card skimming - US

Just a heads up, seems the skimmers are working Orlando, VS card security managed to stop ours trying to be used somewhere in NYC this week . Ours must of been "done" somewhere MCO over xmas week.

Always keep it in your hand, most waiting staff in eateries always insist on taking it away to process... ):

NH

NH.. Could I suggest that maybe get your card company to issue replacements with new numbers. It'll stop any future attempts for the gits to try it later when you think the risk has gone away .

Top Tip for all.....
When you use your card don't present it with the embossed side up. Present it with all the info facing down. Some undesirable looking over your shoulder can note the number either by memory or sneaky phone photo!.

it should be useless without the Pin but some countries (including USA) aren't all chip n pinned up yet).|:)

NH.. Could I suggest that maybe get your card company to issue replacements with new numbers. It'll stop any future attempts for the gits to try it later when you think the risk has gone away .

Yep, normal procedure...

Tip for all.....
When you use your card don't present it with the embossed side up. Present it with all the info facing down. Some undesirable looking over your shoulder can note the number either by memory or sneaky phone photo!.

it should be useless without the Pin but some countries (including USA) aren't all chip n pinned up yet).|:)

Quite pleased with MBNA's attention and immediate reaction to the issue.

And to add, it can happen anywhere. Our local Tesco cashpoint in the sleepy Cornish countryside had a device put in to clone cards. I've also had a fraud attempt on an account only used once and that was at Ikea!

We were in Orlando last November. We were filling up at Racetrac on West 192. I always prepay with cash inside but as I was low on cash I was considering using the card reader at the pump. The guy in front of me can over and identified himself as an off duty cop, showed me his badge, and advised me not to use the pay at pump option because of a spate of card fraud via this method. I have since heard that using UK cards in this situation is difficult anyway because you are prompted to enter your zip code as part of security check.

.......I was low on cash I was considering using the card reader at the pump. The guy in front of me can over and identified himself as an off duty cop, showed me his badge, and advised me not to use the pay at pump option because of a spate of card fraud via this method. I have since heard that using UK cards in this situation is difficult anyway because you are prompted to enter your zip code as part of security check.

I agree when using pay @ pump in USA.
Not true in UK and Northern Europe.

I know we are probably going off topic here but, remember what I said in my previous post...Chip and Pin isn't fully "live" in the US. So, any attempt to make a fraudulent transaction over there is easier than in the U.K.
Here in the U.K and Northern Europe and South Africa, we are PIN protected so, pay at pump is 99% secure.

Here in the U.K, there is no requirement to enter your post (zip) code into the card reader at the pump. The PIN entry and on-line card verification takes care of the security.

Use pay at pump knowing that your card info is secure in the UK (my company provides these and have developed an anti skimming protection into the design)....So, wherever you see our products you know you are secure and your card info is safe.
Sorry..its my line of work so I had to put my 2 cents worth in. )

If you ever come across a system for pay@pump which doesn't prompt for your PIN, either pay in the shop or leave the filling station ..just as in the USA. |:)


Paul

I've just come off the phone to the Fraud Dept. Someone has taken cash out of John's business account (my card) and Lloyds have said they will not reimberse him. I have the card and nobody not even John knows my PIN number. I only ever need to use it at certain places and even though history shows in 10 years we have never taken out cash, they are adament about not repaying.

I've just come off the phone to the Fraud Dept. Someone has taken cash out of John's business account (my card) and Lloyds have said they will not reimberse him. I have the card and nobody not even John knows my PIN number. I only ever need to use it at certain places and even though history shows in 10 years we have never taken out cash, they are adament about not repaying.

Sorry to hear about that.
The usual method of "skimming" is for someone (maybe in a retail store, restaurant etc) to get the card number and look over your shoulder either physically or with a "device" built into the skimmer to get your PIN number and then use the card.

Some chip and pin card readers (and cash machines) have a flat panel on them where a virtually invisible skimming device can be situated...that's when your info can be pinched.

I also have known hand held terminals in restaurants and even indoors, in fuel filling stations to be fitted with electronic devices (unwittingly by the owners/managers)and then the info used nastily.

Always shield your PIN entry with your other hand...then they cant get at you number easily.( I know I'm probably talking to the converted here...sorry)

Keep trying with Lloyds as they are usually quite protective of their reputation on card security.

Hope this helps
Paul.

Always cover your pin while entering it. In the UK if a skimming device has been fitted to a ATM or train ticket machine, it is also accompanied with a camera to record the pin entry.

Been using various cards in the US for years and never had to enter a pin. Rarely asked to sign anything, unless it is over $50. Using in Publix for shopping is really lax by UK standards. Swipe the card while the cashier is scanning goods and then sign on the screen. Never handed the card to the cashier. Olive Garden, TGIF and Longhorn take the card and I always go with them, they are not bothered by this. Eating in Denny's is security free, no pin, no sign and no problem. Keep your card in sight at all times

I have since heard that using UK cards in this situation is difficult anyway because you are prompted to enter your zip code as part of security check.

Generally, if you use a foreign credit card, putting '00000' when prompted for your zip code works.

Jonathan

I've just come off the phone to the Fraud Dept. Someone has taken cash out of John's business account (my card) and Lloyds have said they will not reimberse him. I have the card and nobody not even John knows my PIN number. I only ever need to use it at certain places and even though history shows in 10 years we have never taken out cash, they are adament about not repaying.

You may need to report it to get a crime number, which may be via action fraud online rather than your local bobby. Once you have that, present it to Lloyd's.

I am extremely careful to keep my cards in sight and to cover PIN pads etc, but my business MasterCard was compromised last year, probably in Manhattan. Fortunately the bank is very quick to spot these things and it soon noticed the fraudulent payments.

Interesting, I have always show military photo ID when purchasing in the US for the past several years, and chip and pin has been the normal rather than the unusual.

I did have an issue with a series of betting payments taken from one of my MBNA cards, last month, but the fraud department picked it up, got in touch and replaced the cards with a minimum of delay. No idea where the card details were obtained as it's not a card that I use often and keep at home?