Wow, MasterCard Cancelled My Credit Card

[Kommander_KornFlakes]

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And do you know what was the suspicion that set off bells & alarms at their headquaters? That I pumped $12 worth of gas at a Barrie gas station on Sunday, LOL!!

I have taken and used this CC to South America, NY, and Virginia and used it excessively and never was I called or asked if I was the one using it, but I used it this weekend in Barrie and they cancelled it out of concern for a mere $12 bucks.

Are these people for real?

[the_unknown]

It is not MC that cancelled your card, but whoever issued that card. They're the ones you should complain to.

[SpillOnAisle9]

Just found out the other day that M/C (BMO) cancelled mine after it was
inactive for 3 years.....no warning at all...found out when I decided to
try it before taking it to Italy next week. BMO is now on my schit-list

[joe1487]

Bizarre. I've never had a problem with any purchase in Canada or the US, but I always notify my card companies when I go abroad.

Just found out the other day that M/C (BMO) cancelled mine after it was
inactive for 3 years.....no warning at all...found out when I decided to
try it before taking it to Italy next week. BMO is now on my schit-list

You don't use an account for three years and complain when they close your account? You don't bring them any business for 36 months and they're supposed to keep maintaining the account? Honestly...

[SpillOnAisle9]

You don't use an account for three years and complain when they close your account? You don't bring them any business for 36 months and they're supposed to keep maintaining the account? Honestly...

My point is they could have given a warning. It's $22K of available credit down
the tubes for me. I never carried a balance on it anyway when I used it so
they were only making on the merchant fees

[Kommander_KornFlakes]

It is not MC that cancelled your card, but whoever issued that card. They're the ones you should complain to.

Canadian Tire :rolleyes:

I called them this afternoon and they cited the reason as being that I used it in Barrie and that it was "outside your habitual parameters". They claimed they tried to contact me for confirmation I had been in Barrie, I never heard any calls from them.

Bizarre. I've never had a problem with any purchase in Canada or the US, but I always notify my card companies when I go abroad.


Are you serious, we have to tell them where we are going? I have NEVER called my CC companies to inform them this and have used my CC's overseas (up to $3,000 in purchases) and never had a problem with them, including my Canadian Tire CC.

[gman]

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And do you know what was the suspicion that set off bells & alarms at their headquaters? That I pumped $12 worth of gas at a Barrie gas station on Sunday, LOL!!

I have taken and used this CC to South America, NY, and Virginia and used it excessively and never was I called or asked if I was the one using it, but I used it this weekend in Barrie and they cancelled it out of concern for a mere $12 bucks.

Are these people for real?

Are you saying they cancelled your card instead of suspending your card?

[gman]

My point is they could have given a warning. It's $22K of available credit down
the tubes for me. I never carried a balance on it anyway when I used it so
they were only making on the merchant fees

Are you sure they did not send you a letter? May be you just did not read it. Most credit card company tries their best to keep you.

[SpillOnAisle9]

Are you sure they did not send you a letter? May be you just did not read it. Most credit card company tries their best to keep you.

Nope...nothing, nadda, zilch, zip.

[gman]

Nope...nothing, nadda, zilch, zip.

Then, how did you know your card was cancelled instead of suspended?

[SpillOnAisle9]

Then, how did you know your card was cancelled?

I was going to use it to segregate my European trip costs and I figured I would
try it out with a small purchase first. It was declined....I called...they said it
was cancelled and I needed to re-apply.

I told them I would take my credit business elsewhere.

I liked it because it was no-fee and had a high-limit...even though I didn't
need it. It was better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it :)

[gman]

I was going to use it to segregate my European trip costs and I figured I would
try it out with a small purchase first. It was declined....I called...they said it
was cancelled and I needed to re-apply.

I told them I would take my credit business elsewhere.

I liked it because it was no-fee and had a high-limit...even though I didn't
need it. It was better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it :)

May be my unused BMO MC card is canceled too. :)

[dmitri81]

Its hard to understand how CC companies track your usual usage. I had a TD Visa and a BMO MC that I took to Japan for a year. Used it there for the entire 12 months. Clearly they could see unusual amounts in YEN being charged to both cards yet there were no suspensions/calls/letters. So I just kept paying my bills and using the cards. One specific purchase was a digital camera for $700. Not a peep.

Went to Hawaii and used my Amex which has never been outside of Canada. Put over $3000 on it and yet again not a peep from Amex. No idea what do they actually classify usual and unusual usage.

[joe1487]

Are you serious, we have to tell them where we are going? I have NEVER called my CC companies to inform them this and have used my CC's overseas (up to $3,000 in purchases) and never had a problem with them, including my Canadian Tire CC.

You don't have to, it's just recommended to avoid having your card declined. I've never had a problem using one of the cards that I forgot to call in about, but others have. It's a good idea to always call in about your primary card - at the very least, to inform them that you travel a lot and that foreign transactions shouldn't be considered extraordinary.

