Fraudulent charges at a cell phone company (Ultra Mobile) appeared in our account using my wife’s debit card information. We cancelled the card and we’re issued another. Two weeks later the charges again appeared in our account using the NEW card information.
When the new card was issued, the billing information was updated thanks to Visa Automatic Updater (VAU). No matter how many times we get a new card, the fraudster’s account with Ultra Mobile will be updated and the fraudulent charges will continue.
We’ve spoken with the bank’s fraud department and they stated that they can’t disenroll us from VAU, only Visa can. We called Visa and were told that only the card issuer (bank) can. We called the bank again and were told that the business charging the account is the only one who can disenroll us.
We contacted Ultra Mobile and were told that they can do anything because we don’t have the account number or phone number.
It appears that the only remedy is to open another account, move all auto deposits/drafts to that account, and have new cards issued for the new account.
Sounds very frustrating. I won’t repeat everything here, but I suggest you look for my post (and a couple of other’s) on topic “Credit card benefits denied” suggesting your state consumer protection department and/or submitting a compliant with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Or if it is a state bank, the state banking department.
Firstly, I would also consider dropping the bank if they are not being helpful and going to a local bank, possible, a mutual or a credit union.
As I stated in my other post, CFPB was both helpful over the phone and it had a consumer friendly website. [https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/ Call: [(855) 411-2372](tel:(855) 411-2372)] After refusing to drop the bogus charge, the CC reversed course shortly after I filed the complaint.
I believe the main point to make is that Visa is in the best position to fight and prevent what you (and I am sure others) are experiencing. They can help nip it at the bud on a more global basis.
I don’t know if the person I responded to in my other post had any luck with my suggestions as they never replied.
Years ago I had something similar happen. I went to my CC website and got one of those “one time use” CC numbers. I used it on a magazine subscription. My idea was I did not want to be “auto renewed” in the future. Fast forward one year I get a charge on the same card for the magazine renewal using my normal CC number!
I called my CC “customer no service” number. I said “I payed using a one time use number a year ago”. Why is this charge here? Lady said: “Oh, on a subscription we pass through the charge because that’s what you agreed to!” I told her what is the point of a one use card if you’re going to do that? I told her that was BS and canceled the card.