Just thought I'd share some info that might be useful for someone...

I checked my bank account info online this morning and found 9 very odd charges. 9 charges for $105.44 each for Wal-Mart in Longview, TX (which is about 3 hours away from me). This is showing as a pre-authorized charge on my account - $948.xx out of my bank account. YIKES! I have my debit card and DH has his. I called my bank and they said that it is likely that someone got my card number (maybe in a restaurant), then made a credit card using my info. Call me naive, but I didn't really know that could happen. Apparently, it can. I've called the Wal-Mart in Longview, as well as filing a police report in Longview. The Wal-Mart is reviewing their video and will let me, as well as the police, know if they are able to identify a suspect. Once the charges clear I can file a dispute with the bank. I should recover my money.

I hate using credit cards and use my debit card for almost everything, but this situation has made me realize that credit cards might be a safer bet. They seem to have some mechanisms in place to stop something like this from happening. Also, if there is something fraudulent, you have a bit to figure it out and file a dispute. This is just straight out of my bank, so the money is gone. It's extremely concerning. Anyway, I'm going to get it straightened out with just a little bit of a headache, but I wanted to bring it to light here in case anyone else uses their debit card as much as I did. Just something to think about.

Kim

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Kim

Ugh, I hope you get your money back! Using a debit card is like carrying cash....someone can steal it from you and you can't recover it usually. I have never used, nor do I ever plan to use, a debit card. Credit cards are much safer and you can dispute right away. I had my credit card number stolen (probably a restaurant or employee of a company I do business with...it was a business credit card) and at just about the same time I looked at my account online (I review my cc statements and bank info every day), I noticed a bunch of big charges to online companies that were not mine. At that moment, Apple called me to verify my order since the shipping addy was so different from my billing one. They canceled the order but I know 4 went through before I canceled the card. I was fully covered since it was credit. If it had been debit, I would have been screwed because my mortgage check would have bounced and about 2 other bills that went through that day.

Thanks for posting because most people do not realize how dangerous a debit card can be.

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

I'm with you, Sexysmurf. I've never used and never will use a debit card.

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If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it.

- Stephen Colbert.

That is very disturbing. I only keep a small amount in my account linked to my debit card and don't have overdraft protection. It's scary. It seems no matter what precautions people take the scammers are one step ahead of us.

Kim I hope you get your money back fast!

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I'm sure I'll get my money back, but I feel a little bit like an idiot! I just didn't think about it being so exposed. Anyway, hopefully others will learn from my mistake.

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Kim

Sweetie feel so sorry for you and sincerely hope all works out well good luck. Peace. Catherine

I assume your debit card has a Visa logo so that you can swipe it without entering a pin? My preferred method of payment is my debit card. However, I refuse to get one with the Visa logo. I have to enter a pin to use mine. Every time NFCU sends me a replacement with the Visa logo I contact them to have them send me one without the Visa.

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Debit cards typically are just like cash - gone.

Credit cards have much more protection and you can dispute right away, there is no waiting. While it can vary, with a credit card you are only liable for $50 ( mine is this way) as long as you report as soon as possible.

I think the machines are called skimmers. The criminal runs your card through a small machine and it copies all the imformation which can be duplicated amd used. It can even be done fast at a counter transaction when you don't think anything of it because the person is in front of you.

It's too bad all of these holes are so busy dreaming up ways to cheat people.....I wonder what they could do to cure medical situations or ecological or energy situations if they would go in the right direction.

dl

That's for sure DL! If they put half the effort of committing crime into something worthwhile they'd be a benefit to society and probably make even more money. Idiots.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Yep, I had my purse stolen this past summer and they got one two credit cards. Would you believe that within one hour, I had about $600 worth of gasoline......that's right gas, charged to my card. The thief went to his part of town, called all his thug friends to meet him at the station. He swiped my card, then proceeded to the next gas station. There were a line of cars filling up on my card. Even selling gas to other people at the station, compliments of me. Never in a million years would I have thought of that one. Unfortunately, the attendants inside did not do anything, although they suspected something was fraudulently going on. Actually said that if the transaction took place outside, there was really nothing they could do. Hardly makes sense to me.
I am now very non-trusting, and do not carry a purse anymore.

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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!

Sad they are making you wait. My bank credited the same day, pending dispute and investigation. My debit card is a visa and has the same protection as a credit card.

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"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

I use a debit card, but always put it through as credit and sign for it. I don't know if that makes it any safer or not. I guess not, if they can use it without your pin number? I am from a small town and guess I am too naive about the ways of the world these days! Thanks so much for the information and am glad you will get your money back.

Honestly, I have never heard of not being able to get it back with a debit card. I guess some banks have different types of debit cards, I have had a p[roblem twice and bboth times I got my money back the day I called($800 once and $120 the other).

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"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

I have a debit card with a Visa logo but I have to enter a PIN. I rarely ever use it so I don't know that much about it. I mainly only use it at Sams Club since they don't take Visa Credit cards (only mastercard) and occasionally at the ATM to get cash.

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"