[Leica] Credit Card Fraud

[rbaron at concentric.net (Robert D. Baron)]

The major credit card companies have very sophisticated software now
that can be reasonably adept at spotting possible fraudulent
transactions.

Several times in recent years I have got calls from fraud units asking
me if I was in, say, China the previous day (the answer is always
'no') and they say we've got a fraudulent transaction here and we'll
cancel your card and overnight you a new one.  Citibank has been
particularly active in this area.

But it can also trip you up:  Several months ago I put gas in my car,
then went a WalMart, then went to a liquor store.  I used the same
card at all three places.  At the liquor store I was told the card was
rejected and I should call the issuer's Fraud Unit.  I did and was
told I had fallen into the pattern of people who steal credit cards:
They go to a gas station to make sure the card works, then they go to
a WalMart to get items to sell, and then they go to a liquor store to
stock up for a party.  This caused their software to tag me, but when
I convinced them it was me and not a robber they approved the
purchase.

This Modern Age.

--Bob