Pluto Data Credit Card Charge in Spam, Scam and Phishbusters

Pluto Data Credit Card Charge in Spam, Scam and Phishbusters http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r12704660 en Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:24:06 EDT Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:24:06 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13923327 funchords :

said by overwelmed

:

It seems as though the posters who are saying their bank won't refund them the money since it's under $50 may be right. According to the FCBA you are only responsible for unauthorized charges "up to $50". That wouldn't stop me from raising holy hell with my bank though.

No. Don't let your bank buffalo you!

Only if the card is lost or stolen AND the consumer failed to report it within (some time limit that I can't remember).

This does not apply to charges that appear on the statement that were not made by the consumer. Those have 60 days from the statement date to be reported in writing.

Further more, many banks have been advertising zero liability -- although terms and conditions may apply. Debit Cards aren't covered by the same laws as Credit Cards, but both Visa and Mastercard have set brand rules that the issuers must follow, offering at least the same consumer protections as the credit cards.

Do not accept these charges under any circumstances. If you have disputed in writing and a U.S.-based bank is not holding you harmless, contact the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency with a copy to the Office of the President of the offending bank. You will get a positive response.
--
Robb Topolski ;) http://www.funchords.com/ :D Hillsboro, Oregon USA
They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13923327 Mon, 18 Jul 2005 16:44:27 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13920209 algorithm :

said by overwelmed

:

Read the fine print on the back of your credit card statements before you start telling people they are wrong.

Re:Pluto charge again on new card

»www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fc..

It seems as though the posters who are saying their bank won't refund them the money since it's under $50 may be right. According to the FCBA you are only responsible for unauthorized charges "up to $50". That wouldn't stop me from raising holy hell with my bank though.

Those people need to dump the card that sticks them with the first $50 and get one that doesn't.
--
"Those who can not remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana - 1905]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13920209 Mon, 18 Jul 2005 10:00:24 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13787636 i386 : There are many ways the charges could have happened to you... we'll need to see other merchants people have shopped at

1) Some crooks are randomly generating credit card numbers
2) One of the merchants is selling your card # (doubtful), or they have an EMPLOYEE that is doing it]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13787636 Fri, 01 Jul 2005 02:36:32 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13785927 anon : I just tried to pay directv with a prepaid credit card and was declined due to lack of money. I put the money on the card yesterday at 4:33 and the money from pluto data was deducted and 5:15. I only use this card to pay my husband's insurance with GMAC insurance, Virgin Mobile, Z-tel communications and Directv.

There is also a charge for e-music.com for 9.99 that we had not signed up for.

Glad to see that we are not alone and going to check my credit card balance online now at least once a day.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13785927 Thu, 30 Jun 2005 22:05:43 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13697447 anon : actually, had the same thing.. he is filipino, that's for sure. lots of related charges to mobius.ph etc, infophil, some other bs. I notice some of the charges to EU8885969279 were reversed but not all. taking it up with my bank. google search brought me here.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13697447 Sun, 19 Jun 2005 19:27:39 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13693146 i386 : What is the link? Yours came out like this:

»www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fc..

You will need to add "hxxp://". Replace "x" with "t". And also complete the part after "...".
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13693146 Sun, 19 Jun 2005 03:03:38 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13692295 overwelmed : Read the fine print on the back of your credit card statements before you start telling people they are wrong.

Re:Pluto charge again on new card

»www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fc..

It seems as though the posters who are saying their bank won't refund them the money since it's under $50 may be right. According to the FCBA you are only responsible for unauthorized charges "up to $50". That wouldn't stop me from raising holy hell with my bank though.

I've read about 90% of the pages in this thread and it seems pretty clear to me that Answer Quick was just the answering service. Is there any solid evidence that they are in on it?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13692295 Sat, 18 Jun 2005 23:50:02 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13655707 i386 : well, we have new registration info.

   Robert Barnes (rjbarnes@rjb.net)
   +1.3107047072
   Fax: +1.3103389168
   6562 Firebrand St.
   Westchester, CA 90045
   US

rjb.net also has the same
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13655707 Tue, 14 Jun 2005 14:18:00 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13646567 MGD : Unfortunately, additional charges made against the old card will rollover to the new one. However, something is wrong there, and the law (is on your side). They cannot charge late fees, finance charges etc on disputed charges and must resolve them in a specific timeframe. In addition, the witholding of payment on the disputed amounts cannot affect your credit rating.

