Each of our Debit cards used fraudulently one day after another. DH had never used his.

[audreyh1]

I think I was able to set very low POS limits on at least some of the cards. I might have had to phone in. Of course if the card is reissued you have to do it all over again.

 

[Texas Proud]

yes; unfortunately not all banks issue ATM only. I keep my card locked -- not much risk. Rarely used even for ATM.

You have to ask... and even insist... they have them but want to make it seem that you have to have their debit card...

 

[tulak]

I have a throw away debit card at Schwab that I use for cash at ATMs when needed. This is rare and I usually only use it when traveling, since it reimburses fees. The account never has that much cash and it’s the only account I maintain at Schwab (thank you Schwab!).

I have a virtual debit card for an account in Europe, which I sometimes need to use since some local sites don’t accept non-local debit/credit cards. When I enter that debit card number for the transaction, I get prompted on my smartphone to validate the transaction. I thought that was clever. I have no idea what would happen if there was a physical card with that number. I would hope it would be denied, since a physical card for that account doesn’t exist.

 

[audreyh1]

These fraudulent charges probably didn’t have a physical card. That’s a lot of trouble and expense to create. You don’t need a physical card for online purchases.

You can lock your Schwab debit card online. It’s kind of hidden, you see it when you go to add a travel notice. Locking the card immediately denies any transaction.

One weird thing about using a debit card online in my experience is that they don’t request a PIN, they need an expiration date and maybe the CVC. In other words it acts like a credit card for online purchases.

 

[More Cowbell]

You have to ask... and even insist... they have them but want to make it seem that you have to have their debit card...

I definitely had to insist on the ATM card at my primary credit union. When they asked why, my answer:

I prefer the lower risk level of an ATM card. It has a cash withdrawal limit and video record of ATM transactions. Plus, I already have credit cards.

 

[Koolau]

I definitely had to insist on the ATM card at my primary credit union. When they asked why, my answer:

I prefer the lower risk level of an ATM card. It has a cash withdrawal limit and video record of ATM transactions. Plus, I already have credit cards.

Smart!

I assume they acquiesced. I did the same years ago though I no longer use an ATM card (or debit card).

 

[HMMY]

I have ATM only bank cards with Citi and BoA, no debit. I've used these all over Europe and South America to withdraw cash with no issues. My mother's BoA card had a fraudulent charge, even though it lives in my drawer. I had it reissued and put a lock on it.

I get emails of all charges > $1 on my credit cards and $10 (the minimum) on my Amex, so I know immediately if they are compromised. When fraudulent activity occurs, it's often small charges to see if they can get away with it. My son was mugged and he forgot about one card. The muggers used it at a convenience store. It went through, but I saw it and called and cancelled it. There were 8 other transactions the thieves tried immediately after that were rejected. The police were able to catch them because of CCTV when they used the credit card.

 

[DaveLeeNC]

I bank with Wells Fargo and had no problem getting an ATM-only card.

 

[jeffmete]

Similar thing happened to me with our two debit cards. Mine was hacked, then a week later my wife’s and she had never used hers. Bank said the thieves randomly generate card numbers and try them online to see if they work.

 

[imnontrad]

The account number for all credit cards and debit cards are actually designed to be entered into a mathematical algorithm. If the result of this algorithmequals specific numbers, it passes the initial validity check. This is why whenyou put in your CC/debit number, it comes back stating whether it is Visa, MC, AmEx, etc.
The algorithm that each company set up is supposed to be secret but scammers found out. So they were able to craft CC/Debit numbers that satisfied that algorithm. So chances are this is what happened. The scammers used your debit number to make a purchase (that they made up) but did not have your name or security code. This is why you now put in your zip code when you buy gas, etc.

 

[audreyh1]

Similar thing happened to me with our two debit cards. Mine was hacked, then a week later my wife’s and she had never used hers. Bank said the thieves randomly generate card numbers and try them online to see if they work.

I’m skeptical. I think you need more than just the number. You need an expiration date and maybe also a CVC number. I don’t think an online purchase would work without at least the correct expiration date.

Some online purchases ask for the billing address for the card as well.

 

[Perryinva]

The newer ATMs let you pick denominations but nothing smaller than $10.

Actually, Chase ATMs (newer) will dispense $1,$5,$10,$20 & $50s. Wife has shoulder problems and goes to friends salon once a week to get hair washed/blown by apprentices. $27 cash each time, includes tip. So I get 2 months worth in cash out from the Chase ATM, and she has exact amount for them each visit. We also pay our biweekly maid in cash.

 

[folly]

The "bad guy" here is using a simple program. Take a number + 1, run it. If it works charge a small AMT. Now you have a valid credit card account that you can sell on the black market. They just keep it up, over and over., day after day. I don't know why but BOA is either a favorite target or the only company that bothers to notify you. When it happened to me, they contacted me. Sent me a new card with a new number. Which is a total pain because they all look alike and I get them mixed up, what happened to the day when you could pick a picture for the card! I did notice they quickly erase all signs of the incident. Never shows up on the statement, not paper or electronic after resolved. When it happened a second time I felt the name was the same, a coffee place, when I went to verify everything was gone. Also worth mentioning but sort of off topic, when I disputed a charge, the company refunded but keep $15. Which just pissed me off, BOA just gave me the $15 rather than fight with the scumbag insurance company!

 

[audreyh1]

The "bad guy" here is using a simple program. Take a number + 1, run it. If it works charge a small AMT. Now you have a valid credit card account that you can sell on the black market. They just keep it up, over and over., day after day. I don't know why but BOA is either a favorite target or the only company that bothers to notify you. When it happened to me, they contacted me. Sent me a new card with a new number. Which is a total pain because they all look alike and I get them mixed up, what happened to the day when you could pick a picture for the card! I did notice they quickly erase all signs of the incident. Never shows up on the statement, not paper or electronic after resolved. When it happened a second time I felt the name was the same, a coffee place, when I went to verify everything was gone. Also worth mentioning but sort of off topic, when I disputed a charge, the company refunded but keep $15. Which just pissed me off, BOA just gave me the $15 rather than fight with the scumbag insurance company!

Ours is still on the record in terms of charge reversed. And when we set up the replacement cards we put the old no good ones in the shredder. Why would you keep an old one around to confuse you?