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~Elena
PeaFixture
PeaNut 49,578
September 2002
Posts: 3,384
Layouts: 149
Loc: Oregon
 |  Posted: 5/13/2011 9:53:00 AM
...has now spread across 20 states and if you've used your debit card at a Michael's in the "last few months" you should watch your bank account for unauthorized activity and report it immediately! On the radio this morning, they said that six branches in my state, Oregon, were reported to be dealing with these tampering issues.  | |
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Luci in Arizona
BucketHead
PeaNut 223,742
September 2005
Posts: 877
Layouts: 0
Loc: Peoria, AZ
 | Posted: 5/13/2011 10:05:45 AM
A couple of nights ago it was mentioned on our local news, surprised me because I had only thought it affected the Chicago area. | |
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Bree the Pea
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 446,722
November 2009
Posts: 2,171
Layouts: 5
Loc: PNW USA
 | Posted: 5/13/2011 10:17:13 AM
I did use my debit card at Michael's in OR in the last few weeks but not one of the affected stores (so far...) I'll have to keep an eye on my account, thanks for the warning. | |
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asmart99
PeaAddict
PeaNut 294,784
February 2007
Posts: 1,383
Layouts: 9
Loc: California dreamin'
 | Posted: 5/13/2011 10:32:24 AM
I went to M's yesterday and the card machines were gone. The card had to be scanned by the employee into the register. I asked her if it was because of the card #'s being stolen in other states, she said it was... | |
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Scrapn Nana
PEAring through my camera lens
PeaNut 272,954
August 2006
Posts: 6,975
Layouts: 19
| Posted: 5/13/2011 12:52:51 PM
Thanks for the heads up. Where is a list of states that have been affected, please?
ETA: HERE is a link to the stores to see which ones are known to be affected.
Even if your store isn't on the list, you should keep an eye on your accounts. |
My Scrapn' Blog
Photographers are violent people. First they frame you, then they shoot you, then they hang you on the wall; but if you're real good, they will scrapbook you! | |
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ukfan
PeaAddict
PeaNut 150,991
June 2004
Posts: 1,962
Layouts: 31
Loc: southeast
 | Posted: 5/13/2011 1:51:00 PM
Ugh! I hadn't heard about this at all until now. There are 3 stores in Georgia listed - none that I go to - but I have been to a Michael's in the past few weeks.
Thanks. |
Jennifer
"give me chocolate...or I will cut you" | |
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lovetodigi
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 257,022
April 2006
Posts: 7,674
Layouts: 5
Loc: Metro Atlanta
| Posted: 5/13/2011 2:31:47 PM
Thanks for the info on the other stores that were affected. I had not heard about that.
ETA: HERE is a link to the stores to see which ones are known to be affected.
Thanks for the link. So far, my state is not one of those on the list.
Hope none of the peas have been hit. It sucks that there are so many crooked people out there. There is something seriously wrong when you have to live in fear of having money stolen from you, just because you use your card to pay for your purchases.  | |
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chrispeas
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 252,090
March 2006
Posts: 8,772
Layouts: 8
Loc: Beautiful South Orange County, CA
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theshyone
I'm Alive!
PeaNut 266,636
June 2006
Posts: 10,144
Layouts: 37
Loc: Alberta
| Posted: 5/13/2011 3:35:29 PM
Here is more info
http://www.bankinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=3628&rf=2011-05-12-eb |
Canon XTI
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My Blog
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world. Jack Layton
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pennyscraps
Today's Logo brought to you by the number 266,613
PeaNut 266,613
June 2006
Posts: 10,476
Layouts: 102
Loc: Lone Star State
| Posted: 5/13/2011 6:43:59 PM
Does anyone know what the fraudulent charges are showing up as? | |
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Ms.Snickerdoodle
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 83,570
April 2003
Posts: 5,051
Layouts: 49
Loc: Halloweentown
| Posted: 5/13/2011 6:48:29 PM
I haven't been at the M's in Beaverton since before Easter- how far back does this go?
Molly |
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identicaltriplets
To God be the Glory!
PeaNut 221,552
September 2005
Posts: 6,236
Layouts: 439
Loc: Glad to be back in the Carolinas!
| Posted: 5/13/2011 6:49:07 PM
I went to Michael's the other day, and they had not even heard of the incident!!!! I told them that their CEO e-mailed me and about a zillion other people. I couldn't believe the employees didn't know! They still had out the pin pads, and I told them I wanted to use credit and not debit so hopefully my card is still safe. Ugh! |
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~3girls&aguy~
Now what?
