topic Re: Email from CC about possible merchant data breach in Community Chat

Email from CC about possible merchant data breach

Kalli — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 01:34:32 GMT

They're sending me a new card but when I called they wouldn't tell me who the merchant was, just that a merchant contacted them about a breach.

Wondered if anyone quits their card due to this? Won't that damage my FICO? If this has happened to you, what have you done about it?

I have checked my transactions and nothing unusual yet.

Re: Email from CC about possible merchant data breach

millieshops — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 01:44:27 GMT

I wouldn't quit -what's the purpose? Every card is subject to hackers just as every electronic device is. It sounds as if your bank has already taken steps to protect you.

If you're really feeling insecure, call and ask if they're going to offer you identity protection free for a time as well as issuing a new card.

Re: Email from CC about possible merchant data breach

Lucibee — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 01:50:13 GMT

I once had my CC email me that they were issuing a new card because one of the merchants had a data breach. It does not damage your credit. No charges were made on that card. I did however get a phone call one day from security of another card company asking if I was using my card at a specific place in another city. I said no. I went on line and was shocked to find someone was charging on my card in another part of the state. I had possession of my card. I told security to cancel that card and issue a new one which they did. I am now notified of large purchases and I check my cards online often.

Re: Email from CC about possible merchant data breach

Lotus — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 01:52:34 GMT

Same thing just happened with me with my debit card.....bank said it was a ""possible breach"". The vendor notified the banks of all card holders and when that happens they issue the new card ""just in case"". They would not reveal to me who said vendor is....because it was only a suspicion. If it is verified ""you will see it on the news"".

Re: Email from CC about possible merchant data breach

Kalli — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 02:53:38 GMT

I figured I might see it on the news. I'm one who won't even use a debit card because I know they're more likely to be compromised. So seeing this in my email concerned me.

I've had this card for a long time. Would not like to give it up but want to be protected. I realize the breach has already taken place but if I'm uncomfortable with this card, I'm not likely to use it. So why keep my account with this co?

Re: Email from CC about possible merchant data breach

Lotus — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 03:01:49 GMT

I don't think there will be a problem....they're going to close that account and issue you a new number.

Re: Email from CC about possible merchant data breach

OnlyShopsOnline — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 03:01:55 GMT

I got an email this evening, from Discover, stating that our account may have been breached.

I'm really not concerned. It has happened several times with our MasterCard. And, being that it is a credit card, you're not responsible for any fraudulent activity.

It's just a PITA because our cell phones, home alarm system, and a few other charges, go right to our credit card each month. So, now I'll have to make sure I change the account number.

I'm going to call and see if I can find out where the breach may have occurred. I'm thinking it may be part of the Home Depot breach of a few months ago.

Re: Email from CC about possible merchant data breach

september — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 03:30:30 GMT

I believe the Home Depot breach was in the fall. My debit card got cancelled in early December, because of that.

And if you ask the bank who the merchant responsible was....they should tell you. they told me both times. The first time, it was Target.

I'm not sure why anyone thinks it's the card issuer, who is at fault? The one to blame, is the retailer who didn't have adequate security in place.

Re: Email from CC about possible merchant data breach

Kalli — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 03:59:55 GMT

On 3/19/2015 september said:
I believe the Home Depot breach was in the fall. My debit card got cancelled in early December, because of that.

And if you ask the bank who the merchant responsible was....they should tell you. they told me both times. The first time, it was Target.

I'm not sure why anyone thinks it's the card issuer, who is at fault? The one to blame, is the retailer who didn't have adequate security in place.

I agree but if the cc company refuses to tell me who the merchant is, how do I know which merchant to avoid? I use my card for at least 20 purchases each month. The cc that sent me the email won't tell me which business is responsible for the breach. If I'm going to start avoiding using my cc at all the merchants I patronized recently, I might as well go back to paying cash or writing a check for everything.

Re: Email from CC about possible merchant data breach

OnlyShopsOnline — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 07:05:31 GMT

On 3/19/2015 september said:
I believe the Home Depot breach was in the fall. My debit card got cancelled in early December, because of that.

And if you ask the bank who the merchant responsible was....they should tell you. they told me both times. The first time, it was Target.

I'm not sure why anyone thinks it's the card issuer, who is at fault? The one to blame, is the retailer who didn't have adequate security in place.

Well, I called Discover this evening and asked them how the breach may have occurred. I was told they didn't have that information.

Oh well, it's their problem now. I'll just keep a watch on my account until we get new cards.

