Kerry L. Thalmann
12-Jun-2006, 14:43
Moderators: I'm not sure if this is the right category for my post. If not, please feel free to move it to a more appropriate location.
I had a great time at the Large Format Conference in Rockford. I enjoyed seeing many old friends and meeting a few new ones as well.
However, I just learned that a fraudulent attempt was made today against the credit card I used during my trip. As I haven't used this credit card for anything other than this trip during the past month, I believe someone at one of the merchants I paid by credit card in Rockford, or on my way to/from the conference stole my credit card information and has attempted to make a fraudulent charge against my account. I am posting this as a warning to anyone who may have used the same merchants while attending the conference. So, check your statements, or better yet call your credit card company and check for any recent suspicious activity.
The fraudulent attempt against my credit card was an attempted Western Union money transfer for an amount in excess of $700. The attempt was made this afternoon (Monday 6/12) I only used my credit card four times during this trip. The merchants that had access to my credit card numbr were:
The Best Western Clocktower Resort - Although my room was pre-paid, they took my credit card imprint when I checked in to cover any room service, long distance phone calls, etc. I ended up not having any charges against my card, but they did/do have my complete credit card info in their files. One of their employees could have easily copied my credit card info from the imprint.
Calumet Photographic - I made a purchase at the trade show, but I know these guys and have no reason to suspect them of any wrong doing.
Van Galder Bus Company - This is the bus service I used to get to/from the conference from O'Hare airport. However, I purchased my round trip bus ticket in advance using their secure web server. No employee of the company had access to my credit card information while I was at the conference.
The Machine Shed - This is a restaurant a couple blocks from the Clocktower Resort. Restaurants are a nortorius source of stolen credit card info. It used to be a problem with thieves getting credit card info off the carbons used to run your credit card. These days, with no carbons, the thief simply writes down you credit card info while they have the card in their possession. However, at this restaurant, the waitress does not take your credit card. You take it to the cashier and they run your card right there in front of you. So, I am less suspicious than I'd normally be that this restaurant is the source of my stolen credit card info.
Fortunately, my credit card company called me within minutes of this fraudulent attempt, blocked the charge, and closed my account to prevent any further faud attempts.
While it is convenient to use credit cards when traveling, and eliminates the need to carry a lot of cash, I'm beginning to wander if it's worth it. After this, I may go back to the old fashioned way of paying only with cash and traveller's checks.
Kerry
I had a great time at the Large Format Conference in Rockford. I enjoyed seeing many old friends and meeting a few new ones as well.
However, I just learned that a fraudulent attempt was made today against the credit card I used during my trip. As I haven't used this credit card for anything other than this trip during the past month, I believe someone at one of the merchants I paid by credit card in Rockford, or on my way to/from the conference stole my credit card information and has attempted to make a fraudulent charge against my account. I am posting this as a warning to anyone who may have used the same merchants while attending the conference. So, check your statements, or better yet call your credit card company and check for any recent suspicious activity.
The fraudulent attempt against my credit card was an attempted Western Union money transfer for an amount in excess of $700. The attempt was made this afternoon (Monday 6/12) I only used my credit card four times during this trip. The merchants that had access to my credit card numbr were:
The Best Western Clocktower Resort - Although my room was pre-paid, they took my credit card imprint when I checked in to cover any room service, long distance phone calls, etc. I ended up not having any charges against my card, but they did/do have my complete credit card info in their files. One of their employees could have easily copied my credit card info from the imprint.
Calumet Photographic - I made a purchase at the trade show, but I know these guys and have no reason to suspect them of any wrong doing.
Van Galder Bus Company - This is the bus service I used to get to/from the conference from O'Hare airport. However, I purchased my round trip bus ticket in advance using their secure web server. No employee of the company had access to my credit card information while I was at the conference.
The Machine Shed - This is a restaurant a couple blocks from the Clocktower Resort. Restaurants are a nortorius source of stolen credit card info. It used to be a problem with thieves getting credit card info off the carbons used to run your credit card. These days, with no carbons, the thief simply writes down you credit card info while they have the card in their possession. However, at this restaurant, the waitress does not take your credit card. You take it to the cashier and they run your card right there in front of you. So, I am less suspicious than I'd normally be that this restaurant is the source of my stolen credit card info.
Fortunately, my credit card company called me within minutes of this fraudulent attempt, blocked the charge, and closed my account to prevent any further faud attempts.
While it is convenient to use credit cards when traveling, and eliminates the need to carry a lot of cash, I'm beginning to wander if it's worth it. After this, I may go back to the old fashioned way of paying only with cash and traveller's checks.
Kerry