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

[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*