Schnucks has reported that they have “found and contained” the unauthorized access (cyber attack) to payment card information. Read their press release dated 3/30/13.
So, what does that mean? Schnucks says that it is safe to use credit and debit cards in their stores. I'll continue to use cash (hopefully, small bills and coins) for awhile, although Schnucks might now be the safest retailer in town to swipe a credit or debit card.
Schnucks also says they are also trying to determine what information was actually accessed, and will be working with the banks that issued the effected cards. What happens after that is up to the individual banks. You may end up being issued new cards if your card shows up on the list. A couple banks I've seen mentioned in the media: Parkside Financial Bank and Trust and Montgomery Bank, but there could be more - many more.
What should you do? Even though Schnucks say they have identified and contained the issue, card information may still be in the wrong hands. Monitor your card for suspicious activity. If you think your card has been compromised, you should call your bank immediately. You may also want to go ahead ask the bank to issue replacement cards if you’re seriously concerned.
What should you do? Even though Schnucks say they have identified and contained the issue, card information may still be in the wrong hands. Monitor your card for suspicious activity. If you think your card has been compromised, you should call your bank immediately. You may also want to go ahead ask the bank to issue replacement cards if you’re seriously concerned.
Have you been affected with this round of credit/debit card fraud?
Posts
We were affected. US Bank. Two 100 dollar charges from New Jersey. Luckily, our bank noticed something odd and stopped all charges...such a scary thing! We shop are the Des Peres location!
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've heard, the bigger banks seem to catch on that something is up and stop charges from going through. The smaller banks not so much.
DeleteI rarely use cash - it's so easy to swipe the debit card. I'm wondering if I should rethink that habit. Even if the bank catches something and stops it, you still have the hassle of getting your cards reissued.
Electro Saving Credit union sent out letters to customers that did transactions during the time span that it was happening. The letter stated that they were going to issue new cards to them(mine came this weekend). When I went in the bank they said any transaction over $40 out of state would be looked at.
DeleteThat's good to hear of a financial institution being pro active.
DeleteI'm surprised all the banks in the area aren't doing the same. You think it would be easier and cheaper to reissue cards than to get stuck with those unauthorized charges.
My card numbers were taken...I thought maybe I was at higher risk because I only went to 3 different stores, sometimes all in the same day and about 10-12 trips total during super triples. That is not the case. My husbands card was also compromised and he only used it one time during that time period...same thing with a girl I work with...she only used her card once and it was taken. She shopped at a totally different schnucks. The store you went to does not matter, the numbers were taken from all the stores. If you shopped there during that time, I would just get a new card issued. My husband and I were going to cancel his the next day when we were talking about it...I said "your numbers could be up for sale right now..." And sure enough, before he could even call the bank, charges in another state were denied that morning. They just got the whole system and took hundreds of numbers. We are lucky...USAA, military banking is really strict and if we don't tell them we are out of state, our charges are denied and we have to call them. I'm really thankful for that. I'm using cash more often in general from now on. I too used my debit for everything.... but here's the deal, CREDIT cards by law have to reimburse fraudulent charges...they have insurance for that...DEBIT cards do not...and if the charges go thru, they are not by law responsible, you are....some banks may still help for fraud on debit, but they do not have to and many do not.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I are doing something new that I like....a monthly budget to try to stick to of cash...It will keep us from using our debit cards as much and hopefully keep spending under check too :)
Happy shopping... YOu know I'd never stop going to Schnucks!
Wow! I didn't know banks didn't have to reimburse fraudulent charges on Debit cards. Looks like I should call my bank and see what their policy is when that happens.
DeleteMy uncle and cousin were hacked as well..they are both with american eagle credit union. i thankfully was not since i use cash for groceries.
ReplyDeleteSorry this is so long but it's current and important:
ReplyDeleteAND..according to Channel 5 news at 10:00 pm on Sunday (3/31) Schnuck's still has a problem..............
If you lose your ATM, debit, or credit card, don't panic. Federal laws and bank policies limit your liability for unauthorized charges. However, it's important to notify the bank or card issuer of the loss or theft as soon as you discover it. Read below to learn about your notification duties and maximum liability for each type of card.
Credit Cards
Your liability for unauthorized charges depends on whether the thief personally presented your card to make the purchase, or made the purchase over the Internet or by phone.
If the thief personally presents your card to make the purchase, the card issuer cannot hold you liable for more than $50 in fraudulent charges. Many card issuers waive this $50.
If the thief uses your card by phone or the Internet, you have no liability.
In either of the above situations, however, it's important to notify the card issuer as soon as you know of the theft. If you wait, the creditor may not believe that the card was really lost or stolen.
ATM and Debit Cards
With ATM or debit cards, you must act quickly in order to avoid full liability for unauthorized charges when your card is lost or stolen. Under the federal Electronic Fund Transfer Act, your liability is:
$0 if you report the loss or theft of the card immediately and the card has not been used
up to $50 if you notify the bank within two business days after you realize the card is missing
up to $500 if you fail to notify the bank within two business days after you realize the card is missing, but do notify the bank within 60 days after your bank statement is mailed to you listing the unauthorized withdrawals, or
unlimited if you fail to notify the bank within 60 days after your bank statement is mailed to you listing the unauthorized withdrawals.
If you can convince the bank that your notification failure was due to extentuating circumstances, it must extend the notification timeline for a "reasonable period."
How to provide notice. Provide the notice in writing. For purposes of meeting the time requirements, the law considers written notice to have been given when you deposit it in the mail or deliver it personally to the bank. The timelines for giving notice are generally extended if your delay in giving notice was caused by extenuating circumstances such as extended travel or hospitalization.
The bank's duty. If the bank claims that you are liable for amounts over $50, it must show that the additional loss would not have occurred if you had given timely notice of the card's loss or theft.
Voluntary Caps on Liability for Debit Card Charges
In response to consumer complaints about the possibility of unlimited liability, some card issuers cap the liability on debit cards at $50. And some banks don't charge anything if unauthorized withdrawals appear on your statement. Also, some states have capped the liability for unauthorized withdrawals on an ATM or debit card at $50.
Source: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/unauthorized-credit-debit-card-charges-29654.html
Thanks for the info. Important stuff for all of us to know.
DeleteI too hear the report that Schnucks might still have a problem. I couldn't figure out from what was being said if the new charges were coming from data in the wrong hand that just now are using them, of if cards are still being compromised. I have a feeling that if you haven't had your cards replaced, this might keep happening for a very long time.