Until today I could say no. This afternoon we received a call here at home. The bank was calling to find out if we had indeed purchased over $3000 of gear at various Apple Stores around Sydney during the day… Naturally the answer was No. The Banks Fraud division already knew that though and were going to cancel the AMEX card on that account. Great – No issue with that. Now here’s the problem. The Bank KNOWS that the transactions were fraudulent – in fact it was them that told us that the card must have been skimmed. However, WE have to wait for paperwork to come from the bank, then submit it to them and wait a further 7-10 days BEFORE they will reverse the charges on our account. Hang on… the Bank called US to tell us it was fraud, yet they can’t / won’t reverse the charges until WE do paperwork… and then only 7-10 days later? Seems wrong, but that is their procedure. Oh… and here’s the good bit… the $3000 of charges has placed this account (that has other cards on it that are not at risk), over it’s limit… therefore rendering all other cards unable to be used. The only solution is for ME to pay the $3000 to get it back UNDER it’s limit…. does not seem right does it?
Wait – it gets better… we went online to the bank to see if we can see the transaction history for the account. The Bank has removed our access to the account for the moment and will return it once investigations are complete. Yes – this is the same bank who has removed everyone’s statements due to a security flaw they were told about over 9 months ago…
For the record too and here’s the scary bit, this particular credit card has only existed for the last 3 months… and it’s only been used in our direct sight AND at reputable organisations, like the big supermarkets and such… so now we are left wondering just where this card was skimmed… and also how safe the replacement card will be.
Oh – for the record… the Bank I’m talking about is the ANZ bank. Not happy about it at all… but I’m stuck with them for now…
Someone put a skimming device on the St George ATM at Rozelle, and I withdrew cash during the period that it was there. I was notified by SMS and email that the card had been compromised and called the bank prior to them getting around to actually calling me.
The bank went through recent transactions with me on the phone, to see if any were fraudulent. Fortunately none were.
I went into the local branch the next day and picked up a temporary card on the spot.
I didn’t ask what would have happened to my access to the account if someone had actually taken cash out. Possibly the same delay that you are experiencing, while they go through a process to assure themselves which ones were made by the thieves.
Given that one is protected from liability in this circumstance, which is fantastic, it’s the PIA factor for which you’re not compensated that’s still a real problem.
Phil
Credit Card skimming sucks – Have you ever had your Credit Card skimmed?