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Originally Posted by TTT103
(Post 35737218)
. My suggestion is to check the barcode on the back of the card and make sure it matches the number on the packaging. Also, slide your finger over the barcode to also ensure that there is not a slip of paper over top of it containing a different barcode.
I always do this |
New Issues with Citi and Chase
Crossposted in Safeway/CVS/Walmart master threads. Sorry for the crossposting blast, but this happened to me today in Safeway, then Walmart, then CVS, so I XPosted. Please let me know if that's not the best way....
Went into Safeway today to purchase a $500 SS VGC with my Citi card. Declined. Got the auto-text from Citi "Fraud alert, we just blocked this purchase. Was it you?" kinda thing, I texted "yes" back to them and got the response that said "Thank you" and basically, that I was good to go. I had already driven away by the time I get this text, so I stop at a different SW and it goes through. Next, I'm at a Walmart (NH Market) and I decide to buy a second SS VGC. Declined again. Switched to my Chase card with the intention of dealing with Citybank later, but Declined again! Hmmm... Got the text from Chase immediately "Fraud alert, we just blocked this purchase. Was it you?" I replied "Yes" and got the "Thank you" response. However, no text from Citibank this time. So, I call Citi and talk to a CSR. They remove the block from my card, and they put a "large purchase pre-auth" on the card, so I won't have this happen again. I've already driven away by this time, so I decide to try my purchase at CVS. I walk in, all the gift cards are behind the counter. The CSR says "we had to pull them behind the counter, and threw a lot away. There's a ton of bad cards going around right now." I ask for a SS VGC and try to pay with the Citi - Declined! I try to pay with the Chase - Declined! This CVS is super cool and says "why don't you call your CC company and I'll put the gift card on hold" so I do. I talk to the Citi CSR who removes the block again, and says "try now" so I try and - Declined. She looks and it's blocked again, she removes the block and says "Try again" - Declined. ...? She doesn't understand it either. She says she's putting a special note on my account and removing all blocks, please try again. I said no thank you. I'd rather wait a few days, then see what happens with the card rather that keep this nonsense up. I go home and call Chase (since the Chase was also declined). The Chase rep tells me it's because the amount I'm trying to charge, $505.95 is an amount associated to gift cards. He says there's a lot of gift card fraud activity right now, and the system is pre-programmed to auto decline and block amounts that look like gift card amounts. He then tells me "Gift cards don't have any specific transaction code, it just looks like groceries from our end, but the amount is the trigger". So, TL/DR - Both Chase and Citi automatically declined and fraud-blocked my cards when trying to make purchases between $504 - $506. Citi doesn't know why the system did that. Chase new the system had been updated to do that in response to high amounts of GC fraud. As always YMMV. Would love to hear any DPs on this from any of you. |
Originally Posted by SailorJoe
(Post 35762758)
Crossposted in Safeway/CVS/Walmart master threads. Sorry for the crossposting blast, but this happened to me today in Safeway, then Walmart, then CVS, so I XPosted. Please let me know if that's not the best way....