PeaNut 924
July 1999
Posts: 5,197
Layouts: 12
Loc: North Texas
 | Posted: 5/13/2011 7:13:52 PM
I work at a credit union---so we are kept up with fraudulent activity and how it's done.
This was obviously an inside job----they had several employees install skimmers on their pin pads....as each person slid their card through, it captured not only all of the info on the card, but the PIN that they used as well.
You can buy blank cards for next to nothing....purchase the equipment to emboss them and have the info put on the magnetic strip on the back and viola, you have a card.....ready to use anywhere.
The market is BIG for this. BIG!
Even if you didn't use your PIN, they still can make a card with your bank info and it only be used as credit when checking out. Most likely it will be used to purchase gift cards at stores, then they have a working gift card that they can hang onto for longer, and ditch the fraudulent bank card.
Just watch your account. If you notice fraud, report it immediately. Your financial institution will have lots of paperwork for you, but you will get your $$ back.
Oh, and if you run your hand up under those PIN pads, you can feel the skimmers. They are small, but detectable, if you know what you are looking for. Feel around your ATM next time and make sure there isn't one on there as well. ATMs get hit a lot with skimmers....for obvious reasons. |
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Kim
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FurryPea
Sit. Stay. Pea!
PeaNut 115,196
November 2003
Posts: 7,370
Layouts: 101
Loc: It's dark in here......I can't see a thing!
 | Posted: 5/13/2011 7:40:19 PM
Thanks Kim for the extra info.
My state now has some stores on the list.
Just for insurance I am going to have my bank send me another debit card. I know I must have used my card at one of the stores in the last few months. |
Love is love. It doesn't matter if it is a dog. ~Diane Keaton in Darling Companion~
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pennyscraps
Today's Logo brought to you by the number 266,613
PeaNut 266,613
June 2006
Posts: 10,476
Layouts: 102
Loc: Lone Star State
| Posted: 5/13/2011 8:06:18 PM
Just for insurance I am going to have my bank send me another debit card.
I was thinking just the other day that I should do this on a regular periodic basis....I think I thought this as I gave my card number over the phone to the guy at Papa John's on NSD....
Thanks Kim for the extra info
Yes - good to know..... | |
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lemon dropp
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 381,316
June 2008
Posts: 2,313
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 5/13/2011 9:51:35 PM
Thanks for the heads-up. | |
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RnKMom
Prima 'n' Stickles Pea
PeaNut 80,424
April 2003
Posts: 9,161
Layouts: 30
Loc: Southern California
| Posted: 5/13/2011 10:33:38 PM
A big THANK YOU for the list and skimming info!
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~Patricia~
If I have to use all this paper before I die, I'll live forever!
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pennyscraps
Today's Logo brought to you by the number 266,613
PeaNut 266,613
June 2006
Posts: 10,476
Layouts: 102
Loc: Lone Star State
| Posted: 5/13/2011 10:41:57 PM
So, let me ask again. Would it say MICHAEL's at our bank or something else? I checked the last two months and didn't see anything odd. Thankfully, I haven't shopped at M's too much of late. Last purchase was paints for son's school project..... | |
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Addicted2Supplies
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 123,855
January 2004
Posts: 2,392
Layouts: 272
Loc: North Texas/DFW
| Posted: 5/14/2011 12:56:32 AM
If they are just skimming your info, they can then take that anywhere and use it. Not very likely, actually, that it will be a Michaels purchase. They usually go and buy gift cards they can use later and or make large purchases in mega stores where large purchases are a regular occurrence. Or, like when our account was stolen - they make a day of it so all the charges hit at once and go buy $1000s at Home Depot, Lowe's and the mall. It's not unusual to make large purchases at home improvement stores (and things like lawn mowers and tool chests can be resold for a nice profit), and just think how many small purchases can be made in one trip to the mall.... *sigh* Trust me, they try to get their money's worth before they ditch the stolen info. |
| Visit my Etsy Shop! -- etsy.com/shops/addicted2supplies | |
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identicaltriplets
To God be the Glory!
PeaNut 221,552
September 2005
Posts: 6,236
Layouts: 439
Loc: Glad to be back in the Carolinas!
| Posted: 5/14/2011 5:34:00 AM
Even if you didn't use your PIN, they still can make a card with your bank info and it only be used as credit when checking out. Most likely it will be used to purchase gift cards at stores, then they have a working gift card that they can hang onto for longer, and ditch the fraudulent bank card.
