PCF Debit card compromised?

[Jay Hova]

So, I tried to use my debit card at a sandwich shop just before College/Spadina. Entered my PIN and got "Card Restricted", tried again, same result.

Ran to the nearest CIBC and upon attempting to withdraw $20, it told me something along the lines of contacting PCF to set up ABM machine access

So, I just called PCF a few minutes ago, and they told me that my card was compromised, and that I should reset my PIN or go for a new card (probably doing that).

I asked why/how did this happen? They said whenever authorities identify a duplication scheme (something like that?) going in your area, they do it to all cards.

Is it because I use my PCF debit EVERYWHERE. I do pretty much all of my shopping/banking in the downtown core, from Footlocker on Yonge...to Pizza Pizza/Shawarma shops on Dundas, to Union Station, etc, etc. Possibly some type of duplication scheme went on at one of these locations, resulting to this?

Any advice on what type of precautions I should take from now on? It doesn't seem as if anyone used my account either.

[tng11]

Definitely, if you're using your debit card at merchants- you're vulnerable EVERYWHERE you use your card. What most likely happened is your card got copied and they attempted a transaction outside your normal area, it could have happened anywhere. I was one of the people that got caught up in the hanky-panky with debit cards at the T&T in Mississauga 2 years ago and had more than $1,000 taken from my account.

What is with people and the mental block they have with using debit? I've only used debit less than 10 times this entire year. The easiest way to solve this is to put everything on CC and pay it all off after every month, and use cash at those places which don't take CC.

[heat]

Always always get the debit transaction receipts, just in case something shady happens. If they can give you a date as to when your card was compromised, you could just go through all the receipts and check.

Other than that have more than one card, just in case one doesn't work. At least you could buy your food, then go to CIBC.

[exstasie]

So, I tried to use my debit card at a sandwich shop just before College/Spadina. Entered my PIN and got "Card Restricted", tried again, same result.

Ran to the nearest CIBC and upon attempting to withdraw $20, it told me something along the lines of contacting PCF to set up ABM machine access

So, I just called PCF a few minutes ago, and they told me that my card was compromised, and that I should reset my PIN or go for a new card (probably doing that).

I asked why/how did this happen? They said whenever authorities identify a duplication scheme (something like that?) going in your area, they do it to all cards.

Is it because I use my PCF debit EVERYWHERE. I do pretty much all of my shopping/banking in the downtown core, from Footlocker on Yonge...to Pizza Pizza/Shawarma shops on Dundas, to Union Station, etc, etc. Possibly some type of duplication scheme went on at one of these locations, resulting to this?

Any advice on what type of precautions I should take from now on? It doesn't seem as if anyone used my account either.

I know it seems like something insignificant, however protecting your PIN can drastically reduce potential impact.

[Jucius Maximus]

Using Interac in Chinatown...

Interac is HIGHLY dangerous and you should never use it except at your own bank's ATM after you inspect the machine to ensure there's no skimming device attached.

The problem is that if money gets stolen through Interac, you have to prove that you did not do it. But with a credit card, they must prove that you did it. Credit cards are MUCH safer from a fraud perspective.

But even I only use cash in Chinatown.

[angel_wing0]

another "u should never use debit, only credit card so your debit won't get screwed" thread...we really need to make it a sticky

[exstasie]

another "u should never use debit, only credit card so your debit won't get screwed" thread...we really need to make it a sticky

so are you for or against the Debit Card? lol

[Jay Hova]

Using Interac in Chinatown...

Interac is HIGHLY dangerous and you should never use it except at your own bank's ATM after you inspect the machine to ensure there's no skimming device attached.

The problem is that if money gets stolen through Interac, you have to prove that you did not do it. But with a credit card, they must prove that you did it. Credit cards are MUCH safer from a fraud perspective.

But even I only use cash in Chinatown.

LOL, I've never been to Chinatown, well Burger King...which is just before Chinatown


Anyway, thanks for the advice everyone. Guess I'm going be a little more careful then, I'm not keen on moving towards using a credit card..and I'd spend cash extremely quickly (cause of hotdogs).

[exstasie]

LOL, I've never been to Chinatown, well Burger King...which is just before Chinatown


Anyway, thanks for the advice everyone. Guess I'm going be a little more careful then, I'm not keen on moving towards using a credit card..and I'd spend cash extremely quickly (cause of hotdogs).

Honestly though, Debit is just as Safe as Credit. I wouldn't worry too much.

While yes, Credit Card is a bit easier if there is fraud because they aren't taking actual money from you like do they if there is fraud on your debit card. That is why they just need to do a little investigation to make sure that it actually is fraud and not the customer just lying about a transaction. You will get 100% of your money back though, so don't worry.

The problem with Credit Card, like i've mentioned before, is that the person who gets screwed over is the merchant. When there is fraud on your Credit Card they just do a chargeback and take the money back from the store. People take advantage of this and make false claims which causes stores to lose lots of money. Because of this they are forced to put a premium on every merchandise they sell. Obviously this cost is built into the price of the good.

There is a reason why all of the discount grocery stores & places like Costco didn't accept Credit Cards. It inflated their fees too much and wouldn't been forced to pass those added costs onto the consumer.

[angel_wing0]

so are you for or against the Debit Card? lol

for using it at an atm, against using it everywhere else

[Hairball]

One time my PCF bank card was locked too, I wanted to take some money out, but it just didn't work and so I just went in to get a new one.

I hardly ever pay by debit. I think the card was physically not working, but I can't remember exactly what was wrong.

[Jucius Maximus]

LOL, I've never been to Chinatown, well Burger King...which is just before Chinatown

I would be wary of BK or any fast food place.

The employees are poorly paid so they are easy targets for organized crime who would pay employees to skim your debit cards and videotape PIN codes.

[angel_wing0]

I would be wary of BK or any fast food place.

The employees are poorly paid so they are easy targets for organized crime who would pay employees to skim your debit cards and videotape PIN codes.

exactly, plus they take cc anyway, so why pay debit?!

[Jay Hova]

exactly, plus they take cc anyway, so why pay debit?!

Cause, if I recall correctly, it'd cost me $95 to activate it. Plus, I'm not good with paying bills, too forgetful.

Lesson learned, however: Keep debit use at a minimum.

[tng11]

Cause, if I recall correctly, it'd cost me $95 to activate it. Plus, I'm not good with paying bills, too forgetful.

Lesson learned, however: Keep debit use at a minimum.

$95 to activate a CC?

There are plenty of good, free CCs out there.