Re: Email from CC about possible merchant data breach

terrier3 — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 13:03:23 GMT

On 3/19/2015 Kalli said:
I agree but if the cc company refuses to tell me who the merchant is, how do I know which merchant to avoid? I use my card for at least 20 purchases each month. The cc that sent me the email won't tell me which business is responsible for the breach. If I'm going to start avoiding using my cc at all the merchants I patronized recently, I might as well go back to paying cash or writing a check for everything.

Once the breach has been FOUND, there is no reason to avoid them in the future. It sometimes takes months before companies know they have been hacked...but once they realize it, they take steps to secure everything.

Plus, you aren't responsible for one cent of money lost to this kind of fraud.

I was one of the people who used my bank card (debit/credit) to buy flowers at Home Depot last year. My bank issued me a new card. The only "hassle" was checking some of my automatic pays...that turned out not to be a problem either, because they wre linked to my checking account - NOT to the number of the debit/credit card attached to my checking account.

There is fraud inherent in checks too...they sometimes get "lost" in the mail and cashed by other people...and who wants to carry around huge sums of cash to pay bills??? It's not necessary - you won't be out anything in the case of fraud.

Re: Email from CC about possible merchant data breach

Still Raining — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 14:27:14 GMT

I am beginning to feel left out. I shop at Home Depot. I shop at Target. Where is my shinny new card?

Gotta wonder how they decide who gets one.

Re: Email from CC about possible merchant data breach

millieshops — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 15:37:10 GMT

On 3/19/2015 Kalli said:
I figured I might see it on the news. I'm one who won't even use a debit card because I know they're more likely to be compromised. So seeing this in my email concerned me.

I've had this card for a long time. Would not like to give it up but want to be protected. I realize the breach has already taken place but if I'm uncomfortable with this card, I'm not likely to use it. So why keep my account with this co?

I've kept one of my oldest cards through at least 4 different re-issues. My credit cards are my only "debt" at this point in my life - when I draw my FICO score up, although it's just fine, they tell me if I want to raise it I need to get a new mortgage or a car loan!!! Not happening. But, I do hang on to the credit cards that have a long history; that history continues even when the issuing agency changes the numbers for safety reasons as I understand them.

Re: Email from CC about possible merchant data breach

lulu2 — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 15:45:53 GMT

The past few years we've had (maybe) 3 reissues due to possible breaches. I doubt they had any effect on our credit report.

At this point in my life I really do not care about my FICO score. In the fall, I purchased a new car. I was surprised when they told me FICO score.

Re: Email from CC about possible merchant data breach

Kalli — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 19:17:02 GMT

I thought canceling a card affected the FICO? It's not that I need my FICO to be high. We've never had a problem doing business with our local bank. Still, I don't want my FICO to go down if it doesn't have to.

Anyway, I'm going to pay off the card this coming week. Then I'm going to tuck it away and see if I really miss using it. If not, I'll cancel it.

Re: Email from CC about possible merchant data breach

muttmom — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 19:24:30 GMT

We've cancelled a number of credit cards that we no longer used. Based on our present FICO scores it has not affected it.

Re: Email from CC about possible merchant data breach

terrier3 — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 19:52:23 GMT

On 3/20/2015 Still Raining said:
I am beginning to feel left out. I shop at Home Depot. I shop at Target. Where is my shinny new card?

Gotta wonder how they decide who gets one.

I think at Home Depot, only bank cards were compromised, not their own CC. I used my bank debit/credit card because I just bought flowers....so the card was caught up in the breach.

I exclusively use my Target card at Target to get the 5% discount, so they didn't need to reissue a card.

Re: Email from CC about possible merchant data breach

KathyPet — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 22:07:09 GMT

having a card replaced with a new number because your card was lost, stolen or compromised in some way does NOT affect your credit score. The account retains its original opening date, credit limit and payment history.

Re: Email from CC about possible merchant data breach

straykatz — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 22:13:35 GMT

On 3/20/2015 Kalli said:
I thought canceling a card affected the FICO? It's not that I need my FICO to be high. We've never had a problem doing business with our local bank. Still, I don't want my FICO to go down if it doesn't have to.

Anyway, I'm going to pay off the card this coming week. Then I'm going to tuck it away and see if I really miss using it. If not, I'll cancel it.

It can affect your score if you have balances over 30% of total credit lines between all cards. Typically if you cancel a card you should open a new one at same time that has same credit limit. Scores take into consideration your total credit line and unused balance along with length of time you had the card and payment history. You shouldn't close you oldest/longest standing history.