Whoop, I guess my ATM card got skimmed

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  • Kar98

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    On Tuesday, I mailed something off at the post office in Richardson, at 12:03, got some stuff at the Aldi nearby-ish on Belt Line at 12:12, and at 12:36, somebody successfully pulled $400 out of an ATM at the CVS on 2323 W Illinois in Dallas, and immediately tried again but was denied this time.

    I noticed that transaction at around 9 that night, checked with the wife just in case although I was sure she didn't do it, and called immediately to get both cards blocked. Went to the bank in person the next morning, signed a form stating it wasn't me and requesting both the $400 the perp withdrew and the $150 overdraft charge to be credited back to me. Went to Dallas PD HQ on Lamar to file a report, both just because, and because the bank asked me to, since they'd like their money back also. Detective there stated he won't take a report because I already filed with the bank and depending on whether they'd refund me or not, they would then take a report from whoever had incurred the actual damage.

    Bank has refunded me since, so I guess it's their problem now to have the perp chased down. And I guess getting gas in strange parts of town is something I shouldn't do in the future. In case you're wondering, a skimmer is a device that gets attached to legit card readers by criminals, which,
    while you conduct your transaction, records the magnetic strip and your PIN input, which is then used to make a copy of your card. Chip and PIN is supposed to prevent that, but as long as there's strip readers and cards with strips, that will be an issue.

    Not sure what my conclusions are about this yet. Get gas only at your usual locations? Always prepay inside? Definitely watch out for wonky looking card readers. And monitor your bank account several times a day!
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    majormadmax

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    I always grab and vigorously shake card readers before putting my ATM card in them. I also cover the keyboard with my other hand while I am inputting my PIN. Both can stop such incidents from occurring.

    Sad that we have to take such countermeasures, but it's a fact of life. Sorry to hear you got skimmed, but at least you're getting refunded!
     

    AustinN4

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    On Tuesday, I mailed something off at the post office in Richardson, at 12:03, got some stuff at the Aldi nearby-ish on Belt Line at 12:12, and at 12:36, somebody successfully pulled $400 out of an ATM at the CVS on 2323 W Illinois in Dallas, and immediately tried again but was denied this time.

    Not familiar with Aldi, is that a self serve gas station? If so, is it manned 24 hours, or unmanned? I would think and unmanned station would have a greater chance of having a skimmer.
     
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    Kar98

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    $150 overdraft fee? I would be bank shopping once it is settled.

    Nah. They promptly re-credited me for everything, they are a small Texas bank and they have the best conditions I could find even after trying to shop around. I never have to talk to a phone menu, always personal service. And the $150 was because there were several legit transactions pending which then promptly incurred their very own overdraft fee each.
     
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    Kar98

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    Not familiar with Aldi, is that a self serve gas station? Is so, is it manned 24 hours, or unmanned? I would think and unmanned station would have a greater chance of having a skimmer.

    Aldi is a chain of small German grocery stores. Dollar Store pricing, but HEB-ish products.

    https://www.aldi.us/en/

    There are two Aldi chains, Aldi North and South, in Germany, run by two brothers (ALbrecht DIscount grocers). Aldi South runs Aldi US, and Aldi North bought and runs Trader Joe's.
     
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    Eli

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    Never use your PIN on a standard transaction. Period. It's next to impossible to get refunded on fraud, you got lucky - ask me how I know!
    I strongly suggest getting - and using - an actual Credit Card for day-to-day transactions, and using the ATM/Debit Card only for transactions involving a bank! Credit cards offer a lot of fraud protection, debit cards offer next to none - especially if they get your PIN.

    Eli
     

    ZX9RCAM

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    Why would you pay cash when you could use a CC and get cash back?
    If you could have paid cash, you would also have been able to pay the CC back immediately, and not incurred any interest.
     

    Renegade

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    Went to Dallas PD HQ on Lamar to file a report, both just because, and because the bank asked me to, since they'd like their money back also. Detective there stated he won't take a report because I already filed with the bank and depending on whether they'd refund me or not, they would then take a report from whoever had incurred the actual damage.

