Super weird credit card theft

Submitted by craftybitch76 t3_yfaanx in ColumbiaMD

I left work today to discover a ton of emails in my inbox, most of which were notifications that I’d been signed up for government organization mailing lists (Medicare, homeland security, SBA, EPA, SSA, USAID, the list goes on and on) and 4 unauthorized purchases on my credit card (1 at mlbshop, 2 at Fanatics, and 1 iPhone). The whole thing was extremely bizarre, but (thankfully?) the thief used my email and billing address to place the orders, so I got notification of the charges and was able to get the orders cancelled really easily, all things considered. Card has been cancelled, new card ordered, put a freeze on my credit reports just to be safe too. And I unsubscribed and deleted my account from all the govt emails, which thankfully was really easy.

But what struck me as especially strange, beyond getting signed up for every governmental email subscription, was the shipping addresses for the fraudulent orders were all local. 2 were 10209 Wincopin Circle, one was 7045 Minstrel Way, and one was 7531 Montpelier Rd.

Has anyone seen/heard of anything like this before? The local shipping addresses make me wonder if it’s a local theft and if I should contact HCPD. Any idea?

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freecain t1_iu2t2t7 wrote

The signing up for a bunch of lists is to spam your inbox in hopes you miss the fraudulent purchase warning.

It doesn't hurt to call the non emergency police number and see what they say.

I would take down the addresses from the post though. Odds are, while it's a local theft, they chose those addresses because they know the person is away or can otherwise intercept the box.

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neofresh t1_iu3xmcg wrote

Definitely local. You were probably compromised at a local business who had your name, email and address. Those 3 hotels likely accept anyones packages and are open to handing them over to anyone who asks for them using the matching name.

Yes. I would file a police report. I personally would call those hotels and tell the manager what happened. I’d feel better that I educated them and possibly thwarted the receipt of other fraudulently bought items.

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koei19 t1_iu42ykr wrote

I had a very similar experience several months ago and I'm still cleaning up the odd e-mail subscription. The would-be thief only placed a single order at Costco.com, and I didn't get a delivery address.

My suspicion was that my card was compromised at a local restaurant near JHU APL, but I have no evidence.

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Limerase t1_iu4dtf6 wrote

Did they use any names on the orders? In case anyone shows up at those businesses looking for packages under those names, police could be contacted while staff stall them "looking" for them.

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Limerase t1_iu5kqdj wrote

Replying to craftybitch76 (#290,651)

Okay, make sure the police know that, too. And think about all the places you've been, even if you haven't shopped. If you use a physical card, get an RFID wallet or RFID sleeves, which I use because I carry my card with my phone. They block skimmers from picking up your card.

If you also filled out paperwork anywhere or if your card was out of your sight at some point, such as a restaurant. My dad had his info stolen at a dealership mechanic because they left his paperwork sitting out in Gaithersburg several years ago.

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