Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

[Seibertron]

An FYI to all of you, you should call up your bank via the phone number on the back of your card, explained what happened, and have them cancel your card and send you a new card with a new number. I probably do this annually with my 2 debit and 2 credit cards, usually prompted after a situation like this. Once they've sent you a new card with a new number, no fraudulent charges can go through. It's being proactive rather than reactive after your account has been compromised. It's extremely easy to do and the bank will NOT charge for this. Yes, it's a little bit of a pain to go through and update your credit cards with places where you have automatic payments or pre-orders such as BBTS, but it sure as hell beats fraudulent charges coming through and trying to get your money back.

Just got off the phone with my bank and canceled two of my cards, I'll cancel the other two next week once the new cards arrive so that I'm not left without a debit or credit card.

[shesmovedon]

That's a pretty good idea. A lot easier to update some accounts with new CC information than to be disputing charges.

[Seibertron]

That's a pretty good idea. A lot easier to update some accounts with new CC information than to be disputing charges.

I think because I regularly do this, I have never once been hit with a fraudulent charge in the 15 or 16 years since I've been using debit/credit cards online. I've got my fingers crossed, but this method seems to work fairly well.

[GuyIncognito]

If PayPal was hacked, this would be a national headline, not a rumor on a Transformers website. I doubt it's a PayPal issue.

[Seibertron]

If PayPal was hacked, this would be a national headline, not a rumor on a Transformers website. I doubt it's a PayPal issue.

It's not Paypal.

[Stockade]

My 3 cards was using Paypal to buy Transformers stuff online last year and luckily i get a fraud activity text straight to my phone if any type of unauthorized activity was being done. But the weird thing is, all purchase was done in California and for high end PC stuff and I-tunes as well. Anyway, all 3 accounts was shut down and now im very leary of buying online again.


Has this been confirmed if buying from BBTS and/or TFsource when the activity is done?

[bvzxa]

The problem is many online retailers have to use CC processing services and you get what you (the company) pay for. Which ever CC processing company they use needs to have secure data secured. Even some of the pron sites are using tougher standards that the companies you buy transformers from.

In essence an attack form a hacker will try to break in to the weakest of credit card companies. I have a degree in Network Security and Management, and many online retailers pay big costs for better security. With BBTS, you have Paypal as an option, I use that. TFSource I haven't used since my card was hacked. I wasn't a member of the TFCC last year at all, but I am this year. When I heard they were updating there CC processing I believe they were probably switching to a company that was more secure.

[Seibertron]

The problem is many online retailers have to use CC processing services and you get what you (the company) pay for. Which ever CC processing company they use needs to have secure data secured. Even some of the pron sites are using tougher standards that the companies you buy transformers from.

In essence an attack form a hacker will try to break in to the weakest of credit card companies. I have a degree in Network Security and Management, and many online retailers pay big costs for better security. With BBTS, you have Paypal as an option, I use that. TFSource I haven't used since my card was hacked. I wasn't a member of the TFCC last year at all, but I am this year. When I heard they were updating there CC processing I believe they were probably switching to a company that was more secure.

One of Seibertron.com's staff members got hit after this switch.

[Skalor]

Just wanted to add my story to this ongoing problem. I just got off the phone with my bank, and TFCC, after finding a charge this morning which I didn't make. ($100 to BLIZZARD ENT*ONL STORE 800-592-5499). After speaking with my bank (Chase) first, the fraud department recognized this company as a regularly reported charge, which is evidently a feeler charge to make sure the card number works, then the card is used for further transactions. I quickly cancelled this card and the charge is to be refunded.

I then called FunPub, after reading about all of the problems people on this and other fansites were having for the last several days. I was told by FunPub that I was only the fourth caller to complain/inquire about fraudulent charges (which I thought was strange given the number of issues I've read about). From what I can gather, they're still trying to compile information on what happened before going forward, but what they did ask is that I email them the information on the fraudulent transactions, as well as info on when I placed the orders. I ordered Over-Run AFTER the reestablishment of the CC system, and only yesterday renewed my membership, both with the same card.

I have not had any issues with my cards or bank in 15+ years, and I can put two and two together. I have made no other Transformer related purchases in quite some time (i.e. BBTS, TFSource, etc.) Please make sure that if you have issues, and have made recent purchases to FunPub, that you contact them immediately and share your information. Of course, you will still have to contact respective banks/cc companies to rectify any fraudulent charges, but we can also help FunPub find out what happened, and hopefully prevent future problems.

Skalor

[El Duque]

Fun Publications has issued the following statement regarding recent suspicious activity on TFCC member's credit cards. Please read their statement below.

We have been receiving feedback that there has been a higher than
usual number of fraud complaints posted on online Transformers
forums.

While we have nothing to suggest that there was an issue with the TCC
and Fun Publications, we look into every concern that is sent to us. All
of your transactions are in a secure socket with the strongest encryption
available to any site on the web. If you have a specific concern about
any transaction with us, please use the “contact us” link located at the
bottom of the TCC page and provide us with as much information as
possible including:

1. The EXACT name of merchant as it is written on your statement.
2. Amount and date of suspect charge.
3. Bank your card is drawn on and if it is a debit or credit card.
4. Device and browser (and version) you used for your last payment
with us before you saw a fraudulent charge (ie, android phone,
computer, iphone, browser and version).
6. Were you on a public computer?
7. Were you on a public wi‐fi network?
8. If you were at home or work, what Internet provider did you use?
9. On your last transaction with us, did you receive any kind of error
message (card declined, 404 error, programming type error)? If you did
receive an error, how many times did you resubmit your information?

It is very difficult to track credit card fraud. With your help, we can see
if there are any parallels between those reporting an issue.

In order to better protect yourself, here are some guidelines:

Never log into a secure site from a public computer, public wi‐fi, or
through android/windows phones. Only use your mobile device on a
mobile app for transactions, never a browser. Turn off your bluetooth
and wi‐fi to prevent people from hacking your credit card information
from your phone/computer.

If you have a card that has an rfid chip, make sure your card is shielded
when not in use.

Always make sure you are using a secure socket (https://) for any login
that requires a password or a monetary transaction.

Never email your credit card information to anyone.

As should be common practice, on a regular basis, be sure to check your
statements and make note of any suspicious activity on your card. If you
see an unauthorized charge, turn it in to your bank or card company, the
charge will be reversed, they will issue a new card for you and the
security system in place will have done its job.

Please also take the time to read the attached article and research credit
card security. We are very aware that security concerns have risen
exponentially in the last couple years and we are doing our part to stay
ahead of the curve.

Can Hackers Destroy The Internet? - Forbes