Community Chat

[Ladylaughsalot]

Have any of you ever had your personal bill-pay accounts hacked into at your bank?  This morning we received an e-mail from our bank which stated they had removed one of my payees due to suspicious activity.  I went online to my account and someone had tried to take just over $2,000. from my account to make a payment to Verizon.  Luckily, for me, Verizon realized the money was coming from my account, and rejected the payment, because their records show that I do not owe that.  This is really bothering me. How on earth did someone get into my e-pay account?  I have never heard of this before.  Have any of you herad of this happening to anyone else?  Now, I have to change my passwords, and reset Verizon as a payee for future payments.

[Tuppermore]

I have 2 daughters and 2 daughters-in-law that all work for financial institutions.  I have chosen not to use online bill pay because of all of the hacking that goes on.  However, they all tell me that if you are going to do it, the safest way is to use a bank that pays your bills for you online rather than use the bill pay service offered by each individual business.  They have tighter security than the various companies.  I have eliminated my credit cards down to only two, Kohl's and the QCard.  I have no problems with either of those.  I take my payment for Kohl's to the store.  My understanding is that Synchrony Bank assumes all responsibility for hacking.  I have had no problems since eliminating my AmEx and Bank of America cards.  I don't know if that helps.  My four girls are all in management and 2 are VP.  They have always been a great source for me to ask  banking questions. 

[Ladylaughsalot]

Tuppermore, my e-pay is set up exactly as you described - everything comes directly through my bank.  I didn’t set any payments up to go to companies through their own electronic pay system.  I’m shaking right now.  I’m so upset that someone could actually get into my e-pay.  Now, I’m wondering if changing my password is going to be enough. I hate the thought of having to sit and write checks every time a payment is due, but if that is the only way to be safe, then so be it.

[Montana]

I pay my credit cards by phone.  So far, no problems.  I started phone pay after a large Amex check went missing.  I put a stop payment on it, but it never turned up.

ETA: I don't trust online pay. Always had a bad feeling about it.

[Tuppermore]

I'm very sorry this happened.  Unfortunately, people are so terribly dishonest today.  This is the main reason that I do sit and write the checks and spend the money for stamps.  We had our AmEx hacked 4 times in 5 months about 3 years ago and our Bank of America was hacked twice.  No money was taken, but it is such a hassle to get new cards and change numbers.  I don't have any solution because the bank is the most secure way according to my girls.  I'm concerned about skimmers that are being used at ATM's and gas pumps.  I won't even use an ATM anymore.  I don't receive my statements online either.  I also have RFID sleeves for each of the cards that I have.  I just try to do everything that I am aware of that will make it harder to steal my information.

I read that if you shop online, pay bills online, use ATM's, etc. you have a much greater risk of having your accounts breached.  I just try to do everything with paper and shred the paper twice a year. I am very sceptical about paperless transactions.  I know they work and save time, but one breach can ruin a person.  We are a part of the Equifax mess.  My husband decided it was worth the $12.95 we pay each month to have our information protected. It is sad that a few dishonest people have ruined things for all of us.   I hope you find a solution.

[esmeraldagooch]

Charm, Did you talk to the fraud department at Verizon?   I had someone set up an account with Verizon and charged my credit card.  The Fraud department got it straigtened out.  They may be able to see if this was done by a rogue emoloyee on their end.

After the equifax hack I saw a article about double identification on bank accounts and brokerage firms.   I went to my WF account and set it up right away.  Now I have to put a pin number in they send me to enter my account. 

 Your bank may be able to see if a rogue employee did it to you also....

[Kachina624]

I've had bill pay since the day they started it and have never had a bit of trouble.  I suppose someone to whom they sent a check could have tried to alter the amount or change the payee.  I've had my B of A debit card hacked at least 3 times but the bank always caught it.

[NicksmomESQ]

   I pay my bills the old fashioned way.I will never allow a bank to pay my bills .I know several people who have had problems .Yes, I know there are people who do it all the time & have never experienced an issue. I just want to maintain physical control of my checkbook!! That’s a power I just don’t want to surrender..To each their own. 

[jlkz]

I am one of those folks who doesn't do bill paying online or on the phone.  Paper checks.....when we are snowbirding, I prepay 4-months' worth of most simple bills.  I put some items on " vacation " status for a truly minimal amount of $, e.g. Cable service.

Since we use Visa credit cards for most expenses while away, we pay those monthly.

The more I read of these posts, I am staying with paper.  Also, freezing the 3 credit reporting companies is making more sense.

Thank you all for sharing the different viewpoints.