Please review the following, and make sure you have documented the dispute in writing to them, after the phone calls.
Quote:

The Fair Credit Billing Act requires creditors to correct errors promptly and without damage to your credit rating.

A Case of Error? The law defines a billing error as any charge

• for something you didn't buy or for a purchase
by someone not authorized to use your account

• that is not properly identified on your bill or
is for an amount different from the actual
purchase price or was entered on a date
different from the purchase date

• for something that you did not accept on
delivery or that was not delivered according to
agreement.

Billing errors also include:

• errors in arithmetic

• failure to show a payment or other credit
to your account

• failure to mail the bill to your current
address, provided you told the creditor
about an address change at least 20 days
before the end of the billing period

• an item on your bill for which you need
more information.

In Case of Error. If you think your bill is wrong, or want more information about it, follow these steps:

1. Notify the creditor in writing within 60 days after the first bill was mailed that showed the error. Be sure to write to the address the creditor lists for billing inquiries and to tell the creditor

• your name and account number

• that you believe the bill contains an error
and why you believe it is wrong and

• the date and suspected amount of the error or
the item that you want explained.

2. Pay all parts of the bill that are not in dispute. But while waiting for an answer, you do not have to pay the amount in question (the disputed amount) or any minimum payments or finance charges that apply to it.

The creditor must acknowledge your letter within 30 days unless the problem can be resolved within that time. Within two billing periods, but in no case longer than 90 days, either your account must be corrected, or you must be told why the creditor believes that the bill is correct.

If the creditor made a mistake, you do not pay any finance charges on the disputed amount. Your account must be corrected, and you must be sent an explanation of any amount you still owe.

If no error is found, the creditor must send you an explanation of the reasons for that finding and promptly send a statement of what you owe, which may include any finance charges that have accumulated and any minimum payments you missed while you were questioning the bill. You then have the time usually given on your type of account to pay any balance.

3. If you still are not satisfied, you should notify the creditor in writing within the time allowed to pay your bill.

ref: »www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/cons···htm#bill

DOW]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13646567 Mon, 13 Jun 2005 12:38:31 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13643752 anon : Hello all.

I dont recall if this is the same message area i poste dbefore but my charge was in march. well, the pluto charge is still lurking. after doing the proper reporting, etc. i had my new card wit hnew number shipped. well, to my suprise i had 2 more pluto charges on the card and then called cap one. come to find out, they never even disputed it, they just let the "vendor" credit me back. i wasl ike, vendor? how can the fraudulent pluto credit me back? then i am now fighting cap one. i been hit with 3 late payment fees because i refuse to pay the pluto charges. i even have a letter from cap ones fraud dept saying i was frauded and they will credit all back to me. now they are saying other wise. besides getting a lawyer, who else can i report cap one to about this?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13643752 Sun, 12 Jun 2005 23:35:59 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13622161 Wyoming44 : I have not heard of that one! But, the lesson is read your statement and call the card company and request bogus charges be removed. Learn more at »www.ihatecreditcards.com.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13622161 Thu, 09 Jun 2005 23:31:48 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13618270 i386 : Any other ideas on how this may have happened?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13618270 Thu, 09 Jun 2005 15:02:38 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13591468 i386 : DD13 - I'd recommend registering and making a new topic :-) You don't need to register, you can post anonymously. Dispute the charges with your credit card company, and contact the three credit bureaus and have fraud alerts posted to your accounts. Cancel your credit card and get it reissued.
--
Best regards, Eddie]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13591468 Mon, 06 Jun 2005 15:39:09 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13544485 i386 : if they have another merchant account it may not be the same
--
Best regards, Eddie]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13544485 Tue, 31 May 2005 21:54:07 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13541237 etoast66 : It looks like a similar scam is now being reported in the Security forum. I wonder if its the same group or a copycat.

»Strange CC charge - disputed]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13541237 Tue, 31 May 2005 15:21:26 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13537868 i386 : I doubt anyone will know where the break-in was at, but... just watch your credit card statements.

