Credit card scam

[Bluetongue]

I’ll try to be concise. About 6 weeks ago I was notified by bank via an in app message that a transaction had been attempted for about 33k Aud. Was it me Y/N. Ok I hit N and opened the app and that transaction had been declined, over the limit, however there were 2 others for about 1500 each sitting there as pending. All 3 were denominated in THB. The details were scant FB/Meta Adv then a series of numbers and letters.

 

Naturally I disputed and 3 days later the transactions had been processed and then reversed and a new card had been issued. I should say I barely use this card only for things that my main card can’t do. 
 

4 days later a new transaction in THB appeared with the same coding but for a $600 plus credit. It’s been sitting there as a completed transaction now for 5 weeks. The bank wasn’t really interested. So what is the scam?

[KhunHeineken]

Firstly, don't ever "hit" on anything unsolicited.  In this case, you should have closed out and opened the app. 

 

Try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.  Perhaps it's not your account that has been compromised, but your phone and / or phone number.

[Highball]

Cards convenient until they are a headache.

 

Use my method for never having bank, card problems..use cash.

 

Wife buys what meager goods I need online.

 

Life is simple here. Enjoy it.

 

CASH

[Bluetongue]

22 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Firstly, don't ever "hit" on anything unsolicited.  In this case, you should have closed out and opened the app. 

 

Try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.  Perhaps it's not your account that has been compromised, but your phone and / or phone number.

It’s not the phone number as I have 2 of those. It’s definitely that one card. My only theory is the scammer had some second scheme in train but the changing of the credit card number meant they couldn’t carry through with it. I also have web access via a completely different process so it’s not the app although I will follow your advice when I change back to the Aussie number soon. I mean it’s not really a hassle having a credit on the account more of a nuisance not knowing why.

[Bluetongue]

21 hours ago, Highball said:

Cards convenient until they are a headache.

 

Use my method for never having bank, card problems..use cash.

 

Wife buys what meager goods I need online.

 

Life is simple here. Enjoy it.

 

CASH

I do use cash primarily, however the wife is less teckernogical than me. I have to do her online shopping but we get COD. However I have some other interests that require the use of a credit card, business expenses and the like

[KhunHeineken]

13 minutes ago, Bluetongue said:

It’s not the phone number as I have 2 of those. It’s definitely that one card. My only theory is the scammer had some second scheme in train but the changing of the credit card number meant they couldn’t carry through with it. I also have web access via a completely different process so it’s not the app although I will follow your advice when I change back to the Aussie number soon. I mean it’s not really a hassle having a credit on the account more of a nuisance not knowing why.

A scammer can't get lucky "brute forcing" a 16 digit card number, plus its expiry, plus its CVV, for the same person, in such a short space of time. 

 

Are you using this card in restaurants, hotels etc?  Are you handing it to people?  Who else has access to it?

 

This is why a suggested that when you "hit" on that link, you maybe have downloaded some spyware.     

[Bluetongue]

3 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

A scammer can't get lucky "brute forcing" a 16 digit card number, plus its expiry, plus its CVV, for the same person, in such a short space of time. 

 

Are you using this card in restaurants, hotels etc?  Are you handing it to people?  Who else has access to it?

 

This is why a suggested that when you "hit" on that link, you maybe have downloaded some spyware.     

I didn’t hit on a link. As mentioned in the OP I barely used this card, 3 transactions in the last year all via Pay Pal. So I also have some doubt about them. I don’t carry the card around so I don’t think it’s been skimmed. The bank staff expressed the view that the scammer might have used a random card number generator. But I was suspect about that because of the baht connection; I basically live here most of the time

[Bluetongue]

3 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

A scammer can't get lucky "brute forcing" a 16 digit card number, plus its expiry, plus its CVV, for the same person, in such a short space of time. 

 

Are you using this card in restaurants, hotels etc?  Are you handing it to people?  Who else has access to it?

 

This is why a suggested that when you "hit" on that link, you maybe have downloaded some spyware.     

I didn’t hit on a link. As mentioned in the OP I barely used this card, 3 transactions in the last year all via Pay Pal. So I also have some doubt about them. I don’t carry the card around so I don’t think it’s been skimmed. The bank staff expressed the view that the scammer might have used a random card number generator. But I was suspect about that because of the baht connection; I basically live here most of the time

[KhunHeineken]

6 minutes ago, Bluetongue said:

I didn’t hit on a link. As mentioned in the OP I barely used this card, 3 transactions in the last year all via Pay Pal. So I also have some doubt about them. I don’t carry the card around so I don’t think it’s been skimmed. The bank staff expressed the view that the scammer might have used a random card number generator. But I was suspect about that because of the baht connection; I basically live here most of the time

I'd be looking closer to home then.  No offense intended.  I did ask, who has access to the card, and yes, that means while you are sleeping and not at home, since you do not carry it with you.   

 

As explained, the chances of a card generator "brute forcing" a 23 digit combination, twice, for the same person, in a short space of time is vert low odds.   

[richard_smith237]

On 1/10/2025 at 8:00 AM, Bluetongue said:

So what is the scam?

 

Someone has managed to get hold of your credit card details and is trying to use it.

 

Its just that simple...   and its not uncommon at all - we use our card for most transactions (from Lazada, to Airlines, shopping malls, supermarkets, restaurants etc)..  Invariably we'll get stung once a year.

 

Wife calls up CitiBank (now UOB) and tell the transaction is fraudulent - they'll cancel it and issue another card (different number) and thats it.

 

Usually the scam 'transaction' attempt is a smaller amount at first - to see if the card is working, they they'll attempt something larger which will flag.

 

I've had this happen to my UK and Thai Cards - scammers are everywhere and its just par for the course now.

 

 

The only explanation I can see: You've used your card somewhere and the info has leaked.