Just thought I would share a quick story that might waken someone else up like it has me.
I am part of a membership at a local golf driving range near me and have always enjoyed it. Each month, they run my credit card number, which they keep on file, for the amount of my dues. Well about three months ago, I was notified by my bank that there had been suspicious looking activity on my account. Oddly enough, the person that had used the card bought around $1,200 worth of, get this... Golf Equipment. Ironic I thought. Luckily, the bank didn't hold me liable for anything and sent me a new card. Several days after I received my new card I took it by the range and informed them of what happened and gave it to them, albeit a little reluctantly. I was assured that the number was kept safely on a piece of paper in the managers office. I made a purchase on Amazon in that period of time and a local gas station also. Then, two days later I get a call from Golf Galaxy customer service informing me that someone was trying to buy stuff using my new card number on their website. I was furious. I called my bank, they confirmed the attempts and shut down my card again. This time they were not quite as congenial, probably because they thought I was trying to pull a fast one. At this point, I can't say with 100% certainty that the point of compromise was at the driving range but it sure looks that way. I contacted the range and spoke with the head manager. He heard me out and said he would start an investigation on his end. Surprise surprise, nothing surfaced. I filed a police report with my local law enforcement agency, but it seemed hopeless from the start. The officer was less than hopeful anything would come out of it. I know it didn't have the excitement of a CSI episode, but it is important to me. hehe I have heard absolutely nothing from them. Again, surprise surprise.
I didn't lose a dime thankfully. The problem is that my trust for using my credit card is gone. In addition, my favorite range near my home is now one I am avoiding on premise in some ways and paranoia in another. I will insist in the future that anything like this is paid annually and the card is swiped in my presence. HARD LESSON LEARNED.
I am part of a membership at a local golf driving range near me and have always enjoyed it. Each month, they run my credit card number, which they keep on file, for the amount of my dues. Well about three months ago, I was notified by my bank that there had been suspicious looking activity on my account. Oddly enough, the person that had used the card bought around $1,200 worth of, get this... Golf Equipment. Ironic I thought. Luckily, the bank didn't hold me liable for anything and sent me a new card. Several days after I received my new card I took it by the range and informed them of what happened and gave it to them, albeit a little reluctantly. I was assured that the number was kept safely on a piece of paper in the managers office. I made a purchase on Amazon in that period of time and a local gas station also. Then, two days later I get a call from Golf Galaxy customer service informing me that someone was trying to buy stuff using my new card number on their website. I was furious. I called my bank, they confirmed the attempts and shut down my card again. This time they were not quite as congenial, probably because they thought I was trying to pull a fast one. At this point, I can't say with 100% certainty that the point of compromise was at the driving range but it sure looks that way. I contacted the range and spoke with the head manager. He heard me out and said he would start an investigation on his end. Surprise surprise, nothing surfaced. I filed a police report with my local law enforcement agency, but it seemed hopeless from the start. The officer was less than hopeful anything would come out of it. I know it didn't have the excitement of a CSI episode, but it is important to me. hehe I have heard absolutely nothing from them. Again, surprise surprise.
I didn't lose a dime thankfully. The problem is that my trust for using my credit card is gone. In addition, my favorite range near my home is now one I am avoiding on premise in some ways and paranoia in another. I will insist in the future that anything like this is paid annually and the card is swiped in my presence. HARD LESSON LEARNED.