Wow, Kim, thank you for the info but now I am concerned. I always thought the rule of thumb was not to use your card as debit, and that if you used it as credit you were safer. I guess that is no longer the case. Is it back to writing checks? What's the best thing to do? Off to check my account.
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pennyscraps
Today's Logo brought to you by the number 266,613
PeaNut 266,613
June 2006
Posts: 10,476
Layouts: 102
Loc: Lone Star State
| Posted: 5/14/2011 6:20:51 AM
Not very likely, actually, that it will be a Michaels purchase.
Thanks, Addicted2supplies, for that. That was the way I was leaning. And thanks Scrapnnana for the link. Thanks goodness TX is not on there yet....And Patter, I saw a lady writing a check the other day at Target and I chuckled inside....but I am with you: thinking of joining her now!  | |
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scrappycass
You Wanna Peas of Me?
PeaNut 413,587
February 2009
Posts: 5,647
Layouts: 45
Loc: Western New York
| Posted: 5/14/2011 6:43:58 AM
When I went to M's earlier this week, the card machines were gone so it sounds like they are trying to prevent it from happening. How sad that we have to worry about this stuff now. |
Chocolate......who needs a reason?!
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Scrapn Nana
PEAring through my camera lens
PeaNut 272,954
August 2006
Posts: 6,975
Layouts: 19
| Posted: 5/14/2011 6:52:52 AM
I think I read that the incidents go back to early February.
As for my part, I typically write checks, anyway. Yes, I'm one of the dinosaurs.
My son, however, uses his debit card, and we were at Michaels during the time listed. DS thinks he used cash, though. |
My Scrapn' Blog
Photographers are violent people. First they frame you, then they shoot you, then they hang you on the wall; but if you're real good, they will scrapbook you! | |
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~3girls&aguy~
Now what?
PeaNut 924
July 1999
Posts: 5,197
Layouts: 12
Loc: North Texas
| Posted: 5/14/2011 9:36:21 AM
Unfortunately, in this day and age, nothing is safe. Not even writing checks. If you hand a check to someone, and they are willing, they can easily makes checks with all of your info on it and go to town with your checks. I will say, that is unlikely today, because the cards are so much easier for them to duplicate, PLUS, most stores do NOT ask for ID when someone swipes a card......but they can always have IDs made to match the name on the card.
The "bad" guys are always one step ahead of us, it seems. We'll come up with some kind of new anti fraud technology, and then BAM! They've figured out how to get around it.
It's extremely frustrating. When you think about how many times you hand your card over to someone, and how many times it can actually be skimmed, you'll rethink it, ALWAYS. BUT, you can't walk around thinking that everyone is a bad guy, ya know? |
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Kim
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manomo
PeaNut
PeaNut 249,133
February 2006
Posts: 437
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 5/14/2011 12:07:20 PM
We got notification from our bank today that this goes back to December of 2010 and involves credit as well as debit use. | |
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LovMelrose
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 66,686
February 2003
Posts: 5,975
Layouts: 0
Loc: Nebraska
| Posted: 5/14/2011 12:09:51 PM
Thanks for the heads up! How awful! |
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FurryPea
Sit. Stay. Pea!
PeaNut 115,196
November 2003
Posts: 7,370
Layouts: 101
Loc: It's dark in here......I can't see a thing!
| Posted: 5/14/2011 3:35:32 PM
Manomo.... which bank is that?
And just to throw it out there since we are sharing fraud knowledge.... a couple of years ago my sister made her car payment to Toyota Mtr Credit over the phone with her bank routing info, etc. (check by phone)
Several days later some one had opened up a mobile service account with her info. I don't know how that went down, but it defintely stemmed from that transaction because the mobile account was in the same state as the credit company and there was another fraudulent transaction related to that checking account.
So annoying that some people just want it easy by stealing from others. I hope Karma bites then in the behind!!!! |
Love is love. It doesn't matter if it is a dog. ~Diane Keaton in Darling Companion~
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pennyscraps
Today's Logo brought to you by the number 266,613
PeaNut 266,613
June 2006
Posts: 10,476
Layouts: 102
Loc: Lone Star State
| Posted: 5/14/2011 4:08:59 PM
We got notification from our bank today that this goes back to December of 2010 and involves credit as well as debit use.