    Good to know. In the future, if I see a crime I will not report it to police, since they are only interested in taking reports from those that had incurred the actual damage.
     

    peeps

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    Good to know. In the future, if I see a crime I will not report it to police, since they are only interested in taking reports from those that had incurred the actual damage.
    Dude, what's up with police these days....Having hell trying to get these vehicle burglars arrested, or at least given a trespass warning issued, on the complex my wife manages.. lazy effers!

    Glad you got the cash back, and thanks for the shake card reader tip, hadn't thought of that one.
     

    AustinN4

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    Aldi is a chain of small German grocery stores. Dollar Store pricing, but HEB-ish products.

    So these were inside the store charges at a manned counter? How would somebody have put a skimmer on one of those?

    OK, in post 7 I see you were using a debit card. Still not sure how someone got a skimmer on an in-store check out.

    And I strongly agree with the advice in post 7.
     
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    A.Texas.Yankee

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    Never use your PIN on a standard transaction. Period. It's next to impossible to get refunded on fraud, you got lucky - ask me how I know!
    I strongly suggest getting - and using - an actual Credit Card for day-to-day transactions, and using the ATM/Debit Card only for transactions involving a bank! Credit cards offer a lot of fraud protection, debit cards offer next to none - especially if they get your PIN.

    Eli
    I've had my account hacked a few times, sadly. Bank always reimburses, so far. Over $2000 on one transaction alone last time. I believe the bank gets their money reimbursed (FDIC, etc.).

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    Kar98

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    So these were inside the store charges at a manned counter? How would somebody have put a skimmer on one of those?

    OK, in post 7 I see you were using a debit card. Still not sure how someone got a skimmer on an in-store check out.

    And I strongly agree with the advice in post 7.

    Those were both inside stores, and I mentioned them to illustrate that I, and my card, were clear across town when the perp pulled money out of an ATM at nearly the same time. And I don't think my card got skimmed at either of those locations, but earlier, some time during the past month or two.
     

    JD9305

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    Never use your PIN on a standard transaction. Period. It's next to impossible to get refunded on fraud, you got lucky - ask me how I know!
    I strongly suggest getting - and using - an actual Credit Card for day-to-day transactions, and using the ATM/Debit Card only for transactions involving a bank! Credit cards offer a lot of fraud protection, debit cards offer next to none - especially if they get your PIN.

    Eli

    Listen to this guy. I spend thousands a month through credit cards for my company and for personal use.
     

    Kar98

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    Well we do have a decent CC with a crazy limit. Might have to talk this over with the wife tonight.
     

    JD9305

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    Just be prepared to pay it off monthly and don't get in over your head. We actually make around $400.00 per month combined cash back on 2 different cards. Like I said we spend a shit load because of our company but money back is money back.
     

    AustinN4

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    Just be prepared to pay it off monthly and don't get in over your head. We actually make around $400.00 per month combined cash back on 2 different cards. Like I said we spend a shit load because of our company but money back is money back.

    ^^This^^ Pay it off every single month. DO NOT carry over a balance. I put everything I can on my cards and probably get back as much as JD does and I take mine in big chunks such as international airfares.

    ETA: For the record, I do not and would not have an ATM/Debit card.
     
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    jeepinbanditrider

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    Good to know. In the future, if I see a crime I will not report it to police, since they are only interested in taking reports from those that had incurred the actual damage.

    It'll only get worse around here. I heard though the grapevine yesterday that DPD is about to go on 12 on 12 off shifts 7 days a week because they are that short handed. This is second hand info so can't verify but it makes sense with all the officers and firefighters that have jumped ship since the whole Pension debacle. You're going to be dealing with officers with little patience and in the toilet morale after a few weeks of that crap.
     

    shortround

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    Even legitimate businesses have bad employees.

    We took our mother to brunch not long ago at a nice hotel buffet. I paid with my credit card.

    Not long after getting home, the credit card company called me because someone charged about $800 of merchandise some 180 miles distant, not long after my buffet bill had been charged.

    Since I could not be at two places at the same time, the credit card company closed my account and issued me a new card with a new account number.

    The fraud detection specialist told me not to call the cops, because this hotel's buffet billing was already under surveillance for credit card fraud.

    Turns out the waitress took the card, called some friends, and they used all the info on the card for fraudulent purposes.

    Thankfully, I did not have to pay those charges.

    Be well.
     
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