Online fraud "expert" defrauded

[Paul K]

Well it can happen to anyone...
EL Reg

The founder of an anti-fraud website has himself become the victim of credit card fraud. Andrew Goodwill, managing director of Early Warning UK, a scheme set up to help retailers avoid credit card fraud, is down $600 (£329) after crooks used his credit card to pay for services online.

Far from being embarrassed by becoming a victim of a credit card fraud, Goodwill reckons his case illustrates the ease of card misuse. †œThis can happen to anyone. I was shocked when I found that someone had spent $600 on one of my cards to pay for online poker in the States. This shows that no-one is immune whether theyââ‚ ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢re the head of a major bank or a fraud prevention company,ââ‚à ƒâ€šÃ‚¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ÂÂ� he said.

The card number that was copied was for an online account with Egg which Goodwill took out for the free balance transfer facility. †œThe statements are online and because I needed a password I just didnââ‚ ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t look. It wasnââ‚ ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t until I queried another matter on my normal current account that I saw that the monthly minimum payment to Egg had doubled.ââ‚à ƒâ€šÃ‚¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ÂÂ�

[Chimaera]

Now I wonder how long he will have to wait to get the money refunded?

[mrm1]

I had a similar experience with an egg card. Again the card was only used once for a balance transfer, then the cards were locked away and never used again. Recently I had a call from the card centre asking if I had tried to buy an Apple computer in Liverpool for £1400 and if I had earlier that day bought a pair of jeans also in Liverpool.(I'm in Swindon). The card centre cancelled the cards and I have closed the account.

Fortunately I never got charged for the transaction.

The fraudsters probably make a batch of random numbered cards. Make a small purchase to see if the card numbers work, then go for the big purchases. Means your not safe even if you dont use your cards.