Warning to Internet Traders

[milltech]

During the last two years I've been defrauded three times, an acceptable risk. Since December I've had attempted frauds over and over again, only one got passed me and that wouldn't have happened except that it was Christmas.

The point is that something has changed. I have speculated that the likes of Amazon have become so cute and hard to hit that niche markets selling products that wouldn't obviously be saleable down the pub have come in for attention, or perhaps they presume smaller companies will be more vulnerable to a hit, (probably true).

I've had to extend my checks and modify the web site, and I have become particularly aware of EU and US orders where previously I never had trouble.

This is just for the benefit of the many traders who are also sailors and who post and read here, be aware. Primary targets against me seem to be radios and binoculars.

 

[StephenSails]

Is this with customers ordering goods overseas with credit cards?

 

[milltech]

In a manner of speaking. The one that got through was to a UK address but it turns out the card was issued in Israel. Over the Christmas holiday the man ordered again, only this time gave an address in Nigeria for the delivery.

I immediately panicked and did a code 10, sure enough, duff; so the lady checked my previous transaction and of course that was a no no too. Had to wait until yesterday for the inevitable charge-back letter.

Annoying thing was that thinking I might be ahead of the culprit I tried to report the theft and was told I had to do it at the local nick in person. As it happens I was going nearby so I did just that, they wouldn't accept it as a crime because, at that stage, I couldn't prove it. One wonders if you knew the neighbours were on holiday and heard breaking glass whether the cops would ask you to prove there was a crime in progress before turning up. I thought I was giving them a good lead. Detectives fighting crime? Silly me.

The others were from the EU and USA.

 

[StephenSails]

Doesnt your PDQ machine ask for the numbers of their postcode and house number for the billing address on the card? Becuase if that did match up i cant see what more you could have done and therefor it would not be right for the bank to issue a chargeback?

 

[milltech]

I do my clearances on line, that's why I've had to modify the web site. Though actually it wouldn't have helped with the US ones.

 

[snowleopard]

in your shoes i'd have been tempted to ship him a box of doggy-do.

 

[actionoptics]

Heelo John. Sorry to hear that you have been done. I have not set up my web site to take orders on line. I still insist on talking to the customers as it means I can be sure they are ordering the right thing and guage if they are genuine. Also as I work on my own these days, it is good to talk, as they say. My machine only tells me if the card has been reported stolen and the onus is entirely mine to detect fraud. The checks are not good enough yet and I ceratinly don't get the chance to verify their address unless I phone my card reader provider. Anyway, Happy New Year from Richard.

 

[Gunfleet]

Hard luck, John, and the cops as ever nowadays are useless. Perhaps you should implement that 'fax your passport' thing.

 

[bob_tyler]

My wife had her purse stolen in the West End some time ago.

So as to help meet our Lying Labour government targets(we have reduced crime) the police woman behind the counter at the Saville Row nick spent nearly half an hour trying to persuade her that she had dropped it. In the end she insisted on speaking to another, older PC plod who immediately accepted it as a theft and gave her the necessary paper work.

Artificial Crime Reduction reigns alongside political correctness. If G Brown can't believe T Bliar, who can?

 

[Stemar]

I was under the impression that if a card transaction is approved and you've got the aproval number, any fraud becomes the card co's problem. Under what circumstances is that not so?

I have friend who takes a lot of cc transactions over the phone/fax or email, though not with an actual automatic online system, and I think he'd be very concerned if that wasn't the case.

 

[webcraft]

Maybe PayPal is safer for merchants these days . . . the banks don't seem to want to take any of the risk where internet transactions are concerned.

- Nick

 

[milltech]

It's more or less never so for the trader so far as I am aware, only the purchaser.

 

[milltech]

Hijacking my own thread - Govt Targets

I have to visit an eye hospital every once in a while. They have a system where within a couple of minutes a nursing assistant gives you an abbreviated eye test with something you stick in front of your eye. In so far as it has any merit it can only be on a first visit, all the highly expensive medical kit the excellent Doctoring staff use can see all.

Because the test is the same for everyone regardless of the reasons why they are there I have become convinced they exist only in order to say, "all these people were seen within 5 minutes of arrival", and as a consequence as a high volume outpatients clinic the stats for the hospital must rise significantly.

Usually I then have to wait anything from 60 minutes to 2.5 hours to see the Doctor. After that I HAVE to take my prescription to the hospital pharmacy, I cannot take it to the excellent man up the road from me, it's only valid there. Normal wait 45 minutes. I think that's taking the **** out of me since High St. Chemists make money at it.

I wonder if anyone has ever worked out all the lost hours of work the NHS cause others.

Or am I just an old cynic?

PS. There are some bright spots. The Royal Berks has a no appointment "walk in" X-Ray Clinic that's quite amazing. They have numerous doors with changing facilities and each has an inner door that opens on to the X-ray sanctum. It's a bit Sci-Fi and you feel like you're on the production line of a machine, but your door opens, in you go, flash bang wallop, back in your box, changed and home.

 

[StephenSails]

Re: Hijacking my own thread - Govt Targets

I had someone make a physical threat to me over the phone recently so I did what most people would do and phoned the Police (gatherers) and was told that there was nothing that could be done until the physical threat was actually carried out! I don't think this is right and by the sounds of it the gatherer did not want to record the incident and I believe this was to keep the old figures low. I had to watch my back for a few weeks and it was not a pleasant time waiting to take a kicking or worse and then having to phone the law up! No kicking took place thank god but what a crap system.

 

[marina95]

Re: Hijacking my own thread - Govt Targets

[ QUOTE ]
I had someone make a physical threat to me over the phone recently so I did what most people would do and phoned the Police (gatherers) and was told that there was nothing that could be done until the physical threat was actually carried out!

[/ QUOTE ]

This is correct. The police will not act unless you've actually been physically abused (and can prove injury). Apparently there was a change in the law a few years back which makes it nigh on impossible for the police to do *anything* unless the assault actually occurs.

So much for preventative policing!

 

[StephenSails]

Re: Hijacking my own thread - Govt Targets

And if I defend myself in my own home there is bloody good chance of me getting gathered by the police! This country has gone mad /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[milltech]

Re: Hijacking my own thread - Govt Targets

There was a TV prog not so long ago where, from the 5 mins I watched, a lot of looney people wanted to be selected to fight a parliamentary seat. I thought "that's what I should do", be paid a substantial sum to shout my mouth off, after all, it's what I do best.

 

[domlee]

Interesting response from the police and similar to my own experiences. Some yobs were attempting to steal my car from the driveway so I phoned the police who "did not have adequate resources to attend". I then asked for the police officers name and number and suggested that, if these yobs damaged or had stolen my car, he could explain to my insurer's why he could not attend!

Less than 5 mins later two landrovers, one unmarked car and approx nine (SPG) officers arrived and sorted the problem - scared the bejaysus out of me never mind the yobs!. It seemed the prospect of added paperwork and hassle proved something of an incentive.... I would suggest asking asking the credit card company or insurers to contact the station sergeant, in writing, and ask why resources were not made available to pre-empt this crime. May not help now but will focus minds in future...

 

[nogopogo]

That's messed up, man.