I finally gave in and bought an iPhone. 3 Weeks Ago. Before knowing that iPhone5 would be coming out. Whatever. I wanted Siri. And, after reading the reviews about iPhone5-bigger screen, much lighter, but no more Google Maps and snafu reports i.e. apps that aren't functioning with the new iOS6, which is not only part of iPhone5--but a latest operating system upgrade available for all other iPhones. Like 100 million other idiots, I downloaded that to my new (well, not so new) iPhone.
2 days later
I receive an email notification from Amazon confirming my purchase of a $700 flat screen that was delivered to an address in Texas that I've never heard of. As a matter of fact, I didn't order a $700 flat screen from Amazon, but I did attempt to download the Amazon app to my new iPhone because I wanted a Kindel book that Nook isn't carrying yet.
2. Concerned that if my Amazon account was breached, I figured I should check my credit card statement via the Citi online platform. Within 10 minutes of investigating the phishing attack (or an identify theft attack), I then went to my online credit card
3. I immediately noticed a $506.12 charge that purportedly took place today. The merchant was not identified, and the only information displayed by Citi was the merchant category ("Home Supply Company")
4. In the past 30 days, I hadn't used that credit card to purchase anything other than gas, train tickets and other sundry items--all under $75.00.
5. I called Citi. I was on the phone with 4 different customer service and fraud representatives over the course of 4 hours. F-O-U-R H-O-U-R-S (4). I might as well as have been connected to an Asperberger's clinic.
6. The Customer Services representatives insisted they were unable to view any transaction on my account re the $506.12 charge. They couldn't explain why it was displaying on my online dashboard. Hence, I was transferred between the 'customer service' dept and the 'fraud detection' dept 2x during the 4 hours of attempting to find someone that could what was going on.
7. While at 3hrs 50min, I logged back on to my credit card account to discover the $506.12 charge was no longer there. No memo statement re a reversal or a credit. It was as if the charge never appeared. It did and I have a screen shot to prove it. Citi customer service reps that I was last on the phone with couldn't even begin to figure out how why a transaction displayed on my account, and disappeared with no trace. If I wanted to find out what happened, I was told to contact customer service.
8. While in one of those 'hold' moments with Citi--I received an incoming call from JP Morgan Chase. At least that's what my caller ID displayed. I put Citi on hold and took the JP Morgan call and the caller very quickly provided his name (I was distracted because I didn't want to lose the Citi call)--and then said he was calling about a check being presented to JPMorgan with my company name and he was calling to confirm the account. I don't bank at JPMorgan
9. Distracted--I asked to repeat who he was (even though I didn't write it down)..and what was the account name on the check. It turned out to be a very close rendition of my business account name. I asked how he got my phone number, and he said he Googled the name on the account. That's great. local banks are using Google to verify facts when being presented with checks.
10. I'm taking my profits in Apple , buying Google, and shorting more Citi.
Apple is a great company, but I'm thinking someone slipped on a bar of soap. 2 days after I download IOS6, I'm blanketed with phishing attacks, attempted check fraud, a credit card overcharge--all within 4 hours. Somethings not right, besides the fact that its obvious that Citi (and likely every other bank) has no idea what's going on inside of customer accounts, and how hackers are walking through their stores as easily as a burglar walks through dept stores in the middle of the night.
No comments:
Post a Comment