Scam pulled at Michael's stores

[Harry P.]

Today's paper has a page one story of how scammers were able to get PIN and other credit/debit card info and have been making cash withdrawals from people's bank accounts. Apparently all of the activity has been on the accounts of people who recently shopped at Michael's stores. So to any of you that may have recently shopped at Michael's and used the card swiper at checkout, watch your bank statements for suspicious activity.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-michaels-informat,0,5059154.story

[george 53]

so the employee's stole the info? or were their systems hacked by outsiders? Yeeesh, Micheal's, whooda thunkit?

[Guest Johnny]

Today's paper has a page one story of how scammers were able to get PIN and other credit/debit card info and have been making cash withdrawals from people's bank accounts. Apparently all of the activity has been on the accounts of people who recently shopped at Michael's stores. So to any of you that may have recently shopped at Michael's and used the card swiper at checkout, watch your bank statements for suspicious activity.

I'm about to go back to a regular old checking account and go back to writing checks as necessary and just paying cash for the rest.

[Harry P.]

so the employee's stole the info? or were their systems hacked by outsiders? Yeeesh, Micheal's, whooda thunkit?

They don't know for sure yet how it was done. The paper says that either the crooks somehow attached a gizmo that records card transaction data on the checkout card swipers, or someone within the organization could have installed rigged swipers.

[Casey]

I'm not too worried. If they want to spend all $3.14 in my account, have at it!

Just another peril of modern life.

[Harry P.]

I'm not too worried. If they want to spend all $3.14 in my account, have at it!

Just another peril of modern life.

If someone gets your credit card info they can charge up to your card's limit. I assume you have a credit limit higher than three bucks...

[Casey]

If someone gets your credit card info they can charge up to your card's limit. I assume you have a credit limit higher than three bucks...

Never assume!

Thanks for the heads up, Harry.

[Danno]

I'm not too worried. If they want to spend all $3.14 in my account, have at it!

Just another peril of modern life.

Wow! You got the gold. Mine only goes up to a dollar-2-98! I know a guy with the platinum card; he has a limit of $5!

[Harry P.]

Maybe it's time to go back to using good old-fashioned cash.

[roadhawg]

I got the same email from them, and yes, that was very professional. I'm not that worried about it, though. If your card has Visa or Mastercard on it, you're protected anyway. Even a Visa or Mastercard debit card is protected, though it might be a slight temporary inconvienence if they empty your account (they have I think 3 days to put the money back after being reported). Cards and online purchases are by far the safest way to buy anything. If cash is lost or stolen, its goodbye forever. I heard on the radio about some places that are going to quit taking cash altogether.

[Guest Johnny]

I got the same email from them, and yes, that was very professional. I'm not that worried about it, though. If your card has Visa or Mastercard on it, you're protected anyway. Even a Visa or Mastercard debit card is protected, though it might be a slight temporary inconvienence if they empty your account (they have I think 3 days to put the money back after being reported). Cards and online purchases are by far the safest way to buy anything. If cash is lost or stolen, its goodbye forever. I heard on the radio about some places that are going to quit taking cash altogether.

My lawyer says he will sue the first place that tries that with him!

[Harry P.]

I heard on the radio about some places that are going to quit taking cash altogether.

They can't do that. Cash is "legal tender," good for all debts, public and private... says so right on the bills. No place of business can refuse to accept cash... can they??

[roadhawg]

They can't do that. Cash is "legal tender," good for all debts, public and private... says so right on the bills. No place of business can refuse to accept cash... can they??

I can't remember where I heard that....I'm sure it was one of those wacko radio shows I listen to. I DO know there's a lot of places that will refuse checks.

[Guest Johnny]

I can't remember where I heard that....I'm sure it was one of those wacko radio shows I listen to. I DO know there's a lot of places that will refuse checks.

That has been voiced in legitiment media but all say the same as above, can't do it!

They can refuse certain denominations but even that has been chaged at some here as it costs upwards of a hundred bucks for an SUV or pickup any more.

[Harry P.]

I just googled it. Apparently a store or business can refuse to accept cash by "refusing you service." Since a store or business is a private enterprise, I guess they can legally deny service to anyone... so if you want to pay with cash and they don't want to accept cash, they can post a sign saying no cash accepted... and in that way, when you try to pay with cash they can "refuse you service," and not have to accept cash. It's a sneaky but apparently legal way for them to refuse cash payments.

Seems pretty goofy.

I guess I can see how a private business can do that and get away with it, but how can some governmental offices legally refuse cash for payment?

[Guest Johnny]

A quick call confirmed what you said Harry BUT they have to make sure you know that they do not take cash BEFORE you enter the establishment! So the sign would have to be at the entrance in clear line of sight as you were entering!

Just like the WE DO NOT ACCEPT PERSONAL CHECKS signs on the gas pumps at the station!

Edited May 6, 2011 by Johnny

[Harry P.]

A quick call confirmed what you said Harry BUT they have to make sure you know that they do not take cash BEFORE you enter the establishment! So the sign would have to be at the entrance in clear line of sight as you were entering!

Just like the WE DO NOT ACCEPT PERSONAL CHECKS signs on the gas pumps at the station!

Yep, that seems to be the case.

[Guest Johnny]

I was in a station on the south side when a lady came in to pay for her gas. She starts to write a check and the guy says cash or credit card only. She said she didn't have a CC or enough cash so the guy called the police! The officer told the manager "either he accepts the check or lets her leave without paying". When he had talked to her and shown she had no other way of paying she then presentedHer argument that it wasn't posted at the pump and the officer agreed that is was not clear.

Two days later when I stopped there signs were on the pumps and at the counter!

[ra7c7er]

They don't know for sure yet how it was done. The paper says that either the crooks somehow attached a gizmo that records card transaction data on the checkout card swipers, or someone within the organization could have installed rigged swipers.

I think it would have to be rigged swippers or an inside job. How would a non employee get enough time to install a new strip reader and the necessary transmitting equipment while the store was open.

[cruz]

It will be a cashless society in the future, we will not even have options on using cash even if we wanted to....

[Guest Johnny]

It will be a cashless society in the future, we will not even have options on using cash even if we wanted to....

You know you are really not far off on this! The government would love nothing better as it would make keeping track of and stealing your money even easier for them! Think about it. Nothing would get past them in the form of a cash side job! They have to have their share you know!

[Danno]

You know you are really not far off on this! The government would love nothing better as it would make keeping track of and stealing your money even easier for them! Think about it. Nothing would get past them in the form of a cash side job! They have to have their share you know!

[insert missing ninja emoticon here.]

[Longbox55]

I was in a station on the south side when a lady came in to pay for her gas. She starts to write a check and the guy says cash or credit card only. She said she didn't have a CC or enough cash so the guy called the police! The officer told the manager "either he accepts the check or lets her leave without paying". When he had talked to her and shown she had no other way of paying she then presentedHer argument that it wasn't posted at the pump and the officer agreed that is was not clear.

Two days later when I stopped there signs were on the pumps and at the counter!

The officer was overstepping his authority in that case. Only a judge can make that call.

[Aaronw]

Maybe it's time to go back to using good old-fashioned cash.

I see your cash, and suggest returning to barter. Can you believe the prices of Tamiya kits? I paid 3 chickens, a goat and two blankets for the new Aston Martin.

[Darin Bastedo]

My lawyer says he will sue the first place that tries that with him!

There already are places that don't take cash as it makes them less of a target for armed robbery. the place I used to pay my gas bill in SC wouldn't take anything but check, card or money order.