RandyBrian Loc: Texas

I found out this afternoon that someone, apparently in Alabama, was able to 'tie' their account to my two credit union accounts (one savings and one checking) and used the online banking app to drain $600 from each one.
Both the credit union and the police are now involved, and are investigating.
Friends, most of you know me well enough to know I am neither foolish nor gullible. We take banking security very seriously. We each have a debit card. We do not know each others pin number. We are the ONLY two who are authorized to access our accounts online, and my wife does it so rarely that I doubt she remembers the password.
I literally have NO idea how these bad guys got into my account, and the credit union won't speculate until they have investigated.
Our online banking is now locked, and will remain so until the facts are known. Withdrawals will, for the time being, have to be done in person at the branch office where I am personally known.
Praise the Lord, this happened at a time when the loss will not be a problem to cover, and hopefully it will be refunded to us in due time.
If anyone has any ideas how such a thing could happen with NO known mistakes or carelessness on my part, I would love to hear those ideas. Speculate away, if you wish. Besides this situation making me mad, I am frustrated at not knowing how they did it. It leaves me unsure on how to protect myself from future thefts.

proud republican Loc: RED CALIFORNIA

So sorry to hear that... I see commercials LifeLock where they help with problems like yours... Maybe you should try them Life Lock

https://lifelock.norton.com/

Kevyn

Likely a skimmer on an atm or gas pump you used.

Wonttakeitanymore

Yes they also have a device that can read ur cards while they walk by! My sister has been hit several times! I always grab the reader to make sure it’s part of the machine and I cover my numbers when I put my pin in!! They have wallets now thst can’t be read!

RandyBrian Loc: Texas

That was one of my thoughts, but the credit union says that would appear in their system as a debit withdrawal. They say this looks like something done online by t***sferring the funds from my two accounts into some other account at a different institution or business or wh**ever. But thanks for the input! I appreciate it.
I will update as I find out more.

America 1 Loc: South Miami

Strycker Loc: The middle of somewhere else.

There are a number of ways an account access can be stolen. My information, some time ago, was stolen after a applied for a mortgage refinance from Washington Mutual Bank. An employee sold my info along with others for 5K a pop according to the police. Money was withdrawn from my account to a online account, loans were taken out in my name, purchases were made. Fortunately, I caught it in under 24 hours and was able to halt all the activity and reverse everything before any real damage was done. Nothing was done to follow up and hold any one accountable as Washington Mutual had a policy of not cooperating when it involved employee private information.

If your withdrawal is fraudulent I think there may be ways to recover the money.
I would put a lock on your credit with the three credit reporting companies.
I am unsure how debit cards work and what consumer rights come with them. I refuse to use them as I don't like that direct access to my accounts. Prefer credit cards for the ease of accounting.
Fraudulent charges are easily disputed on credit cards which I have had to do a dozen times or so over the years. If they got into your accounts there is a possibility they may have access to other accounts as well. I would also consider changing all passwords you use online for important accounts like banking, brokerage etc.

I am no expert on online security and identity theft or hacking accounts. What little I know is personal experience. But it may be a start for you.

LogicallyRight Loc: Chicago

Norton Lifelock Intuit just tried to s**m me. They were trying to debit my bank account for three years membership of about $350.

Number One

For once I agree with Kevyn.

dtucker300 Loc: Vista, CA

So true! And I suspect that for once Kevyn is correct about something. As good as bank cybersecurity is because they need to stay one step ahead of the thieves where money is involved, it isn't great nor foolproof.

Here's an interesting experiment to try with a card that has the computer chip in it (If you don't mind having to order another card): 1) Place the card in a beaker of acetone, 2) the acetone will dissolve the plastic card in about 20-30 minutes to reveal the computer chip (which will be unharmed, 3) using a pair of tweezers remove the computer chip and the wire attached to it that acts as an antenna, 4) when you make a purchase somewhere that reads your credit card by passing the card over a reader (such as a Costco gas station) pass the computer chip over the card reader. The chip is undamaged and still contains all the relevant information so that the reader will make the t***saction just as if the card were fully intact.

RandyBrian Loc: Texas

Thank you! All sounds like very good advice to me! A lot will depend on what the credit union finds (or revels to me).