for expiration date, and eventually the 3 digit CCID on the back of the card.

However, when the card is out of our sight being processed all of this information can be written down and sold in bulk to the highest thief bidder. It's an art and they know what they are doing. Cameras in stores have had some reduction in thievery.

Oh, and when they are done using the hotel card, the return to the hotel and say to the staff that the card does not work in their door. The staff reprograms the card or gives them another one. It starts all over again.

When we walk up to a machine in a store and swipe our card, no one looks at them. The process is done. Stores have limits that they set themselves for card limits. Let's say their limit is $300. Anything that is that amount or higher is processed immediately. Anything less than that amount is processed in batches at the end of shift or periodically throughout the day. Ever go to a gas station fill up then look at your bank account and only see a $1 charge. Just waiting for the batch processing.

The Federal Trade Commission is the clearing house for Identity theft/CC Fraud but the Secret Service is the enforcing agency.

BPoland · 07-07-2016, 06:15 AM

We have a separate bank card that we use when we're on the road. It has money for gas, food, and such. I do not keep that much money in that account. If I need to, I can transfer funds from my main account into the "Travel" account. If it gets compromised, It's not that big of a hit. It also helps keep travel expenses separate.

Wayne M · 07-07-2016, 09:58 AM

One can also put a limit on their CC - whatever they are comfortable with. At least that way they will not loose "all" their money. Most CC companies will make good on someone unauthorized using the CC.

jpharley · 07-07-2016, 01:14 PM

I have a prepaid Visa that I can load with whatever amount I decide. I use this card especially at restaurants where the card is used out of my site. That way, if the card info is stolen, little money will be compromised. My credit union suggested that we get a card like this since we are full timers. And it is one of our credit union's products.

twogypsies · 07-07-2016, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpharley

I have a prepaid Visa that I can load with whatever amount I decide.

Do you get Cash Back with the card? If you use a credit card for all shopping, restaurants, fuel, camp fees, etc. you'd be surprised how much money you can get back - FREE.

We always pay off our credit card every month so we're making money on the card.

Also, there's no reason to put limits on the cards if you monitor your bill each month. If you find a discrepancy just call the credit card company and they'll credit you. You aren't out of any money if the card gets hacked.