So right before Christmas, Target had a security breech with it's customer's information. I was lucky, although I had shopped during the time frame, I was not one of those effected. However, one of my friend's was, and his entire account was wiped clean on payday. In truth, he said if it had to happen to someone, he was glad it happened to him, as it was his supplemental income, his mortgage was paid, and he had no mouths to feed. He would have rather had it happen to him than any of the single moms he worked with at Target. In the end, it all worked out, his money was returned and all was well.
Fast forward a few months to September and the largest security breech so far, encompassing Canada and the entire US, through Home Depot's customers. A different friend was effected, but he is a contractor and is in and out of HD nearly everyday for business and his own home. So when he announced his accounts had been breached, I was sorry, but not surprised as the odds were not in his favor. After that, I honestly didn't think much about it. More specifically, I thought it wouldn't happen to me, as I had not been in Home Depot since July.
Except the breach happened as far back as April.
Three days ago I got a notice that my account was in overdraft. I knew my balance was low as this Friday is payday, but I thought I had managed it fine. Frustrated, because I thought I had been so careful, I wondered what I had forgotten to enter. So Tuesday night I checked online to calculate what I would need to put in for the rest of the week and I saw a weird processing free of $5. Still, I didn't think much of it, and on Wednesday morning I headed into the bank and put my cash in via the ATM. When I got home, I went over my account with a fine tooth comb to see what had gone wrong.
Scrolling through I found a transaction for $183.33 that had a strange tag line beneath it. Having shopped at a different grocery store that week, spending about $180, I dismissed it as the grocery store purchase. As I continued though I noticed the REAL grocery store purchase for $187.
Ding, Ding, DINGGGGGGGG!!!!!!
Needless to say, after 45 minutes on the phone with Citizens, they've issued me a new card and are now investigating the charges that originated from a foreign ATM. I sent it out on Facebook and told friends to check their accounts. The most interesting part to me is that of the many people I thought really had their finger on their finances, some confessed they would have had no idea if their account was breached or even what to look for (Small charges at first, then larger ones). The other scary part is that they pulled out just enough to get my account down to $2 on a FRIDAY. I can't help but think how bad it could have been had it been a pay week.
So, today's PSA is...
CHECK YOUR BANK/CREDIT ACCOUNTS!
Look for any small purchases, charges, or processing fees. Investigate tag lines you don't recognize. Look at your credit card statements, check the charges. And lastly PULL YOUR CREDIT REPORT. It's easy and FREE.
Because if it can happen to this broke Mamma, imagine how bad it could be for someone who actually has money.
Thanks for the warning. I don't know how my credit card was breached, but, fortunately, my credit union's fraud department called me as soon as two small charges came in from travel agencies. I would have noticed them the next time I checked my account online (which is frequently), but I was happy that the fraud services department informed me immediately, canceled my account, gave me a new card, and refunded the money.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Oh well, that is scary! I didn't worry about the Target one because they just said it was credit cards and we hadn't used credit cards there. But the Home Depot has me worried since it is both debit/credit cards. I don't know why it just hit me this morning, when I heard a report about it on the news, that I asked hubby "have we shopped at Home Depot recently?" (he tends to shop more than I do). He said yes and listed what he purchased. I better take a look at my bank account. Thanks for the heads up and warning!
ReplyDeletebetty
Target actually was debts as well, as my friend had used his to buy a soda on his break, and that's how they got his #. The breaches seem to be occurring now from shopping months ago, so you may want to keep tabs for a while. Good luck!
DeleteA good warning for a lazy accountant like me. Fortunately I shop at neither place, but that means little in this world.
ReplyDeleteAnd after I commented, I went to my institution's site. They had a whole bunch of new security features lined up for me to fill out. Seems like an omen to me. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYes, my other bank account has some warnings up now. Once I get my new debt from Citizens I plan to request a new one from Rockland Trust as well. I am also thinking about the credit monitoring through HD (free for a year). I didn't take Target's offer, but since Christmas is coming, it may be a good idea.
DeleteI'm a fanatic on checking my credit card/bank account every day online. Believe me I'll notice anything.
ReplyDeleteI had my accounts hacked several years ago and since I've been broke for the last three years, I check my account every few days and typically before I go spending anything. As much as I shop at Target, I'm surprised I haven't been hit yet. But it could only be a matter of time. But my spending is so predictable - groceries, gas, Target, the local pizza parlor, and a couple fast food joints. But it's always a good reminder to really take a hard look at your accounts every now and then to make sure, especially since America seems to be a breeding ground for hackers. And when it comes to the holidays, I pay CASH ONLY when I shop. Maybe I should just do that all the time . . . I'd really stick to my budget then! lol
ReplyDeleteI check mine daily and if something is not right I question it as we don't have much money to start with, it is something I worry about in the back of my mind but not overly if that makes any sense at all............
ReplyDeleteAs a PC gamer I have to endure every company starting their own distribution service and forcing people to create accounts which include everything from names to credit card details. How do they force you? The games don't work without an account. Naturally they've all had security breaches over the years.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Juli! The bad news? I shop at Target and Home Depot. The REALLY good news? Mrs. Penwasser goes over our accounts pretty much on a daily basis and asks me about any purchases I make. I'm convinced she would catch anything weird before too long. I really got lucky with her. Now, as to whether she got lucky with me...?
ReplyDeleteNOTE: Neither one of us has really gotten "lucky" with each other since the 80's anyway. Soooo.....
I am sorry that happened, but I am so glad that you caught it. A couple of years ago I noticed a charge on my debit card for Scholastic books that turned out to be fraudulent. Now I pay a dollar a month for identity theft protection. It's worth it!
ReplyDeleteAlthough why anyone would want to steal my identity is a mystery. The medical bills alone will bankrupt a small country!