And for your security, CANCEL YOUR CARDS WHEN YOU GET A FRAUDULENT CHARGE.
--
Best regards, Eddie]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13537868 Tue, 31 May 2005 03:22:33 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13338841 anon : Same here. i called my credit card company and they cotacted Pluto and Pluto credited by credited card.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13338841 Thu, 05 May 2005 17:32:29 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge Poss Busted http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13317998 markww : Wanted to let everyone know that the FBI Busted a guyt who had broken into SKYPE. NET and had stolen thousands upon Thosands of credit cards. He had broeken into the system for over 8 weeks started in Feburary on Valentines Day I have talked to Baton Rouge PD Investigators and sending them this information. The guy who broke in was 20 yrs old and had Puraches Brand new Coputers, and many many automatic weapons from Tek-92 to Sub Machine guns and Ak-47's. If you go to rip off reports and do a search on the right of the page top and put skype you will see how he broke in and the final disposition. This couls have also been a mail fowarding system setup and the man could have used Pluto. D Nicosia, but that was not on the report. The Skype system had been broken into for over 8 weeks, and even the president of Skype didnt know it till they got their security people involved and this kid was able to break through security systems. Including in the Bust was all his notes thousands of pages and cds full of credit card information.

Mark]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13317998 Tue, 03 May 2005 07:39:43 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13284656 anon : I never posted at the time, but back in March I did notice 2 charges from Pluto Nicosia on my Visa bank debit card and notified my bank that I knew nothing about the charges. My bank credited my account for the two amounts...19.99 and 29.99 and I also in see a credit was added from the company (Nicosia?) in April for the 29.99 charge. At the time I reported it to the bank I dumped that card and got a new number. Still wondering how and where my credit info was stolen though. In scanning some of the posts on this site I happened to see the offensive post about ordering porn etc. Never in my life. THAT made me extremely angry. lol I order things online only from department stores like Penney's, FTD florists, Amazon etc. At first I thought about ceasing all online purchasing activity but who's to say this originated online? Couldn't it have just as easily been an "in house" theaft too? With paper reciepts or records involved? I don't know. Sheesh. Should we all go back to paying with cash and keeping our money under our mattresses? lol I hate theives. Slime. Lazy, corrupt, slime. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13284656 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 19:31:47 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13276584 anon : I also realize the Pluto Data scam is probably over, with no real answers, but I appreciate everyone's help, support, info, and time in commenting in this website. It helped me vent. And thanks to Bob Sullivan @MSNBC for giving it the first media coverage. Does anyone think this will ever be known as to how we got scammed or will it just become ashes?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13276584 Wed, 27 Apr 2005 20:31:08 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13276521 anon : I realized this when I got the product and opted out of the automatic shipments before they could start. I got the link from Oprah's website and decided to try it. But thanks for the warning. I've got my guard up....]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13276521 Wed, 27 Apr 2005 20:24:17 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13272659 SOLdesign :

said by Kip patterson

:

IMX Hydroderm is an outfit that supplies skin creams. A sample is free, but you are billed $3.95 for shipping and handling, for which you have to provide a credit card, cvv2 code, billing address, and year of birth.

A quick Google will show what this person posts is accurate - when you get the sample you are enrolled in an autoship program, and they will ship additional product and bill you for it.

In other words, a scam.

I guess my point was instead of putting this post in the 57th page of a Pluto Data section, maybe create a topic describing this actual scam and what happened. His post was very vague about who or what this was or how it was related to Pluto Data. Thanks for the additional info...
--
-Why don't you just Xanadu yourself right into the police car sir? Well, why don't you just Xanadont! - Reno 911]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13272659 Wed, 27 Apr 2005 12:55:34 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13272625 Kip patterson : IMX Hydroderm is an outfit that supplies skin creams. A sample is free, but you are billed $3.95 for shipping and handling, for which you have to provide a credit card, cvv2 code, billing address, and year of birth.

A quick Google will show what this person posts is accurate - when you get the sample you are enrolled in an autoship program, and they will ship additional product and bill you for it.

