~$550 of unauthorized charges on my checking account (debit card)

[Korrupt]

I called my bank headquarters and reported the ~$200 charge earlier this week. The lady on the other end said she disabled my debit card, and I would be getting a new one as well as a "dispute form" soon to dispute the charge and hopefully get my money back. The charge was made on 10/27.

Worse news...

I went back to september and saw a charge for ~$350 that was made on 9/09. I didn't see these charges because I was busy as all hell at the time and didn't check my online statement very often. Of course I see this on a sunday--when the bank isn't open.

God f*cking damnit...

Is there any chance of me getting my ~$550 back? It's been almost 3 weeks since the ~$200 charge and over 2 months since the ~$350 charge... Ugh. On top of this I've also been having some (embarrassing not deadly) health issues. When it rains it pours.

FVCK.

 

[PrettyBoyAJ]

Yea, you can dispute it. Keep a better eye on your account. I check mine almost every day so stuff like this won't happen. Also get the app called Mint. It's similar to Intuit Quickbooks. You get to see how you spend your money and you can see Trends and Budgets. I know exactly how much I spend on everything every month.

 

[Bible_Belt]

When this happened to me, the bank made me call the 800 number that the scammer listed as the merchant's number for the credit card charge. Mine were Microsoft and Planned Parenthood. They intentionally list huge companies that are difficult to deal with. The bank ended up refunding my money afterward.

 

[Tenacity]

EXACTLY why I don't use my debit card nor checks. I only pay with credit cards.

- When people use your debit card for these charges (through theft), the money is gone until the Bank gets it back. That could take up to 30 days sometimes, if they are able to get it back at all.

- When you use cash and your wallet is stolen (or pick-pocketed), the money is gone until you sue the theft and take it back, in which you might as well just say it's gone.

When you use a credit card, you hit CHARGEBACK and the transaction comes off your amount "due".

I don't carry a debit card (destroyed it and told my Credit Union to not send me any), I don't carry checks, and the only vendors I use for my checking are those with ACH agreements but those are established companies like my landlord, student loan company, and insurance company.

Bottom line is that debit cards, checks and cash offer the LOWEST form of protection against theft and unauthorized charges.

 

[Dust 2 Dust]

Don't shop with a debit card especially at gas stations. If crooks get your account number they can wipe out your entire bank account.