[Kommander_KornFlakes]

Its hard to understand how CC companies track your usual usage. I had a TD Visa and a BMO MC that I took to Japan for a year. Used it there for the entire 12 months. Clearly they could see unusual amounts in YEN being charged to both cards yet there were no suspensions/calls/letters. So I just kept paying my bills and using the cards. One specific purchase was a digital camera for $700. Not a peep.



But sometimes they hit the nail right on the head, my aunt's VISA was cancelled when someone stole her number and were purchasing men's rubber boots and expensive fishing equipment, the VISA crew got suspicious that those were no purchases related to a 57-year-old woman. They called her to confirm if she had been buying those things hours earlier at a mall, she said "no" and they promptly suspended the account.

[dealtacular]

KK's card was probably suspended, and not cancelled.

You should notify the CC company if you are away from your usual area. Having said that, someone from Toronto travelling to Barrie should not have to notify them. I have travelled within Canada without notifying them and never had problems.

If you haven't used your card in a long time, you should call and check that everything is still the same with that card. While CC companies should notify you if they cancel the card (and many don't), you should also be checking if you haven't used it in a long time and especially if you are travelling abroad.

[jstaneon]

who buys $12 in gas? :razz:

j/k

I had them miss a flight payment on my CC which was purchased in denmark. I called to complain and they asked me why I am complaining. I asked the rep what country I was calling from......and eventually the rep put 2 + 2 together.

[spf1971]

I was going to use it to segregate my European trip costs and I figured I would
try it out with a small purchase first. It was declined....I called...they said it
was cancelled and I needed to re-apply.

I told them I would take my credit business elsewhere.

I liked it because it was no-fee and had a high-limit...even though I didn't
need it. It was better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it :)

So you gave them no business, they made no money off of you and you believe they'll be sorry/worried you're taking your business elsewhere? It seems like they were getting nothing and so lost nothing. It seems like a win for them.

[Jacklad]

May be my unused BMO MC card is canceled too. :)

Mine aren't - and I have the monthly "bills" to prove it. :cheesygri

They may be zero balances, but the companies still send the statements (and I check them every month just to make sure there's no fraud going on). I don't imagine I could be surprised in this way.

[Wiseman]

who buys $12 in gas? :razz:



Since it was a Canadian Tire Mastercard, he probably bought 10 litres which is the minimum to get the CT money multiplier reward. :D

[red120]

So you gave them no business, they made no money off of you and you believe they'll be sorry/worried you're taking your business elsewhere? It seems like they were getting nothing and so lost nothing. It seems like a win for them.
Spoken like someone who has no idea how credit cards work.

Well done, sir.

[spf1971]

Spoken like someone who has no idea how credit cards work.

Well done, sir.

Explain to me what I obviously don't know then! The card had no annual fee and he hadn't used the card in 3 years so the company made no money on transaction fees. Exactly how did the credit card company make any money off of the card? All they got out of the deal was having to track the card for 3 years. It sounds like you're the one who has no idea how credit cards work.

[brunes]

Please let this useless KK thread die ASAP. Thanks.

[Kommander_KornFlakes]

who buys $12 in gas? :razz:

.

I filled up a motorcycle, the card was suspended, I called yesterday and they asked me about 6 personal questions and told me that my card was "active immediately", I still find it absurd for them to suspend my card just because I purchased gas in Barrie, I always use this card BTW, even overseas and never had this problem before.

[Potsman]

Just found out the other day that M/C (BMO) cancelled mine after it was
inactive for 3 years.....no warning at all...found out when I decided to
try it before taking it to Italy next week. BMO is now on my schit-list

Well I believe you will probably find your answer in your cardholder agreement... this card is the property of (whatever issuer) and can be recalled at any time without notice or warning or something to that effect as that is usually a standard clause in any cardholder agreement. 3 years of inactivity in all honesty is a long time, so it's kinda hard to blame the bank entirely.

[angel_wing0]

My point is they could have given a warning.

i couldnt agree with that anymore.

I also had that happened to me once with pcf...no warning at all just suspended. Lucky i was paying for gas and the card wont go thru. Else who knows when i would have found out :p

[spf1971]

But it wasn't canceled, they froze the account until the OP confirmed he still had it in his possession. It's to prevent fraud. I've had it happen to me, one phone call and it's all straightened out.

[MegaSilver]

who buys $12 in gas? :razz:

Thieves. It is a well documented fact that the easiest way to get you CC suspended is to buy gas at the pump. The first thing crooks will often due with a stolen CC is fill up their tank with gas at an unmanned pump. If the card has already been reported stolen, they can take off quickly. Then, they usually get gas for another car, and go buy a pair of running shoes.

I filled up a motorcycle, the card was suspended, I called yesterday and they asked me about 6 personal questions and told me that my card was "active immediately", I still find it absurd for them to suspend my card just because I purchased gas in Barrie, I always use this card BTW, even overseas and never had this problem before.

