Credit Card compromised

What virus scanner do you have and when is the last time you got it updated and fully scanned your system? It is possible that you have a trojan horse virus on your system, so make sure you get that scanned for.

Citibank (and probably others now) have a neat feature for online shopping--"virtual account numbers." You can install it as a program on your computer or just use it on their site. Basically, you type in your User ID/password that you'd use to access your account information online, click "create VAN," and it produces a one-time use CC number, expiration date, security number, etc. that's linked to your account. The number is only valid for the amount authorized and to the person you authorized the payment for. If anyone else gets the number, it's just a fake number that can never be reused again. If you're making a lot of bookings online, it might be something neat to look into to make you feel more comfortable booking online. I don't know if faxing/calling is better. I hate speaking my credit card number over the phone, but I don't know if it's safer/less safe than the other options.

Ooh, I like the CitiBank idea. I will look into that

thnx much

It was most unlikely (in fact, it is nearly impossible) for a number to be stolen while been transmitted - from your computer to their computer. Assuming your computer is clean, the theft would have occurred after arriving at the hotel. In that case, it would have made no difference if the number had been sent via phone, fax, or email. Cancel the card and have it reissued. Send an email to each of the hotels and advise them that you number was taken and suggest that they may want to double check their systems for security. And, finally, the number could have been taken six month ago and only now is being used. A secure browser does not prevent some clerk from giving your number to his friend or entering it into a compromised hotel computer.

"It was most unlikely (in fact, it is nearly impossible) for a number to be stolen while been transmitted - from your computer to their computer."

If they didn't have a secure site it could be stolen. So it might be that the site wasn't as secure as it should have been.

"Cancel the card and have it reissued. Send an email to each of the hotels and advise them that you number was taken and suggest that they may want to double check their systems for security."

Have already done that, thnx

"And, finally, the number could have been taken six month ago and only now is being used. "

Right, but suspicious that as soon as I use it to make reservations is when it is being fraudently used.

"A secure browser does not prevent some clerk from giving your number to his friend or entering it into a compromised hotel computer."

My error, I should have said "a secure site" from which the number cannot be seen.

I should be getting the card in a couple of days. The week-end slows things up.

Then I will make calls and this time I will ask the name of whoever takes the number. In case it gets taken again.

But I like the Citibank idea. I am going to check into my bank and see if they do something like this. Sounds like a good idea.

Thanks all for the input.

I've had my credit card compromised twice over the past 3 years. I'm fairly certain that its not because of purchases on the internet or emailing my CC info to hotels (i.e. Italy and England). My two suspicions are 1) wrong-minded employees in restaurants and places of business who copy your info sell it and 2)they guess at your number. ID thieves seem to know the first 8 numbers that credit card numbers use and they guess at the last 8. When they get a hit, they have to guess at the expiration date. In my case, that's what has tripped them up. As soon as an incorrect exp date comes in, they immediately call me.

I'm in the middle of planning a 3-week trip to England for later this year. As in Italy, so many hotels and B&Bs want you to email your CC info to them. Even if they want cash. And, these are top places on Trip Advisor. I've done it before without difficulty and I'm doing it now but I don't like it.

I think I will make phone calls instead of email, even on a secure site.

Some of the hotels are small and may not have the proper security,.

I was amazed when someone asked me to email the number.

Even with this, it hasn't dampened my enthusiasm.

Despite all of this, did you check the virus scanner? For all the complicated answers, it only takes one trojan horse virus on your computer to copy all of the information that you type in.

Another possibility is a phishing email - you did not send any of your details in response to an email, right?

Two weeks ago a friend of mine got almost the same call from their United Mileage Plus card asking if they were trying to buy a bicycle in the UK for $1,500 and a plane ticket from Lodon to Nigeria. Their card had been compromised and neither she nor her husband is planning a trip to Europe or has been on a trip there. It may be coincidence & you may never know where it happened. I have emailed my cc info within the last month making reservations in Europe. After I do this, I go online much more frequently to check my account and look at the recent charges. The CitiBank idea sounds like it's worth looking into. Thanks

Whenever I book travel stuff online (or more recently when booking a trip to Italy and sending CC information via email), I use a separate credit card I have specifically for this purpose with a low balance (and one I wouldn't mind canceling).

I've also found that Citibank is obsessed with charges made away from one's home location. I got so annoyed with holds being placed on my card after just one or two purchases in another state (I frequently had to travel on short notice because of work), I stopped using that card altogether. But for some who are worried about these charges, that may be a nice feature.