Mysterious quarter-sized charges
January 13, 2009
The Boston Globe reports that many people, possibly millions, have been seeing unidentified 25-cent charges on their credit card statements.
The charge shows up on statements as coming from “Adele Services” in Melville, N.Y. There is no business by that name listed in Melville, or registered to any business anywhere in New York, for that matter.
Two theories of what is going on have advanced on message boards and among consumer advocates: Someone is trying to find out whether an illegally obtained credit card number will work before making a bigger charge, or they’re trying to rip off tiny amounts from tons of people.
The latter theory has more credibility at the moment. The Better Business Bureau in Louisville reports that, at least so far, those who have been hit with the small charge have yet to get slammed with a bigger charge. The bureau speculates that the number of possible victims could be in the millions.
The article cautions consumers not to just let the charge slide “because that’s what the thieves want.”
Now why on earth would someone allow a false charge to pass on their account? You don’t know if it’s just a tester charge and a prelude to a major shopping spree on your credit card! Feh, I don’t care if it’s a dime they’re charging on my credit card. If I didn’t authorize it, I’m not paying that and the credit card company would be put on notice immediately. No messin’ around with my money!
I had a credit card number stolen last year, they tried to ring up several grand in audio equipment. A few days before that there was a small charge that I don’t recognize, I think it was a test charge to see if the card number was good. You could make a lot of money ripping off millions of people for small amounts.
Miss M: Oh and you would have to be on top of the charges on your cards to notice a small charge a few days before the thieves went wild. I could see a small charge going unnoticed for more than a couple days.
I just checked my statements and, thankfully, had no such charge. But now I’m all paranoid, haha. Thanks a lot! š
bart: Well if I’m going to be neurotically checking for the next six months, I’d like some company. š