WOW, WOW, WOW. That is really disheartening.... | |
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camanddanismom
Manic Mom of 2
PeaNut 274,243
August 2006
Posts: 9,859
Layouts: 424
Loc: Northeast
| Posted: 5/15/2011 9:43:14 AM
I took the small precaution of changing my pin...I have definitely used my debit card at Ms...I hate this stuff. Just go get a job and work for your money. Don't take from others!!! Makes me sick!!! | |
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TravelAgent
Resident Smart Ass
PeaNut 294,429
January 2007
Posts: 12,673
Layouts: 7
Loc: Indiana
| Posted: 5/15/2011 10:00:09 AM
Talking about fraud scams ... this has happened to me TWICE on two different cards! The second time I was on alert and my husband and I were betting on how long before we got the call from the fraud department ...
My current plate expired at the end of the month, but the replacement never arrived. So I called Discover, where the rep said she'd overnight one right away to avoid having automatic payments fall apart, etc. I called the number on the little sticker to activate it, shredded the old one and stuck the new one in my wallet.
Three days later, Discover calls and wants to know if I've run up $2,000 at Sharper Image in Times Square? No? Did you spend $2400 at the Apple store? No? Well, these were plate transactions, not phone, so someone has your card. I double checked and there it was, in my purse safe as can be.
Someone inside at Discover stole the batch of update cards going out, held them to wait for us to activate the replacements and bam! Had a better time with my card that I was having, that's for sure.
About 18 months later, it happened again at VISA. Apparently, they have a difficult time not hiring criminals to work inside their companies.
Julie | |
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Scrapn Nana
PEAring through my camera lens
PeaNut 272,954
August 2006
Posts: 6,975
Layouts: 19
| Posted: 5/15/2011 3:50:58 PM
Apparently, they have a difficult time not hiring criminals to work inside their companies.
My oldest son made a comment like this, too. He thinks that background checks are poorly done (and in some cases are not done at all) at many banks and hospitals, where a lot of confidential and personal information are available to staff. I assume that background checks are expensive to do, but it seems like it would be less costly to a bank to do a thorough background check than deal with the problems of a dishonest employee.
Someone inside at Discover stole the batch of update cards going out, held them to wait for us to activate the replacements and bam! Had a better time with my card that I was having, that's for sure.
When you reported to Discover that you had never received your card, Discover should have issued you another card with a NEW number instead of the same number that was on the missing (never arrived) card. It sounds like that person was either incredibly incompetent, or they were part of the scheme. |
My Scrapn' Blog
Photographers are violent people. First they frame you, then they shoot you, then they hang you on the wall; but if you're real good, they will scrapbook you! | |
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~Elena
PeaFixture
PeaNut 49,578
September 2002
Posts: 3,384
Layouts: 149
Loc: Oregon
| Posted: 5/16/2011 9:46:37 AM
Thanks for posting the links to additional information, peas. I hadn't been able to find anymore than that it was across 20 states and involved six in my state. Turns out, I think the one in Beaverton is one I stopped at in January and I know I bought something but I couldn't find my receipt to see how I paid for it or to see what the address was. I checked my bank statements from January forward and don't see anything odd. Now every time I use my cards, anywhere, it makes me nervous, but I don't want to carry enough cash around to pay for everything either. I agree with the pea who said they hate having to worry about this kind of thing. | |
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l.tincher
Baby Pea Step
PeaNut 98,343
July 2003
Posts: 3
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 5/16/2011 11:29:00 AM
We had to get new cards because someone hacked into ours too. Our credit union is very good. They cought it right away and didn't even allow the purchase.  | |
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~3girls&aguy~
Now what?
PeaNut 924
July 1999
Posts: 5,197
Layouts: 12
Loc: North Texas
| Posted: 5/16/2011 12:36:00 PM
Credit Unions ROCK!!!!!
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Kim
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Flip_pea_ng
PeaAddict
PeaNut 243,448
January 2006
Posts: 1,542
Layouts: 44
Loc: in limbo
| Posted: 5/16/2011 1:09:29 PM
My friend's account was wiped out on Friday! I feel so bad for her. I cancelled my card on Friday night myself once I saw the 3 stores in Las Vegas listed. I've been to those 3 stores in the last 3 months - 2 of which I frequent.
Ugh! I hate that we have to worry about this happening. I plan to try and pay cash from now on. It's going to be hard, but side benefit is maybe it'll curb my spending. |
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