03-23-2006, 11:44 PM
I recently was notified by Capital One that I had what appeared to be fraudulent claims on my credit card. Sure enough there were 2 attempts. They were for small amounts, $25 and $75. Certifion Corp. and Western Union. As far as I can tell it was through my YahooWallet account that I forgot I even had set up. The thing that made me really nervous is that Western Union called me about this after Capital One did. I have an unlisted number. Capital One says they do not give out names and numbers. Don't know how they got my phone number.
What I have learned. To change my passwords. I was lazy about this and I also tended to use the same username and password for a lot of sites. Not anymore. And I will change them every few months now. I will have to keep written lists now of all my passwords.
Also, signing out of sites. I don;t always do this.
I will not use Yahoo or other sites like this on public computers without signing out/logging off. Although I may shut down the computer, I am still logged on. I used my Yahoo account at work. I would come home from work and find that I was still logged on to Yahoo. Yahoo has only one password for all it's accounts. It may be simpler for the user, but it also is simpler for people trying to get into your accounts. . Never bought anything at work but somehow someone got it.
I have reported the fraud to all 3 credit bureaus and have a fraud alert at all three. It may be harder for me to get a loan now but I sleep better knowing that it will be harder for anyone else.
If anyone else can think of something else I should do, let me know. Of course, the original Capital One account was closed immediately.
What I have learned. To change my passwords. I was lazy about this and I also tended to use the same username and password for a lot of sites. Not anymore. And I will change them every few months now. I will have to keep written lists now of all my passwords.
Also, signing out of sites. I don;t always do this.
I will not use Yahoo or other sites like this on public computers without signing out/logging off. Although I may shut down the computer, I am still logged on. I used my Yahoo account at work. I would come home from work and find that I was still logged on to Yahoo. Yahoo has only one password for all it's accounts. It may be simpler for the user, but it also is simpler for people trying to get into your accounts. . Never bought anything at work but somehow someone got it.
I have reported the fraud to all 3 credit bureaus and have a fraud alert at all three. It may be harder for me to get a loan now but I sleep better knowing that it will be harder for anyone else.
If anyone else can think of something else I should do, let me know. Of course, the original Capital One account was closed immediately.