iTunes Scam Almost Got $1000+ from my checking account

[eredien]

So, I spent most of today going over my bank account. I am really glad I did, because I found an unauthorized charge on my bank statement. It's listed as iTunes, but I haven't bought anything on iTunes since last year, when I basically switched to buying all my music DRM free from places like Amazon.

I called the number listed on the statement, and it was just a voice mail. And then I called my bank. "I didn't make this $35 iTunes charge," I said. "Okay...well, how about this $1 iTunes charge? No? The $700.00 Dell charge? No? The $350 lovemymom.com charge? No? Well, ok...those didn't go through anyway. We'll have to shut down your debit card and send you a new one, plus paperwork to report fraud."

Apparently it's really common scam, but I cannot figure out how they got my info, because my credit card information is not on file at iTunes...so now I am kind of creeped out. Especially since my debit card has been sitting in my wallet for the past week, and since Day #1. .... ...

I was just talking to my roommate yesterday about identity theft as he asked why I was being so thorough about cutting up some old (non-bank identified) ID cards. What a thrill. I bet the million and one moves and address changes just made this easier for whomever it was who did this to me.

So...that's been fun. That is not what I needed or wanted today; I am already feeling really on-edge for no good reason this week. Craptastic. This is not full of rainbows and ponies and happy freaking sunshine.

Anyway, check your bank account.

Comments

[psymar.livejournal.com]

Do you have a PS3? I recall hearing they accidentally leaked all their credit card numbers. That's all I can think of off-hand...

[eredien]

Nope. I have a wii, but until I find the cable for it it's not even hooked up yet!

[walks-far.livejournal.com]

First . . . the iTunes charge is used to see if the credit card is working. Usually they charge no more than a dollar. Once they find the card valid, they make all the big purchases. A good bank will catch this and deny the charges to the card. The iTunes buy for a dollar is the tip off and they watch to see what the next purchases are and compare the location of the charges to the location where most your charges come from online. Be glad your bank caught this. I am glad mine did and notified me.

[eredien]

In my case:

1.) The bank did not catch it, since it really did look like a legit iTunes charge. I caught it, and called my bank.

2.) The $1-to-see-if-the-card-is-working charges came after the first $35 "fake iTunes" charge. *shrug*

[tirerim.livejournal.com]

A lot of different companies have had their databases hacked or otherwise stolen in the past few years -- most likely you just did business with a legit company that was lax about security. The same thing happened to me a couple of years back with my credit card, except that my credit card company actually called me first, because there were some unusual-looking charges. Unfortunately there's no way to figure out in advance which companies are safe, and often not even in hindsight (I still don't know which one mine got stolen from), but fortunately as long as you find out about it fast enough you're generally not liable for the charges.

[eredien]

Yeah. I can't think of what it would be, though; the last time I bought something online was a while ago. Oh well, it provided a good excuse for me to go through my entire last year's worth of spending and refresh the balance in my checkbook.

[frameacloud]

Wow! You're really lucky that they didn't get away with it all.

Maybe the on-edge feeling was sort of a spidey sense? That would be useful.

Thanks for spreading the word about this scam. I hadn't heard of it before.

[eredien]

I don't really think the on-edge feeling was a spidey sense; I have it today too and had it the day before yesterday. I've been tracking my hormonal cycle and think that basically I get super-anxious for no good reason whenever I start the third phase of my period. Blech. At least the statistics I have been keeping are useful.