Bank Of America CC

gjhunter01 · December 22, 2015

Is anyone having issues with BOA credit card? We were issued new cards with a security chip last spring. In Oct I get notified that the card has been compromised and they sent us a new card with new number. Now it is mid Dec and the same thing again. I am venting but it is a PITA trying to get a card mailed while we are traveling across country. Any advice as to other cards to investigate?

Greg

Randyretired · December 22, 2015

The same thing has happened a couple of times to us. BOA offered to FEDX a new card overnight when I called and explained our circumstances.

Barbaraok · December 22, 2015

It isn't the card, it is all of the opportunities for people to compromise your card as you travel. So far we have had 3 new cards in the past 4 years because I seem to shop at a large retailer the week before they find out that their firm has been hacked. We have had the card delivered to a BOA branch in the city near where we are staying. Other times, we've just gotten an email notice that a new card has been sent, not that our account was compromised, but that we had shopped at a retailer that had been hacked.

And it happens with other cards - just something we all live with anymore.

Barb

Randyretired · December 22, 2015

The time BOA offered to Fedx our card it was deactivated because thieves had duplicated the card and ran up charges. Still they said Fedx service was available for replacement. They also sent a copy of the card through the mail for some reason? BOA emailed me to inquire if the charges were ours as our card was used in NV AZ and IA within about 30 minutes.

gjhunter01 · December 22, 2015

I called BOA today to alert them I would be charging $200 for fuel later on today, and that is when they asked me about a $207 charge in Austin on yesterday which was not me. After discussion they put a hold on my account. So for fuel I decided to use my debit card and they blocked that also. Thank goodness diesel is low cost now and I had $200 cash for the 100 gallons. BOA said they could Fed Ex me a card overnight but we will be running 2-300 miles a day until Sat, so I'm really not sure of my stop overs. Guess I will wait until Mon to order a card providing the Swamp Park will let me receive mail there. Oh, and they were insisting on sending a card to my Livingston address like that would do any good. They said no to a BOA branch for sending a card to??

Greg

Randyretired · December 22, 2015

It is kind of a pain but we carry a 2nd card from a different bank for times like this.

Rif · December 22, 2015

We have had similar situations a few years ago when a card was compromised while we were traveling. At the time we had eliminated all credit cards except of one because we thought we were simplifying things. Getting fuel was a hassle, and getting the new card delivered was no picnic. That experience is the precise reason we each carry 2 credit cards from different companies, and use another to pay all recurring bills. To elaborate, we have a Mastercard from Wells Fargo (1% cash rebate) that we use for most day to day expenses, and for any one time online purchases. In addition, we each have a separate Costco Amex card that we use for purchases at Costco and for travel and dining out expenses (2% cash rebate). This means that even if one of us loses our wallet and we have to cancel our cards, between we still have another card to use until we receive the replacements. Of course, you wouldn't need 2 cards to accomplish sufficient backup. The minimum would be for each of you to carry one separate card. You only need to each carry 2 cards so both of you have a backup in case one is compromised or lost. Naturally, if you are traveling solo, you would need to adopt a different approach. Perhaps it could be as simple as a second card you just don't carry on a daily basis.

We have another credit card is never carried with us. It is kept in a locked safe. It is a USAA Visa (1% cash rebate) that is used for all recurring expenses where the card is registered and charged each month. This includes things like DirecTV, Verizon, supplimental health insurance, and car insurance.

This approach does a couple things. First, we always have another credit card available in case one is compromised or turned off for any reason.That happened to us twice in the past before we began doing this. Second, by not carrying the card I use for recurring charges, I reduce the exposure. That's not to say that one of the vendors where it is registered won't be compromised, but it reduces the probability. It also make it easy to change the card information online if and when I do need to make a change. All I have to do is look back through the charges made to that card (easy to do in Quicken) during the past year to assemble a list of vendors that need to be updated, even though some of them are only charged once a year. I did that recently and it took only about an hour to get them all done.

In addition to credit cards, we also each carry a debit card from a different bank. They are used only for obtaining cash. If one is compromised, we always have another available.

I realize this system won't work for everyone, but it sure has made life easier for us. All the cards are set to automatically pay off their balances each month from a checking account, so keeping track of things is very simple. Also, I use Quicken to download all transactions on a daily basis from each of the credit card issuers, so 10 minutes each morning is all it takes to review all charges and track cash flow so I'm sure I have sufficient funds in the checking accounts to cover payoffs.

