danhouston

if card is registered, online purch likely can't work for scammer as info don't match; last yr, 1 of my registered gdvgc bought at WM got a pending charge of $1 on Amazon by scammer; so, I went ahead loading $499 to BB first, $1 pending charge was returned to the card few days later

if card is duplicated by scammer, it could work as debit with the card's last 4#

joemeckler

Curious, has anyone been getting non-authorized or debit transaction failed for MOs at Kroeger's and or Walmart with USB VGC from Kroegers in the last few days? I have been having a devil of a time liquidating........

Lovelabs2

When this happened to me in past with USB vgc from Krogers their CS told me the card was deactivated by USB for possible fraud….small charge made to see if card is activated and what balance is. That is the scammer MO for draining cards. Call USB CS and be prepared for a long hold or call to check balance on card with auto system. If you are redirected to CS rep from auto system you can bet card has been deactivated.

joemeckler

Yes, as soon as I purchase the VGCs from Kroegers, I call in immediately to check balance. If I get automatically redirected to CS rep, I know that US Bank has put a fraud hold on my new cards. However, I was able to call in and confirm my balances (no fraud?). So nothing seemed amiss. But I was getting denied at both my Walmart and local Kroeger affiliate.

Lovelabs2

Wow…that is strange. Looks like you will have to speak to USB CS rep about it then…..maybe the nag strip on card is defective…that’s only thing I can think it is for not working. Good Luck!

Idk

I was unable to load a USB VGC to BB at WMMC yesterday. Card balance was good, and WM is friendly and reliable. Had similar problem in early October. Started working a couple days later. Hoping this is just a temporary issue.

jn in ca

Yup, add me to the list. Happened to me at a WMNM. That makes three of us on this page. I had this happen twice last year, and both times i changed the PIN and went back and it worked with the new PIN. This time I have changed the PIN, and checked to make sure my money was still on the USB VGC, but I haven't gone back today to try it with the new PIN yet, so we'll see if the card works now.

Idk

Would appreciate hearing if it works or not. For now I’m going to hold off on USBs.

radonc1

Why not try a $99 load if you are not successful with the $500 one.

If $99 loads and $500 does not, that seems like bad juju to me

Lovelabs2

For the first time ever my $500 USB vgc didn’t work immediately after purchase….as noted in other DPs. $500 balance is there…so maybe USB has changed policy for activation time frame.

Also….saw something very interesting at my local Kroger affiliate store when I purchased USB vgc yesterday. There is a sign above the VISA and MC gift card rack….”Smile, you’re on camera”. This is new and wasn’t there last week. So my guess is that BHN and USB realize that grocery stores are main avenue for scammers to mess with these cards and are asking for the camera installation to deter them. I could be wrong but no camera over any other GC rack. Either way it’s a good thing IMHO. On the other hand it could also work against folks who buy many GC on regular basis. Anyone else see this change in there grocery stores? Thoughts??

Idk

I don’t think it’s activation time. I was able to use the card to make an online payment immediately after it failed at WM.

jn in ca

I'll throw out my dp. You guys can draw whatever conclusions you want from my dp.

I took 2 USB VGCs to my Walmart MC. I went online right before I left and made sure they were both good. Tried to buy a MO with no card splitting. First card swipe nothing happened. So I pulled out the second card and swiped it. Got a code 58. I made sure to get the little printed slip so I'd know for sure.

So I drove down the street my friendly WMNM. This time I made a small purchase at customer service, lotto tix, to make sure the card worked. Went through no problem. So I order a MO, no card split. First swipe nothing happens, second swipe it reads as a bad card swipe. I say to the guy "this is the same card that just bought the lotto tix." He says swipe it again. Instead I pulled out the other card to swipe and got another code 58.

Reading Reddit this week I see lots of reports of code 58, lots of declines at Kroger and Albertsons too, lots of cards being locked for fraud. One guy got through to a second level fraud rep at US Bank who said USB has had a lot of fraud the last few weeks. (Yeah, I had that figured out already!) Gee, if you were having a lot of fraud on your gift cards, you might get pretty ornery about people cashing out your gift cards for MOs too.

Sorry Kroger but I am going back to Safeway for now.

Lovelabs2

Update on my USB vgc not working yesterday or today….Per CS rep the card was blocked before I ever tried to use it….Full $500 still on card. Asked for reason it was blocked and told suspicious charge attempted. I literally tried to use it within 30 minutes of purchase yesterday.

it’s getting very dicey with USB GC fraud and it confirms that the scammers are definitely targeting these cards at grocery stores. Fortunately USB has upped their game with proactive security measures.

danhouston

darn, sounded that their vgc would likely often be blocked for large amt?

Lovelabs2

That certainly could be happening now if DP 552 above is true with USB having more fraud last few weeks. IMHO I think, with inflation now at record levels, scammers will be working OT now and in future for a free ride. Buckle your seatbelt and be extra vigilant with USB cards.