This past weekend, my credit card was declined at various venues. It turns out, there was a fraudulent charge made on my card.
The problem with verifying fraudulent charges is that they make you do it over the phone. All online access to your account is locked. This can make it difficult to remember exactly which charge you made, especially if you’re the kind of person who forgets the various places you’ve been in the past few days. A lot of context is lost.
As I was on the phone, trying to remember exactly what I did, I remembered my foursquare account. Foursquare is a fun little location aware app I recently started really getting into. They make it a game to check-in online whenever you arrive at a new venue.
With the super secret check-in history page, I had in hand all the places I’ve been in the past few days, and could easily spot the fraudulent charges.
In essence, foursquare has now become my very accurate location memory. There are definitely fun social aspects about using the service, but what I find compelling is that diligent users of location aware services like foursquare will find lots of situations where location data is a logistical gold mine.
Now, if I only I can figure who’s been making those big online retail purchases.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Your situation, of course is not a new one. However; I think many of us can empathize with you.
Just very recently, my Brother-in-Law discovered that someone had apparently copied his Debit card, and was using it about 3,000 miles from his home.
Fortunately, his bank realized it was very likely a fraudulent charge, and called my brother-in-Law at home, even though it was the middle of the night.
Someone had at first attempted to charge gas on the card, but it was declined as the perpetrator did not know the correct zip code.
However; Later either the same day or the next, whoever had the card, charged tones of things, and used every penny in the account, as well as all of his overdraft protection.
Thanks to a bank who was actually on top of things, my dear Brother-in-Law, and my Sister only had to make a couple of short term loans to cover the losses, until the bank could verify the illegal acts, and replace the funds to their account.
Of course, the current Debit Card was immediately cancelled, and a new one issued.
So far, this whole thing has only taken a couple of weeks, instead of years as with many circumstances, such as when someone actually manages to get your Social Security number, name and date of birth, etc.
Hang in,
hdcs007
April 2nd, 2010 at 7:26 am
Awesome post, it looks like a lot of hard work is involved behind this . . . Very helpful post. Thanks so much!