But the point is activating them at a store thats worth something. Unless your POS at home is coded as like an office supply store or something...

I just thought of a vague idea of fraud...not in details. And, yes, being one of the bonus categories help. And, you just gave me an idea. Maybe they stole because they can activate it at one of the home improvement stores since that's hot for this quarter? Or they just might think that resources are scarce. Take the cards now before shelves are empty, come back later to activate. Any case, crazies to me.

And, more importantly, you're a registered vendor. I doubt Incomm will activate a card coming off a random terminal

I've noticed on my last attempt to buy 1K that my usual go to locations have now posted signs that say all "prepaid debit card purchases are cash only." Manager says that VRs fall under this new rule. Seems like a crap shoot when visiting different locations in the area some say its RIGHT others say its WRONG :rolleyes:

In the SF East Bay Area, 4 stores I've visited don't stock VR but allow credit card purchases of $4.95 Visa $500 Prepaids (cost $1 more than VR). The other 3 stores stock VR but strict cash only (debit in one case) on all prepaids. I walked out of all three stores, indicating I needed credit card reward points on the purchase.

Thats because people were hiding it. Your OC store isn't in Irvine is it??

What part of the country are you in?

Interesting. Going to be in town tomorrow night and plan a trip to the local CVS stores to get some cards. Will note to check behind the counter

I have found people hiding them in strange places in a few of the Irvine locations...for a while I just kept grabbing the ones behind the xbox360 cards he/she hid :)

People in Irvine got really crazy at all 5 stores I used to visit with hiding/stealing. Now I just go to some other OC stores where I NEVER have trouble finding or buying VRs.

I bought two cards yesterday on a USBank card no problem at one store. Later in the evening when I passed a different store I tried to buy one with the same card and it didn't go through and printed out a receipt with a number to call to get an authorization. I just used a different card and had no problem. Is that the alternate payment required error? I've never had that happen though not sure I've ever tried to buy more than two with the same card in one day. Thanks.

In my experience "Alternate Payment" comes up when your CC issuer flags the transaction. I've had this happen in the situation you note - bought VR's at CVS #1, no problem. Went to CVS #2 20 minutes later with same CC and got the error. Had to call the bank (Chase) and tell them everything was fine. Did you get a call from your CC about the transaction?

If the problem is not with your CC, then it is any number of system problems at the store. However, the fact that you were able to use a different credit card for transaction #2 makes me think it is the CC.

I know of at least 5 stores in the OC that have now placed there cards behind the counters. There are at least 2-3 stores near the beach that keep well stocked card racks though.

UPDATE: Went back to store no. 1. Used different card, 1K no problem. It was definitely a "flagging" issue.

Yeah no fraud alerts or anything from the CC. I thought maybe CVS just had an internal limit per card that I hit. I'll try calling the number later today to see if its a CVS number.