In other words, a scam.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13272625 Wed, 27 Apr 2005 12:51:39 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13271946 SOLdesign :

said by arji:

:mad:Be careful the charge from IMX*HYDRODERM when you purchasing the sample. You credit card will be automatically charged lots of amount.

what sample? how does this relate to Pluto?
--
-Why don't you just Xanadu yourself right into the police car sir? Well, why don't you just Xanadont! - Reno 911]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13271946 Wed, 27 Apr 2005 11:25:20 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13265321 anon : :mad:Be careful the charge from IMX*HYDRODERM when you purchasing the sample. You credit card will be automatically charged lots of amount.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13265321 Tue, 26 Apr 2005 15:44:44 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13235297 Kip patterson : Mastercard and Visa were hit. There seems to be no pattern as to what issuers or where the cards were used, at least none disclosed so far.

Neither American Express nor Discover were hit, likely because of the different way those two issuers work. They create merchant accounts directly, whereas Mastercard and Visa work through banks.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13235297 Fri, 22 Apr 2005 16:06:40 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13235104 anon : I'm curious to see what credit cards were not hit. If you have multiple cards and one got hit and one didn't; which cards are "safe"?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13235104 Fri, 22 Apr 2005 15:37:12 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13231513 anon : :(

I did not check my statements until today, 65 days after the charge on 2/15 for 39.99 on my BOA Visa from the pluto people, Is there any hope for me? I got the address to file a dispute. But I'm really mad that the fraud dept. that obviously knew about this in March didn't think to let its other customers know about the problem. That would have been nice.

I cancelled the card anyway.

Does anyone else have T-Mobile -- another site suggested there might be a connection.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13231513 Fri, 22 Apr 2005 01:31:05 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13225879 anon : I have a charge for 19.99 on my Master Card. Will call to stop it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13225879 Thu, 21 Apr 2005 14:03:01 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13174317 anon : Just got my credit card statement and had Pluto data charge of $39.99 on the 6th of March, found this site, contacted my bank, looks like it as spread to Australia as thats where i am.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13174317 Thu, 14 Apr 2005 22:52:13 EDT Re: GM Mastercard breach http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13169033 DyerUser :

said by Kip patterson

:

The "unnamed retailer" is Polo Ralph Lauren, per the WSJ.

And according to the BusinessWeek write-up on this I was wrong to surmise it is related to Pluto Data. The article says:

MasterCard said in a statement that it was informed of a 
possible security breach "of transaction data associated 
with a U.S.-based retailer" in January 2005 and had launched
an investigation immediately. The statement said banks that
are members of the card association were notified.
.
.
.
HSBC's Cohen said the bank did not yet know if the thieves 
had used any of the data they got.

Both a January notification and not knowing if the data were used would argue against a Pluto Data link.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13169033 Thu, 14 Apr 2005 12:53:09 EDT Re: GM Mastercard breach http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13167545 Kip patterson : The "unnamed retailer" is Polo Ralph Lauren, per the WSJ.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13167545 Thu, 14 Apr 2005 09:41:49 EDT Re: GM Mastercard breach http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13167528 DyerUser :

said by JoshNJ

:

Pluto charged both visa and mastercard, and wasn't only gm branded cards with pluto

Correct. However, MasterCard fraud would have done its own investigation and if it found something, it would have then contacted appropriate issuers.

I was not suggesting that it only hit GM Mastercard users. What I was suggesting is that it could be that this is GM Mastercard's issuer finding out about the fraud from Mastercard.

If you read the CNN article, you will note that it says that "information may have been open to compromise when [consumers] shopped with an undisclosed retailer." So, that would hardly make it unique to GM Mastercards, it's just that GM Mastercard apparently has a policy of notifying its customers when a major breach like this occurs. It appears that most don't.

This may well be unrelated, but the time frame of March is right for an investigation into the Pluto Data scam--as is the recommendation to change your card.

For what it's worth, I have a GM Mastercard. I did not receive any Pluto Data charges and I have yet to receive any letter from GM Mastercard. Of course, if less than .1% of the letters have gone out, I still have a chance.

This is the first time that I have ever heard of a credit card company sending out a mass mailing recommending that cards be changed.

Since the article implies that it is a problem with an unnamed retailer, we should be hearing about this from more card issuers going forward.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13167528 Thu, 14 Apr 2005 09:39:58 EDT Re:Pluto charge again on new card http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13167352 anon : Missing the point!!!!!!! I would not contact Pluto anyway since they are overseas and my phone bill would probably rack up to the same amount I originally lost from them.

