Credit Card Cloned in Fort Lauderdale

Posted 11/14

It happened again. Since my card was cloned 2 years ago, I've subscribed to email notification, which sends me an e-mail whenever either my card is used without being swiped, or for any purchase over $50. I got a notification Monday evening that someone had spent $497. at dsw.com, an online shoe store.

I immediately called American Express and there was one other unauthorized charge; we'd caught it before the charges were put through so it was a no-hassle replacement. They canceled my card and overnighted me another card.

Breaches at Target and Home Depot

Whats interesting is that I've stopped using my Amex card; I'm using another rewards card that gives me better rewards. If you're not aware, both Target and Home Depot have reported in the last 6 months that they've been hacked and their CC charge records were compromised. I've shopped at both stores, so I suspect that they got the card number from one of those breaches.

I suggest that you check your statements; better yet use online services to check recent and pending charges regularly. Or just avoid the stress and request a new card if you've shopped at Target or Home Depot.

Article Posted 12/1/12

I got a call from American Express this morning. Apparently someone was using my Credit Card all over Brooklyn and Queens. Gas Stations, Parking, Auto Zone, McDonalds, Macy's and a couple of places I've never heard of. Stealing credit card numbers is an age old problem; remember when you were told to tear up your carbons? What was different about this was that the card was swiped at multiple locations that morning; which you'd think can only happen if they physically have the card. Except I had my card in my wallet and I hadn't left the house.

Things like this is one reason that I refuse to use a Debit Card; when my bank sends me one unsolicited I cut it up. One of the reasons to use American Express is that you deal directly with them, and they're very good at such things. With a debit card they could clean out your account before anyone detects it, and then you have to wrangle with your bank to get your money back.

How it's Done

If your card was cloned, it was probably skimmed by your server at a restaurant or bar. There have been several busts here in South Florida; all with the same MO.

Credit Card Skimmer

The small, battery powered scanner can go in a server's apron, where they can covertly scan your card while they take it to the restaurant's CC terminal. In one scenario, the information was transferred to a 3rd party via an iphone and charges were being made for online purchases before the person even left the restaurant.

To clone a card, the information is transferred to someone with equipment that can create cloned cards complete with holograms; and the information is loaded exactly as it is on your card.

A server can get between $1 and $10 per skim for participating in this; they can probably also get a few years in prison.

While its possible that my information was skimmed weeks or months ago, it's more likely that it was skimmed in the last few days. The first charge was made on the 30th at Macy's. Interestingly, I had lunch and used my card at Season's 52 on the 28th.

I'm not one to use my credit card for everything, so there aren't a lot of places I've used the card in the last 10 days. Since where I go is fairly well documented anyway, I'm going to list where I used the card for the previous 10 days before the first charge.

11/19 Chevron (corner of Davie Blvd and US1)
11/23 Southport Raw Bar
11/27 Copper Kettle Restaurant
11/28 Seasons 52
11/30 Cafe Vico

The only thing suspicious was at the Chevron Station, where I had trouble getting the machine to accept the card. Apparently the wrong pump had been authorized for someone who paid inside.

If anyone else has had their card cloned recently and you used your card at one of the same places, please let us know. Spread the word; we need to catch these people and drive them out of our community. Please use the contact form and provide a valid email in case we get enough hits that law enforcement may want to contact you.