Went into Safeway today to purchase a $500 SS VGC with my Citi card. Declined. Got the auto-text from Citi "Fraud alert, we just blocked this purchase. Was it you?" kinda thing, I texted "yes" back to them and got the response that said "Thank you" and basically, that I was good to go. I had already driven away by the time I get this text, so I stop at a different SW and it goes through. Next, I'm at a Walmart (NH Market) and I decide to buy a second SS VGC. Declined again. Switched to my Chase card with the intention of dealing with Citybank later, but Declined again! Hmmm... Got the text from Chase immediately "Fraud alert, we just blocked this purchase. Was it you?" I replied "Yes" and got the "Thank you" response. However, no text from Citibank this time. So, I call Citi and talk to a CSR. They remove the block from my card, and they put a "large purchase pre-auth" on the card, so I won't have this happen again. I've already driven away by this time, so I decide to try my purchase at CVS. I walk in, all the gift cards are behind the counter. The CSR says "we had to pull them behind the counter, and threw a lot away. There's a ton of bad cards going around right now." I ask for a SS VGC and try to pay with the Citi - Declined! I try to pay with the Chase - Declined! This CVS is super cool and says "why don't you call your CC company and I'll put the gift card on hold" so I do. I talk to the Citi CSR who removes the block again, and says "try now" so I try and - Declined. She looks and it's blocked again, she removes the block and says "Try again" - Declined. ...? She doesn't understand it either. She says she's putting a special note on my account and removing all blocks, please try again. I said no thank you. I'd rather wait a few days, then see what happens with the card rather that keep this nonsense up. I go home and call Chase (since the Chase was also declined). The Chase rep tells me it's because the amount I'm trying to charge, $505.95 is an amount associated to gift cards. He says there's a lot of gift card fraud activity right now, and the system is pre-programmed to auto decline and block amounts that look like gift card amounts. He then tells me "Gift cards don't have any specific transaction code, it just looks like groceries from our end, but the amount is the trigger". So, TL/DR - Both Chase and Citi automatically declined and fraud-blocked my cards when trying to make purchases between $504 - $506. Citi doesn't know why the system did that. Chase new the system had been updated to do that in response to high amounts of GC fraud. As always YMMV. Would love to hear any DPs on this from any of you. |
Originally Posted by SailorJoe
(Post 35762758)
Crossposted in Safeway/CVS/Walmart master threads. Sorry for the crossposting blast, but this happened to me today in Safeway, then Walmart, then CVS, so I XPosted. Please let me know if that's not the best way....
Went into Safeway today to purchase a $500 SS VGC with my Citi card. Declined. Got the auto-text from Citi "Fraud alert, we just blocked this purchase. Was it you?" kinda thing, I texted "yes" back to them and got the response that said "Thank you" and basically, that I was good to go. I had already driven away by the time I get this text, so I stop at a different SW and it goes through. Next, I'm at a Walmart (NH Market) and I decide to buy a second SS VGC. Declined again. Switched to my Chase card with the intention of dealing with Citybank later, but Declined again! Hmmm... Got the text from Chase immediately "Fraud alert, we just blocked this purchase. Was it you?" I replied "Yes" and got the "Thank you" response. However, no text from Citibank this time. So, I call Citi and talk to a CSR. They remove the block from my card, and they put a "large purchase pre-auth" on the card, so I won't have this happen again. I've already driven away by this time, so I decide to try my purchase at CVS. I walk in, all the gift cards are behind the counter. The CSR says "we had to pull them behind the counter, and threw a lot away. There's a ton of bad cards going around right now." I ask for a SS VGC and try to pay with the Citi - Declined! I try to pay with the Chase - Declined! This CVS is super cool and says "why don't you call your CC company and I'll put the gift card on hold" so I do. I talk to the Citi CSR who removes the block again, and says "try now" so I try and - Declined. She looks and it's blocked again, she removes the block and says "Try again" - Declined. ...? She doesn't understand it either. She says she's putting a special note on my account and removing all blocks, please try again. I said no thank you. I'd rather wait a few days, then see what happens with the card rather that keep this nonsense up. I go home and call Chase (since the Chase was also declined). The Chase rep tells me it's because the amount I'm trying to charge, $505.95 is an amount associated to gift cards. He says there's a lot of gift card fraud activity right now, and the system is pre-programmed to auto decline and block amounts that look like gift card amounts. He then tells me "Gift cards don't have any specific transaction code, it just looks like groceries from our end, but the amount is the trigger". So, TL/DR - Both Chase and Citi automatically declined and fraud-blocked my cards when trying to make purchases between $504 - $506. Citi doesn't know why the system did that. Chase new the system had been updated to do that in response to high amounts of GC fraud. As always YMMV. Would love to hear any DPs on this from any of you. next time use 2 different CCs for the transaction with ending is odd #s eg xxx.17 if the store lets, I always did/dp that with SM kept the issuers to know what Im up to |
Two Sutton vanillas with issues
I tried to purchase 4 at CVS and two had to be destroyed as the cashier said that Visa is blocking them from being purchased and blocks them at point of sale due to fraud. Interesting I thought
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Originally Posted by cruisr
(Post 35938388)
I tried to purchase 4 at CVS and two had to be destroyed as the cashier said that Visa is blocking them from being purchased and blocks them at point of sale due to fraud. Interesting I thought
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Originally Posted by SailorJoe
(Post 35762758)
Crossposted in Safeway/CVS/Walmart master threads. Sorry for the crossposting blast, but this happened to me today in Safeway, then Walmart, then CVS, so I XPosted. Please let me know if that's not the best way....