Part of what makes all this work smoothly for us is having banking relationships with 2 different banks. I realize this can be a hassle for some folks, but with online management and the ease with which I can transfer money from one bank to another, and Quicken, it is no big deal. USAA even credits your account instantly when you transfer money from another bank's checking account as long as you have set up a link to it. Living on the road sometimes takes a little different approach.

Biker56 · December 22, 2015

The only time BA has sent me a new card. Was for the new chip ones. Or ones expired from date. Never any because of fraud.

I have 2 Visa CC from them. One pays points and the other pays Cash. Both give 2% Grocery's, 3% Gas and 1% everything else.

Plus the Debit card.

Also have a CC & Debit card from another Bank that I keep for a back up. Neither one has been used in years.

Now Discover has sent me a few replacements over the past few years because of fraud. They have caught some and I have caught some.

They have FedX or UPS can't remember which. In 2 days at different campgrounds I was at with replacements.

SWharton · December 22, 2015

We ran afoul of BofA when we didn't tell them we were traveling. Our cards were unavailable to us until we logged on and filled out the sections saying we were traveling and where we were going. Never had to do that before but now I do it for our 3 cards every 3 months. Sign of the times.

New cards are generally overnight to us but we haven't had a problem in years.

LindaH · December 22, 2015

gjhunter01, on 21 Dec 2015 - 7:38 PM, said:
So for fuel I decided to use my debit card

You really don't want to use your debit card. Gas stations seem to be one of the favorite places for card skimmers to be installed and, if your debit card is skimmed, they can clean out your account in no time and you won't have any recourse. At least with a credit card, if it's skimmed, stolen, or thieves somehow get the number, you'd be on the hook for only about $50.

Biker56 · December 23, 2015

Wouldn't you know it. After posting above. I got a email this evening from Discover. :lol:

We're sending you a new card.

1. Because your security is important.
Your card information might have been part of a data breach that did not involve Discover card systems. To help keep your card information safe, we're sending you a new one.

Your new card should arrive in an unmarked envelope within 3-7 days.

2. Breathe easy.
As a reminder, you're never responsible for unauthorized purchases on your Discover card. So, you can keep using your current card until your new one arrives. Then, activate and sign your new card right away.

3. We've got you covered.
We're monitoring your account 24/7 and we'll contact you if we spot anything unusual. But if you happen to see a purchase you don't recognize, just call 1-866-240-7938 to speak to a U.S.-based Fraud Specialist anytime.

Ray,IN · December 27, 2015

You really don't want to use your debit card. Gas stations seem to be one of the favorite places for card skimmers to be installed and, if your debit card is skimmed, they can clean out your account in no time and you won't have any recourse. At least with a credit card, if it's skimmed, stolen, or thieves somehow get the number, you'd be on the hook for only about $50.

My bank debit card is subject to the same rules as my CC from the same bank. Your main recourse is to closely inspect your monthly statement and report any unauthorized charges immediately. I access my bank accounts daily or every other day and inspect all charges, deductions.

bja1234 · December 27, 2015

Agree with all above. In addition I receive a text message from all cc, debit cards, bank accounts and Schwab when anything goes into or out of any account. Gives me great comfort.....Immediately, usually before I have the receipt in my hand.

whj469 · December 28, 2015

More then 20 years ago, I rented an auto in San Diego, CA, and soon thereafter the bank that issued the card to me, Nations Bank, called

to ask if I was using that card to buy gas all over CA. That type of thing has been going on for many years and I don't think that it will stop anytime soon.

Jim Gell · December 28, 2015

We have another credit card is never carried with us. It is kept in a locked safe. It is a USAA Visa (1% cash rebate) that is used for all recurring expenses where the card is registered and charged each month. This includes things like DirecTV, Verizon, supplimental health insurance, and car insurance.

We also do this, and for the same reason. HOWEVER... I got called recently by Bank of America and they asked about our charges, and our 2% back Fidelity AMEX card, that was only used for recurring purchases such as Verizon, DirecTV, Netflix, etc, was the one that was compromised. Go figure! They overnighted us a new card at no cost. It is a PITA to change all that billing info on the vendors websites, which is why I will only use the new card for recurring auto pay and hope it does not get compromised again. It still seems like the best method.

Jim