ATM Fraud in Vegas

How did this happen?

I got a call from my bank about possible fraud with my Debit Card. I have one card that I keep with me at all times. Four different ATM transactions were made at 2 different ATM's in Vegas. Both were 7 Eleven stores far off the strip (one on Sahara and one on Tropicana). Amounts were $102.50, $402.50, $102.50, and $402.50.

I have not been in Vegas since October and I had the card with me all weekend and used it in Illinois. The person withdrawing the cash had to have a duplicate card and the Pin number.

How in the heck could this happen?

Good news is the bank is crediting the amounts back into my account and I am getting a new debit card.

People have a device that they attach to an ATM and when you use your card, it reads the numbers and they make a duplicate card.

That's exactly what I was asking .....
when I once had a charge for $900+ from a camera store in NY (think it was on-line),
and didn't know about it until I inquired why I wasn't receiving my monthly bill.
That's when I also found out that my Massachusetts billing adress was changed to some new address in California.

"How in the heck could this happen?"

I wasn't charged or held accountable, but the whole thing was unsettling.
I now pay the $9.99 monthly fee for the security protection.

Rick

It 's called "cloning". Sometimes a "skimmer" and camera are "installed" on ATM's. The skimmer gets the data from the cards magnetic strip, the camera the PIN code.

There is also the techonlogy to "read" your card while in your pocket, if it is RFID chip enabled. Those devices are also called skimmers.

Also, if you use public wi-fi, your information could be easily "hacked". I'm pretty sure that includes smart phones, etc.

I usually only carry one card, my PayPal debit card, and use that for all purchases I make. I get 1 1/2% cash back on every purchase. I use it for 99.9% of my purchases, bill pays, online, etc. My bank account ATM cards, and credit cards are safely tucked away at home unless I anticipate the need to carry one. I can withdraw cash at any ATM with my PayPal if needed.

Their security and protection is, IMHO, terrific. I have mine set to receive "alerts" via email on any/all transactions, or any changes made to my account. The card can not be used out of state unless I notify them of my travel by email or voice. I carry a balance large enough to cover my monthly needs. The cash back is paid monthly.

I do not remember the last time I used any of my other cards. So my "wallet" contains my ID, one debit card, and a bunch of other prepaid cards that I've purchased through online deals. (ie: Starbucks, etc)

Works well for me.

My checking account is with Bank of America. I had two transactions with the debit card in one day that I usually never make. I had a cash withdrawal from the ATM at 7-11 and I used it to buy gas at ARCO, because ARCO doesn't take credit cards (at least in California). I found out shortly thereafter that the bank put a hold on the card (without notifying me). Without disclosing which location, they told me that someone was stealing the data information.

A long time ago when ATMs came on the scene, there were a couple of smart criminals who crafted a portable ATM machine and wheeled it into a shopping mall. The machine was able to record information on the user's card and the PIN number they entered. The ATM would then tell the user to please try using the machine at a later time.

To heck with them using your card, WTF is that $2.50 transaction fee?????????

They withdraw $2.50 and the fee was $100.00



Thanks for all the info guys......this is still pretty scary. Card used in a different state and I had the original in my pocket at all times. It had to be one of those clone things on an ATM machine somewhere.....

Everyone will be the victim of fraud sooner or later. If it's not you getting hacked, it's one of the vendors you use. The whole system is weak. All you can do is monitor your bill and call your credit card company.

Why?

I get reports by the 3 credit agencies whenever any high purchase and/or suspicious activity happens concerning my CC or credit.

Rick