Went into Safeway today to purchase a $500 SS VGC with my Citi card. Declined. Got the auto-text from Citi "Fraud alert, we just blocked this purchase. Was it you?" kinda thing, I texted "yes" back to them and got the response that said "Thank you" and basically, that I was good to go. I had already driven away by the time I get this text, so I stop at a different SW and it goes through. Next, I'm at a Walmart (NH Market) and I decide to buy a second SS VGC. Declined again. Switched to my Chase card with the intention of dealing with Citybank later, but Declined again! Hmmm... Got the text from Chase immediately "Fraud alert, we just blocked this purchase. Was it you?" I replied "Yes" and got the "Thank you" response. However, no text from Citibank this time. So, I call Citi and talk to a CSR. They remove the block from my card, and they put a "large purchase pre-auth" on the card, so I won't have this happen again. I've already driven away by this time, so I decide to try my purchase at CVS. I walk in, all the gift cards are behind the counter. The CSR says "we had to pull them behind the counter, and threw a lot away. There's a ton of bad cards going around right now." I ask for a SS VGC and try to pay with the Citi - Declined! I try to pay with the Chase - Declined! This CVS is super cool and says "why don't you call your CC company and I'll put the gift card on hold" so I do. I talk to the Citi CSR who removes the block again, and says "try now" so I try and - Declined. She looks and it's blocked again, she removes the block and says "Try again" - Declined. ...? She doesn't understand it either. She says she's putting a special note on my account and removing all blocks, please try again. I said no thank you. I'd rather wait a few days, then see what happens with the card rather that keep this nonsense up. I go home and call Chase (since the Chase was also declined). The Chase rep tells me it's because the amount I'm trying to charge, $505.95 is an amount associated to gift cards. He says there's a lot of gift card fraud activity right now, and the system is pre-programmed to auto decline and block amounts that look like gift card amounts. He then tells me "Gift cards don't have any specific transaction code, it just looks like groceries from our end, but the amount is the trigger". So, TL/DR - Both Chase and Citi automatically declined and fraud-blocked my cards when trying to make purchases between $504 - $506. Citi doesn't know why the system did that. Chase new the system had been updated to do that in response to high amounts of GC fraud. As always YMMV. Would love to hear any DPs on this from any of you. |
Has anyone used drivers license + passport to get more than 2k/day on the SAME credit card? Or is this a unnecessary risk?
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Originally Posted by camus
(Post 35941984)
Has anyone used drivers license + passport to get more than 2k/day on the SAME credit card? Or is this a unnecessary risk?
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Lucky me picked up another tampered vanilla today at my local CVS. It was the newer version with the barcode printed half on the sleeve and half on the card. The last eight digits of the card number were scraped off, and the magnetic strip was also damaged.
Another 60 minute call to customer service with an associate who spoke even worse English than the last few I dealt with. 7 to 10 days for the new card to arrive. I asked about FedEx, but the agent said that it was not an option. |
Originally Posted by TTT103
(Post 35950091)
Lucky me picked up another tampered vanilla today at my local CVS. It was the newer version with the barcode printed half on the sleeve and half on the card. The last eight digits of the card number were scraped off, and the magnetic strip was also damaged.
