Houston...we have a problem

The only thing that I can think of...is that I was having problems with my computer several weeks ago. I could only log in using safemode because it kept crashing. I am wondering if a breach occured then...not sure if my antivirus is working when in safe mode. I did pay some bills online...not sure if I paid that one though. Then again....the credit card number is encrpypted on the banks website.  Oh well....I just hope this is an isolated event.  Thanks Telaya

Same thing happened to me late last year. Someone made purchases using my bank card and my credit card. Same store. Cards were in my possession. A few days after I caught the charges a news report came on that 16 other people in the Houston area had the same thing happen with the same merchant. I had never visited the merchant (Diva 21) which is now a defunct store in Katy Mills Mall.

American Express alway calls when there are unusual charges or the spending pattern changes.

I also have an alert on one of my cards to let me know if anything over $100.00 posts to the account.

I typically check my credit card statements online weekly and compare all charges to my receipts. So I am able to catch any fraudulant activity fairly quickly.

Make sure you file a police report. After I contacted each card company I called the police out to my house and filed a report and after I received certified statements from my bank and card company I called police back (at the recommendation of the officer)  to ensure it all went into the file. I just want to be covered if  they ever catch the crooks and to cover myself in the event any identify theft tries to occur.

Thanks Heavenly,

A lot of good advice here...I definitely will cover all bases as you suggest. Take it easy.