It is odd that this would pop up, and not the overseas purchases. Who knows what the algorithm they use is. Also, a good habit to call ahead to let them know. It would be a PITA to have your card suspended on the first day of your European vacation

[CSIFan29]

Do you usually spend more money on gas (fill it up from empty) and maybe the little purchase of gas triggered it?...who knows?

[gman]

Mine aren't - and I have the monthly "bills" to prove it. :cheesygri

They may be zero balances, but the companies still send the statements (and I check them every month just to make sure there's no fraud going on). I don't imagine I could be surprised in this way.

I have many credit cards and many are in $0 balance. When there is no transaction, these cards do not send me any statement. They may send me ads but no statement unless there is a 'agreement' change.

[the_unknown]

For some reason, really miniscule purchases at self-serve gas or parking stations trigger fraud mechanisms. I used my CIBC Aerogold Infinite for the first time in 4 months at YorkU for $1 worth of parking- next purchase for $200 of books was instantly denied.

[Carnage]

A couple years ago I had my Visa suspended in a similar way.

I had gotten an oil change, then I bough an Xbox360 online with in store pickup at Futureshop. Got gas a block from the Futureshop, by the time I got to FS my card had been suspended.

Sure was embarrassing having to call Visa at the FS counter to get my card re-activated.

[Jacklad]

I have many credit cards and many are in $0 balance. When there is no transaction, these cards do not send me any statement. They may send me ads but no statement unless there is a 'agreement' change.

I get mine emailed; perhaps that's the difference? I currently have only two cards active, but I still get my statements for the unused cards (and my empty LOCs) monthly.

I've only had two accounts cancelled - one was a Brick card that had been unused >3 years, the other was a Canadian Tire LOC that had never been used. Both sent notices in advance so that I could have kept them active if I wanted them.

[coolspot]

My point is they could have given a warning. It's $22K of available credit down
the tubes for me. I never carried a balance on it anyway when I used it so
they were only making on the merchant fees

You can get your card reactived with a simple phone call.

Your card was flagged for 3 reasons:


It was dormant for 3 years.
Your first purchase in 3 years was at a gas station.
Your purchase was only for 12.00.


This pattern raised alarm bells in their risk management system; fraudsters typically test the card with low-value payments at places like gas stations to see if the card is active...

[Siefer999]

CIBC suspended my card after someone used my card in montreal to buy $70 worth of gas and put a $66 purchase through famous players. funny thing is that i havent used that CIBC visa in about a year. I'm glad they caught it though. I've used that card in montreal 2 years ago when i was really there and in various places in the states last year, and they didnt flag my account.

gas and famous players tickets are not outside what i would put on my card to.

[spf1971]

It was explained to me that after stealing a credit card people will often try them in low risk situations i.e. self serve/pay at pump gas stations. If the card is still active, good; if the card has been reported stolen, there is little risk to getting caught because you're only using a machine.

Which would you prefer; 1 phone call to reactivate your card or a few weeks straightening out fraudulent charges potentially affecting your credit?

[dealtacular]

It wasn't this pattern though, you need to read the thread before posting.


You can get your card reactived with a simple phone call.

Your card was flagged for 3 reasons:


It was dormant for 3 years.
Your first purchase in 3 years was at a gas station.
Your purchase was only for 12.00.


This pattern raised alarm bells in their risk management system; fraudsters typically test the card with low-value payments at places like gas stations to see if the card is active...

[brunes]

Thieves. It is a well documented fact that the easiest way to get you CC suspended is to buy gas at the pump. The first thing crooks will often due with a stolen CC is fill up their tank with gas at an unmanned pump. If the card has already been reported stolen, they can take off quickly. Then, they usually get gas for another car, and go buy a pair of running shoes.

It is odd that this would pop up, and not the overseas purchases. Who knows what the algorithm they use is. Also, a good habit to call ahead to let them know. It would be a PITA to have your card suspended on the first day of your European vacation

Yep . Other things that I have found can get your card flagged is buying a calling card online (another similar way to check if a card has been deactivated before making a large purchase), or billing three telecom services under different companies (this actually got my card de-activated two months in a row before I called and spoke to a manager and had this restriction removed from my profile - we have cable and one cell with Rogers, one cell and TV with Bell, and home phone with Vonage. Apparently this is highly unusual - excuse me for hunting for the best deals!)

[nalababe]

For some reason, really miniscule purchases at self-serve gas or parking stations trigger fraud mechanisms. I used my CIBC Aerogold Infinite for the first time in 4 months at YorkU for $1 worth of parking- next purchase for $200 of books was instantly denied.

It is how someone checks if a frauded card/lost card works...two most common tests are phone and gas (small amounts).

[Gloaming]

Karma

[elty]

Karma

Maybe one of the guy from CT Bank read RFD.

[emacs]

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And do you know what was the suspicion that set off bells & alarms at their headquaters? That I pumped $12 worth of gas at a Barrie gas station on Sunday, LOL!!

...

Are these people for real?


yes. micro transactions that are outside of the norm of your historical purchase patterns / frequency is among the most commonly used tactics by credit card fraudsters