Another 60 minute call to customer service with an associate who spoke even worse English than the last few I dealt with. 7 to 10 days for the new card to arrive. I asked about FedEx, but the agent said that it was not an option. |
Originally Posted by jumbotron_
(Post 35950580)
Wow this is concerning, first time I heard of the new style packaging being tampered. Looking back were there any indications of tampering you could see before purchasing?
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Originally Posted by TTT103
(Post 35951147)
Yeah, I too was surprised. I still have the packaging and everything looked intact. They slit the envelope open somehow, as I do check them. However, what amazes me is that the barcode lined up. As soon as I saw the leaflet fall out, I knew something was up. Then I saw the hot glue on the card instead of the gummy adhesive. What a mess!
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Originally Posted by SailorJoe
(Post 35762758)
Crossposted in Safeway/CVS/Walmart master threads. Sorry for the crossposting blast, but this happened to me today in Safeway, then Walmart, then CVS, so I XPosted. Please let me know if that's not the best way....
Went into Safeway today to purchase a $500 SS VGC with my Citi card. Declined. Got the auto-text from Citi "Fraud alert, we just blocked this purchase. Was it you?" kinda thing, I texted "yes" back to them and got the response that said "Thank you" and basically, that I was good to go. I had already driven away by the time I get this text, so I stop at a different SW and it goes through. Next, I'm at a Walmart (NH Market) and I decide to buy a second SS VGC. Declined again. Switched to my Chase card with the intention of dealing with Citybank later, but Declined again! Hmmm... Got the text from Chase immediately "Fraud alert, we just blocked this purchase. Was it you?" I replied "Yes" and got the "Thank you" response. However, no text from Citibank this time. So, I call Citi and talk to a CSR. They remove the block from my card, and they put a "large purchase pre-auth" on the card, so I won't have this happen again. I've already driven away by this time, so I decide to try my purchase at CVS. I walk in, all the gift cards are behind the counter. The CSR says "we had to pull them behind the counter, and threw a lot away. There's a ton of bad cards going around right now." I ask for a SS VGC and try to pay with the Citi - Declined! I try to pay with the Chase - Declined! This CVS is super cool and says "why don't you call your CC company and I'll put the gift card on hold" so I do. I talk to the Citi CSR who removes the block again, and says "try now" so I try and - Declined. She looks and it's blocked again, she removes the block and says "Try again" - Declined. ...? She doesn't understand it either. She says she's putting a special note on my account and removing all blocks, please try again. I said no thank you. I'd rather wait a few days, then see what happens with the card rather that keep this nonsense up. I go home and call Chase (since the Chase was also declined). The Chase rep tells me it's because the amount I'm trying to charge, $505.95 is an amount associated to gift cards. He says there's a lot of gift card fraud activity right now, and the system is pre-programmed to auto decline and block amounts that look like gift card amounts. He then tells me "Gift cards don't have any specific transaction code, it just looks like groceries from our end, but the amount is the trigger". So, TL/DR - Both Chase and Citi automatically declined and fraud-blocked my cards when trying to make purchases between $504 - $506. Citi doesn't know why the system did that. Chase new the system had been updated to do that in response to high amounts of GC fraud. As always YMMV. Would love to hear any DPs on this from any of you. |
Originally Posted by jumbotron_
(Post 35950580)
Wow this is concerning, first time I heard of the new style packaging being tampered. Looking back were there any indications of tampering you could see before purchasing?
Originally Posted by TTT103
(Post 35951147)
Yeah, I too was surprised. I still have the packaging and everything looked intact. They slit the envelope open somehow, as I do check them. However, what amazes me is that the barcode lined up. As soon as I saw the leaflet fall out, I knew something was up. Then I saw the hot glue on the card instead of the gummy adhesive. What a mess!
Originally Posted by Zepcro
(Post 35951270)
Several weeks ago, I was in a CVS and the cashier started to open up the packaging for a Visa gc that I was about to purchase. I was stunned so I asked him why. He said that there were a lot instances of what happened to you but the interesting thing is that he said that it's an inside job. People in the factory do it so that's probably why the packaging looked fine.
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