Community Chat

[AKgirl2]

By referring to shady characters, unfortunately there are so many homeless in Anchorage....I was so surprised .  Then my son explained about the drug and alcohol problem.  Per capita, it's off the charts.  Walmart and the surrounding area is where there are so many.  I try not to give them money when they approach but my son and I pass out hand and feet warmers during are long, cold & dark winters, and we also buy socks and pass them out, coffee as well. It makes one feel good and you just never know what life has in store for you.  Also, Walmart happens to be close to my neighborhood and that's where I see lots of homeless folks, but they are all over Anchorage.  

Please give anyone in need a helping hand, you'll be their (earth) angel for the day!👼

[Puzzle Piece]

Geez, now Walmarts.  Thanks for the info. 

[goldensrbest]

I got a call this week from one of my credit card companies,saying there has been charges on the card, checking to see if it was me, many purchases ,from places i do not shop.

[Mz iMac]

@Say Nay

"I wonder if I will ever have to defend myself if my bank denies my claim."

If you report it in a timely manner, you should have no problem.

When you get your cc statement, review it w/a fine tooth comb.  Any errors, call your cc immediatly.

[Deanie]

That is why banks are switching to chipped cards.  Encryption that is very difficult to replicate. I am not surprised and believe it to be an inside job. Europe has had chips for 10 years.

[Trinity11]

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@The Monkey on My Back wrote:

I know this happens at gas pumps and outdoor ATMs but I'm surprised this was inside Walmart stores (and Safeway).

"In just the last few weeks, card skimmers — devices that illegally scan customers’ credit cards –have been found at two different Walmart stores. The skimmers in these cases were so convincing that they may have been in place for weeks for being discovered.

The first report came out of Fredericksburg, VA, in early May, where police say the skimmers may have been installed as far back as March. The skimmers were discovered after at least 37 account holders of a local credit union were hit by large, unexpected withdrawals from ATMs.

More recently, police in Fort Wright, KY, say a skimmer was in place at a local Walmart for a week before it was identified. No word yet on how many customers were victimized by this scheme...

Similarly convincing skimmers were used last year at Safeway stores in Colorado and California. Those skimmers were made to be undetectable to customers swiping their cards as they pay for their groceries..."

https://consumerist.com/2016/05/26/card-skimmers-found-on-walmart-self-checkout-terminals-in-two-sta...

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Does that mean the chip cards can also be skimmed?

[chickenbutt]

Tam - I've never had a single problem with getting fraudulent charges removed.   Hopefully, your have that same experience!  

[lucymo]

I honestly wonder if there is a way we can protect ourselves from these skimmers.  I was worried about using my  chip debit card where they didn't have the terminal for it and still had to swipe.  I got a letter from my bank that said go ahead and swipe the card.  Now, before I get over that new things show  up.  I think I'll do what someone else on here mentioned,  get a prepaid card.  I don't do well with cash, it goes too fast.  I'll dollar it away.  Thanks for posting.

[MoJoV]

Wouldn't the chipped cards be safe from that?  A only use my chipped card every where.  And NO DEBIT CARD, I charge everything then pay off every month.

[hoosieroriginal]

I prefer to carry cash - never do I swipe  my card at a gas station or ATM for sure - I go inside the bank when I need money.  Plus, after shopping, I put away all of my $1 bills and change and at the end of the month I have a nice little savings!