Vanilla reload broken PIN scam reports
Feb 21, 2013, 6:08 pm
#46
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PlM, 1M
Posts: 6,363
I had a similar experience after the funds disappeared off the VR I bought with the 6-digit pin. Because the funds had been transferred off the card, InComm require a police report to substantiate the fraud so they can attempt to reverse the charge (with Visa who they stated process the actual transfer).
A police report which must be picked up in person from their record department. Serious joy!
A police report which must be picked up in person from their record department. Serious joy!
Out of the country now, but by next move when I get home in two weeks will be to accuse ImComm of theft.
ImComm needs to own up for this fraud, as it is obviously happening with their support.
Last edited by MileageAddict; Jul 30, 2014 at 5:17 am Reason: removed masked obscenity
Feb 22, 2013, 4:17 am
#47
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: GA
Programs: SPG Gold
Posts: 186
I have had 6 phone calls and 2 sets of faxes (the second set because they clearly were just **** with me).
Out of the country now, but by next move when I get home in two weeks will be to accuse ImComm of theft.
ImComm needs to own up for this fraud, as it is obviously happening with their support.
Out of the country now, but by next move when I get home in two weeks will be to accuse ImComm of theft.
ImComm needs to own up for this fraud, as it is obviously happening with their support.
So, crooks either have to punch in ALL the cards they stole PINs from, which is probably many... or someone is helping them on the inside
Last edited by MileageAddict; Jul 30, 2014 at 5:17 am Reason: removed masked obscenity
Feb 22, 2013, 8:53 am
#49
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: GA
Programs: SPG Gold
Posts: 186
Feb 23, 2013, 8:52 pm
#52
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Up in the Air
Programs: DL DM, UA PP
Posts: 65
I wish I had seen this thread prior to buying some VRs. I'm located in the Atlanta area and I've had no issues before, but this JUST happened to me and the funds were gone within 2 hours as it took me some time to get home (I know I know I should have loaded them then and there but I forgot to bring my BB card). I've put in a call to Incomm and sent the relevant info. We'll see what happens and how long it takes to resolve. If not, I suppose my last resort is to dispute it with AMEX. Hoping for a happy ending 
Feb 24, 2013, 1:33 am
#53
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,179
Well, multiple posters over on the main AMEX B-bird thread would accuse you of running a scam for doing eactly such. Don't ask my why they think such.
On a more serious concern about this, the numbers could now be seen by the clerk. Have you changed one scam for another?
On a more serious concern about this, the numbers could now be seen by the clerk. Have you changed one scam for another?
Feb 24, 2013, 3:09 pm
#54
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 173
I have not seen this happening where I am, though it has had me worried. I am thinking that this very well could be an employee(s) at the CVS locations. I just bought two and tried to remove the whole film with a knife. This was a very easy thing to do as well as scratching off the numbers with said knife. Placing the film back down makes it seem all is well unless like people have been doing actually look for it to be tampered with. The reason I think it can be employees at CVS is that they can easily write down all of the pins and the last numbers on the cards bottom. All they need to do when you the customer leaves is reprint the receipt which anyone that has worked in retail within the last 10 years will know that is not hard to do.
Feb 24, 2013, 5:03 pm
#55
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 25
I really hope InComm has a plan to stop all of this.
Do you mind sharing the store location?
Do you mind sharing the store location?
I wish I had seen this thread prior to buying some VRs. I'm located in the Atlanta area and I've had no issues before, but this JUST happened to me and the funds were gone within 2 hours as it took me some time to get home (I know I know I should have loaded them then and there but I forgot to bring my BB card). I've put in a call to Incomm and sent the relevant info. We'll see what happens and how long it takes to resolve. If not, I suppose my last resort is to dispute it with AMEX. Hoping for a happy ending
Feb 24, 2013, 7:22 pm
#56
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PlM, 1M
Posts: 6,363
I have not seen this happening where I am, though it has had me worried. I am thinking that this very well could be an employee(s) at the CVS locations. I just bought two and tried to remove the whole film with a knife. This was a very easy thing to do as well as scratching off the numbers with said knife. Placing the film back down makes it seem all is well unless like people have been doing actually look for it to be tampered with. The reason I think it can be employees at CVS is that they can easily write down all of the pins and the last numbers on the cards bottom. All they need to do when you the customer leaves is reprint the receipt which anyone that has worked in retail within the last 10 years will know that is not hard to do.
The purpose of erasing the digits is to force you to call ImComm. That is why I would place and inside person there. Also that explains the ATL connection, as the inside person could either work by himself to tamper/plant cards, or use a close friend.
Feb 25, 2013, 3:26 am
#57
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Up in the Air
Programs: DL DM, UA PP
Posts: 65
Yea, this was the one around Sandy Springs area on Roswell Road slightly north of 285, but before Abernathy.
Feb 25, 2013, 5:34 am
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,186
Up in MA here and haven't had any issues, but will certainly be scratching off the PIN at the register now before purchasing... and then loading immediately after purchase.
I am already careful before I purchase to look at the cards and I'd go home and load within 10 min of purchasing, but I think best bet now is to scratch the pin at the register and then load with a smartphone while you're there or in the parking lot.
With the fraud being confined to ATL currently, it sounds like an organized group that is lifting and tampering the cards, then returning them to stores. Then they'd run through a spreadsheet of stolen PINs and try to load and see what gets lucky.
I am already careful before I purchase to look at the cards and I'd go home and load within 10 min of purchasing, but I think best bet now is to scratch the pin at the register and then load with a smartphone while you're there or in the parking lot.
With the fraud being confined to ATL currently, it sounds like an organized group that is lifting and tampering the cards, then returning them to stores. Then they'd run through a spreadsheet of stolen PINs and try to load and see what gets lucky.
Feb 25, 2013, 6:24 am
#59
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: GA
Programs: SPG Gold
Posts: 186
i think this is exactly whats going on...
Feb 25, 2013, 7:47 am
#60
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,689
This has been discussed multiple times in the large BB thread.
Because that thread was soooo large (and the info. would get easily lost) and it appeared to be multiple happenings I 'attempted' to open a thread to report the exact locations of the stores it occurred in and updates.
However, sadly that thread was 'locked and closed' after over 700 views and apparently no one willing to post the info.
It's nice to see folks (a few weeks later) finally think it's a handy idea to have the info. in one thread of it's own.
^It's obviously a scam (apparent from weeks ago).
However, if people are lifting them from stores, it should be easy enough for CVS to catch on camera (but no word of this even being attempted yet).