/life/sabbatical/Credit Card Fraud
Yesterday I looked over my credit card, and noticed a charge I didn't recognize. A few phone calls later and it turned out someone had been using my card to buy wireless time in Toronto.
One of the merchants (who will rename nameless) erred somewhat in giving me the details of the purchaser — probably a violation of their privacy policy, notwithstanding the fraud — which included a phone number one digit off from mine (the phone is currently off), an email address @live.com, and an address that turns out to be a bike shop in Toronto.
Visa was prompt and effective, even promising to investigate the oldest fraudulent charge which was over three months ago. I'm surprised that they got away with it; it seems like the fact that they used a name, email and phone number that weren't mine would enable Visa to shut down that purchase, if the merchants were sharing that information.
The whole thing reminded me of this YouTube clip:
