Credit Card breached over the net

[Gecko]

I have a credit card I only use for internet and I only use trusted sites ie- Paypal, Google, Hosting company, ebay etc. However there was a debit on Monday (only a couple of bucks) from some funny Asian name. I'm sure it was only a test amount or something and only for the cc company stopped my card I'd say there was a substantial debit that would have followed.

Anyway my biggest concern is how the hell did they get my details as I am using a fully encrypted connection and have my firewalls on etc. Is it still possible to breach a laptop via the wireless connection despite all the security? I'm afraid they may have obtained other passwords like my server access and so on.

If there is a way to make it even more secure I'd appreciate any advice.

Gecko

[Nicke]

Sometimes hackers hack into merchants databases to get your details, most online merchants would never give your info away.

Even 4 and 5 star hotels here have problems sometimes, you only need one dishonest staff who sells the info to someone else to cause you problems.

I still think ATMs are the safest way, online you never know but merchants always have to pay back if online business fraud.

[Gecko]

For cash and purchases I always use my Siam Laser card and everything online I use my visa cc. As you say I guess someone managed to hack one of the online merchants and got the details from that, impossible to tell the source.

Thats why I always try to use paypal wherever possible so at least you are not giving out your cc details to the company in question.

I'm just trying to figure out which one of the 257 porn sites I'm subscribed to is the prime suspect!!!!

[ATMwalking]

Do you always keep your CC in a secure location between use such as a safe. Would an overnight visitor ever have access to the card?

Aside from that sounds like you are taking all the proper precautions.

[Gecko]

Yes absolutely positive about that becuase I always keep them in my safe 24/7. Litteraly only take them out for a specific purchase then they go straight back into the safe.

The only time an overnight visitor sees my credit card is when I'm out of cash and have to scan the card between the cheeks of her ar$e instead!! 55555

Originally Posted by ATMwalking

Do you always keep your CC in a secure location between use such as a safe. Would an overnight visitor ever have access to the card?

Aside from that sounds like you are taking all the proper precautions.

[Maverick351]

Some other ways that they can get your details are:
1. Hotel's that take an imprint of your card as deposit etc, (Later copying details.)
2. A manual transaction if machine or line problem, forcing them to do a paper transaction. Always insist on getting the carbon, as it has your card details, and can be later found out with the garbage.

Hope these help in being causious.

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by Gecko

I....trusted sites ie- Paypal, Google, Hosting company, ebay etc.

Some of these sites may not be "trusted". Paypal surely is; Your hosting company should be too and so should direct dealings with EBay and Google, however, independent merchants/sellers on EBay may process their own transactions. If you made a payment directly to a seller you should consider the following:

1. That seller now has your card number and may be involved in a credit card scam.
2. You may have bought something for a few dollars thinking you were paying "via" EBay, but rather you statement will reflect the merchant that facilitated the transaction, which may be in Asia.
3. The seller that you paid was not using a secure web site (https) and your credit card information was transmitted in a non encrypted way for any hacker to view if they have access to one of the many routers that your information went through.

Just some thoughts.

[likeitalot]

I realise you said internet only and I dont doubt this, but have you ever used it for anything else where it was out of sight for a few seconds? Thats all it takes to use a pocket sized skimmer.

[Gecko]

Originally Posted by Maverick351

Always insist on getting the carbon, as it has your card details, and can be later found out with the garbage.

Good advice but defo haven't used it for any offline purchases

Originally Posted by MrDK

Some of these sites may not be "trusted". Paypal surely is; Your hosting company should be too and so should direct dealings with EBay and Google, however, independent merchants/sellers on EBay may process their own transactions. If you made a payment directly to a seller you should consider the following:

1. That seller now has your card number and may be involved in a credit card scam.
2. You may have bought something for a few dollars thinking you were paying "via" EBay, but rather you statement will reflect the merchant that facilitated the transaction, which may be in Asia.
3. The seller that you paid was not using a secure web site (https) and your credit card information was transmitted in a non encrypted way for any hacker to view if they have access to one of the many routers that your information went through.

Just some thoughts.

Intersting info there, I think the last point you made is quite likely now that I think of it. I made a payment to a trusted source but I don't think it was a https site as you mentioned. Thanks for the heads up.

Originally Posted by likeitalot835

I realise you said internet only and I dont doubt this, but have you ever used it for anything else where it was out of sight for a few seconds? Thats all it takes to use a pocket sized skimmer.

Definitely not as I never leave it out of my site and I'm well aware of these types of scams. Anyhow I haven't used my card for a really long time for any purchases offline.

Its just so annoying because I have had to cancel the card and notify all companies that were using that card for Direct Debits etc. Also will take a couple of weeks before I get the new card because its being sent by normal mail (don't talk to me about this, I've done it to death with them but they insist they cannot overide the automated system to send by swiftpost). I can use other cards but really messes up the accounts for my business etc. Ah well it could be worse as at least I don't have to go chasing the company for my money back, I think I can let a few bucks go in this case!!! 555

[The Loop]

Originally Posted by Gecko

I'm just trying to figure out which one of the 257 porn sites I'm subscribed to is the prime suspect!!!!

Hmmm.....

Sounds like a ladyboy scam to me.

[Bushdoctor]

I got a phishing scam e-mail once from "Paypal". Not the real one but it looked almost identical, except they didn't use my name. It asked me to re-enter all of my information. Of course I didn't, but I can see where someone might. It looked authentic. Instead I called paypal and reported it.

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by Bushdoctor

I got a phishing scam e-mail once from "Paypal". Not the real one but it looked almost identical, except they didn't use my name. It asked me to re-enter all of my information. Of course I didn't, but I can see where someone might. It looked authentic. Instead I called paypal and reported it.

I get those all the time. Both EBay and Paypal has an address to forward such emails to: spoof@ebay.com and spoof@paypal.com

[LivinLOS]

I have seen some (well done I have to admit) scams with addresses like paypaI.com.. Done in Arial font it looks very convincing..