Vanilla reload broken PIN scam reports
Feb 25, 2013, 8:29 am
#61
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: DL, SPG, HH,
Posts: 29
Feb 25, 2013, 8:59 am
#62
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 25
This is madness. Seems like the thieves are hitting most of the ATL stores that sell the VR cards by credit card and perhaps those that do not also, but those probably would not be reported here.
Feb 25, 2013, 4:01 pm
#63
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 801
Maybe it's an organized effort by a small, dedicated group of rogue FlyerTalkers to help prevent folks from buying VRs which they can't possibly load to BB for weeks. This would help achieve the FT community's ultimate goal of slowing down those who purchase too many cards at a time, sharing the wealth, keeping the dream alive, etc.
To that small band of dedicated professionals, I salute you. Godspeed in your quest.
To that small band of dedicated professionals, I salute you. Godspeed in your quest.
Feb 25, 2013, 4:44 pm
#64
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,179
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.
This is what I've been doing from day one and never had any issues...
Feb 26, 2013, 7:12 pm
#66
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Up in the Air
Programs: DL DM, UA PP
Posts: 65
Just to update everyone, they just told me they are sending me a dispute form to fill out. I suppose some of you guys were able to get it resolved without this? I do know for a fact that the funds were loaded to someone else within 2 hours b/c when I called they said it was loaded to the same NetSpend account. They said dispute can take up to 90 days. Guess I'll be working with AMEX from the other side for this. So frustrating.
Feb 27, 2013, 4:28 am
#67
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: GA
Programs: SPG Gold
Posts: 186
I had to fill out the dispute form, but this is just paperwork.
However, yesterday, they told me to fill out a police report to proceed. This was some CSR and I am still waiting to talk to someone in the dep't itself. This is getting crazy. Seems they resolve some issues and make others jump through the hoops.
agoogilydoogily, do you have a direct phone number to get in touch with someone, or you always had to call the general number and get transferred?
i remember seeing something about somebody had to do police report?
What can CC company do?
We'd be disputing charge with CVS and seems they didnt do anything wrong...
However, yesterday, they told me to fill out a police report to proceed. This was some CSR and I am still waiting to talk to someone in the dep't itself. This is getting crazy. Seems they resolve some issues and make others jump through the hoops.
agoogilydoogily, do you have a direct phone number to get in touch with someone, or you always had to call the general number and get transferred?
i remember seeing something about somebody had to do police report?
What can CC company do?
We'd be disputing charge with CVS and seems they didnt do anything wrong...
Feb 27, 2013, 8:04 am
#69
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: DL, SPG, HH,
Posts: 29
I had to fill out the dispute form, but this is just paperwork.
However, yesterday, they told me to fill out a police report to proceed. This was some CSR and I am still waiting to talk to someone in the dep't itself. This is getting crazy. Seems they resolve some issues and make others jump through the hoops.
agoogilydoogily, do you have a direct phone number to get in touch with someone, or you always had to call the general number and get transferred?
i remember seeing something about somebody had to do police report?
What can CC company do?
We'd be disputing charge with CVS and seems they didnt do anything wrong...
However, yesterday, they told me to fill out a police report to proceed. This was some CSR and I am still waiting to talk to someone in the dep't itself. This is getting crazy. Seems they resolve some issues and make others jump through the hoops.
agoogilydoogily, do you have a direct phone number to get in touch with someone, or you always had to call the general number and get transferred?
i remember seeing something about somebody had to do police report?
What can CC company do?
We'd be disputing charge with CVS and seems they didnt do anything wrong...
I would consider disputing the charge with your CC. Keep it simple. CVS sold you something that had been fraudulently tampered with, thus making it worthless to you. They may want a copy of a police report as well.
Feb 27, 2013, 9:21 am
#71
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: ATL
Posts: 186
I had to fill in a police report.
Trying to explain the situation to the officer was interesting! There were definitely a few quizzical looks from him as I tried to go through the problem!
I've also disputed the charge with Amex...covering my bases.
Trying to explain the situation to the officer was interesting! There were definitely a few quizzical looks from him as I tried to go through the problem!
I've also disputed the charge with Amex...covering my bases.
Feb 27, 2013, 11:33 am
#73
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: GA
Programs: SPG Gold
Posts: 186
which police station did you go to?
Feb 27, 2013, 6:47 pm
#74
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PlM, 1M
Posts: 6,365
Just to update everyone, they just told me they are sending me a dispute form to fill out. I suppose some of you guys were able to get it resolved without this? I do know for a fact that the funds were loaded to someone else within 2 hours b/c when I called they said it was loaded to the same NetSpend account. They said dispute can take up to 90 days. Guess I'll be working with AMEX from the other side for this. So frustrating.
My issue was resolved about 8 days after this.
Feb 27, 2013, 6:54 pm
#75
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PlM, 1M
Posts: 6,365
770-882-2284 Then press # (I think, but you will be prompted) )to ring her. Somebody named Sherryl or such will answer. She sounded more on the ball than the CSRs were.