[Crimson]

This post is not audio-related, but I had to post it as a warning for others to be careful. My credit card just got hacked from Apple's app store. Two in-app purchases totaling $31, both for VoIP applications. How can you prevent this? You can't. But, there are a few things you can do to stay on top of it:

1. Regularly monitor your credit card activity, especially pending charge activity.
2. Regularly change passwords.
3. Don't lose your card. 

The above does not just apply to Apple, but to any online accounts you may have a credit card attached to. The Visa card in question was quickly deactivated by the bank, and I should get the money back in 10 business days (the Visa guarantee).

Be careful, folks!

[ratso]

i was one of the guys who had this happen through a very poplular online electronics/cables dealer a couple years ago. seems to happen a lot with apple? the annoying thing is everytime to this day when i look at my apple purchases i still have a bunch of chinese songs in my account that apple won't remove.

[jrebman]

And I just got a fishing email saying I needed to update my billing info or my Apple store account will be deleted.

It's Christmas time and the scammers are out in force.

-- Jim

[MaxCast]

Thanks for the heads up.
For the iTunes and sony ps3 stores I always use their respective cards, no credit cards.
But...I just bought a $50 itunes card for $40 from walmart on line...with my cc 

[lokie]

I just got a fishing email saying I needed to update my billing info or my Apple store account will be deleted.

I get those for my Paypal account fairly regularly. Especially right after a Paypal transaction??
They are getting good at making those look real.

[low.pfile]

joe(crimson) I am not clear on your scenario. did they lift your cc # from Apple store or use it at the apple store?

I was a victim of identity theft/cc # lift myself last year for around $5k US (via two separate transactions across the country). they even tried to issue a duplicate CC card to another state. Chase VISA alerted me. They covered it all. but what a hassle. Absolutely nothing to do with apple store but another time I had a $35 charge from worlds or warcraft. and Ive never even visited the site.

I definitely havent fallen fallen for the phishing schemes but they are getting the #s from somewhere. And I've never lost my physical card!

As Crimson says be careful out there. my words are double check your charges.

happy new years ACers

[Atlplasma]

I shop quite a bit online and find that I have to replace my credit card about once a year. A couple of months ago I got a call from my CC company asking me to confirm a purchase for two tickets to Ethiopia. 

More disturbing, I just found out that someone was writing checks on my business account at Wal-Mart stores in south Georgia. Somehow the thieves got my routing and account number and went on a small shopping spree. As it turns out, Wal-Mart does NOT require ID when you purchase by check. 

Sorting that one out has been a much bigger headache than replacing my credit card.