Informational Thread - A Warning for Anyone Who Reads This Thread!

[Two Flints]

Hello SSS,

Recently, I went on-line in search of an old friend, whose current location I did not know.  I went to the web site called, Intelius.com, they had helped me before in a similar search, and using my CC I paid a $6.50 fee, and in return, received the information that enabled me to contact my old friend.

Unfortunately, my CC# and Email address was captured by a company called Valmax, and this company began charging my CC for services??? I never signed up for or ever had any intention of using.  When the Valmax charge first appeared on my CC statement, I just assumed it was for something my wife had purchased on line, so I didn't question it.  When I noticed it a third time on a third CC statement, I asked my wife if the Valmax charge was a reoccuring charge for something she had purchased.  She didn't know what Valmax was and had never purchased from them on-line.  A Google search revealed that Valmax was charging CC users, especially those, who had visited the Intelius.com web site.  I was just another victim of the Valmax scam or fraud, whatever you want to call it.

I notified my CC bank and they promptly began reversing the unauthorized charges back to Valmax.

I thought I'd post this so that none of you would go through this same problem. I guess the message is check your CC charges carefully, and make sure you know what each charge is for and that they are legitimate charges to your CC account.

Two Flints

[Shenandoah]

Many of these scam companies only charge small amounts since many people do not question small amounts. However these amounts add up with thousands of fraudlent charges.

Check you CC charges and monitor your credit from the big 3 companies regularly.

Shenandoah

[Daniel Nighteyes]

Another suggestion is to be sure your CC company is itself on the lookout for potentially fraudulent charges.  Twice in the last three years, my CC company phoned me to verify suspicious-looking charges, and both times they were fraudulent.  Both calls were made to me within an hour of when the fraudulent charges were attempted.  And both times they closed our account, opened a new one, and sent our new cards right away.

Needless to say I plan to keep on doing business with them!

[Will Ketchum]

Another suggestion is to be sure your CC company is itself on the lookout for potentially fraudulent charges.  Twice in the last three years, my CC company phoned me to verify suspicious-looking charges, and both times they were fraudulent.  Both calls were made to me within an hour of when the fraudulent charges were attempted.  And both times they closed our account, opened a new one, and sent our new cards right away.

Needless to say I plan to keep on doing business with them!

The bank where I have my debit card called me after there were 3 gas purchases in a matter of minutes...Fortunately it was me at a pump that wasn't working right and after 2 tries I moved to another pump .  Still I was pleased that they took the time to check.

Will Ketchum