The point of the discussion that I responded to was if Answer Quick knew or was involved in the Pluto scam. The operators saying one thing and then not being able to back it up when questioned and hanging up in your ear does not make any sense. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13167352 Thu, 14 Apr 2005 09:11:12 EDT Re: GM Mastercard breach http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13164896 JoshNJ :

said by DyerUser

:

GM Mastercard customers

Pluto charged both visa and mastercard, and wasn't only gm branded cards with pluto
--
I support the RIAA]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13164896 Wed, 13 Apr 2005 22:37:04 EDT GM Mastercard breach http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13163507 DyerUser : »money.cnn.com/2005/04/13/news/fo···?cnn=yes

CNN is reporting on a breach of 187,000 GM Mastercard customers who shopped at an unnamed merchant. It has this to say, which makes me think it may be related to the Pluto Data scam:

HSBC said it was notified by MasterCard's Fraud
Management Department in March about the breach, but 
was not provided with details on the unnamed retailer.

Fraud department id'd it sometime in March and it hit thousands. May be unrelated.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13163507 Wed, 13 Apr 2005 20:07:20 EDT Re:Pluto charge again on new card http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13153117 catseyenu : Sounds like easy money to me, maybe we should all get in on it.
/sarcasm
The more I learn how half assed the credit industry is about security and customer protection the madder I get.:mad:
--
"Parched, dry and thirsty... Knee deep in the river of life."]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13153117 Tue, 12 Apr 2005 17:45:19 EDT Re:Pluto charge again on new card http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13152046 Kip patterson : Once again, Answerquick did not have any direct access to the Pluto merchant account. When you call them, or any other similar service, all they can do is look in the seller's order database and leave a request for the reversal of charges.

Obviously, Pluto never had any intent of processing any of those reversals. Answerquick was in the picture just to make the scam last a little longer. One merchant bank found them out and shut them down in three weeks. Another shut them down until contacted by the card company, so they go about a five week run there. Each extra day means more money for Pluto.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13152046 Tue, 12 Apr 2005 15:42:32 EDT Re:Pluto charge again on new card http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13151907 JoshNJ :

said by BB72:

Why tell people that they will contact Pluto to reverse the charges right AFTER saying they have no contact info for Pluto.

Generally answering services do not give out contact info for the businesses they are answering calls for, probably is in their contract that they can't give out info. Just because pluto may be doing something illegal, doesn't necessarily mean answer quick can break the terms of their contract, besides, them giving you contact information wouldn't do any good, if pluto is wrongly charging people, you calling them yourself won't do any good.
--
I support the RIAA]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13151907 Tue, 12 Apr 2005 15:26:03 EDT Re:Pluto charge again on new card http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13151849 anon : There was some discussion further back that most of the operators at Answer Quick are just college kids. I am sure these kids are not involved directly but whoever is running the show at Answer Quick is. Why tell people that they will contact Pluto to reverse the charges right AFTER saying they have no contact info for Pluto. What happens when people question that, they hang up on you.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13151849 Tue, 12 Apr 2005 15:19:09 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13148893 anon : Hi,

I have also got ripped off by thedownloadplace.com....I can't find a number by which to call them, where did you get yours?

Thanks]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13148893 Tue, 12 Apr 2005 07:56:30 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13145901 panmus : I went to my Bank today. I thought there were two charges but one was the charge and the second was the refund. It looks like the Fraud Investigation division of Chase bank had seen this charge before I did and reversed it.

I took the news clippings one of the participants provided to the bank and they were surprised at the extent of this scam. They are going to alert their customers about this scam. I really thank all the people who participated on this bulletin board and provided the information.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13145901 Mon, 11 Apr 2005 20:50:52 EDT Re:Pluto charge again on new card http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13144006 internetlol2 : »www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fcb.htm

It seems as though the posters who are saying their bank won't refund them the money since it's under $50 may be right. According to the FCBA you are only responsible for unauthorized charges "up to $50". That wouldn't stop me from raising holy hell with my bank though.

I've read about 90% of the pages in this thread and it seems pretty clear to me that Answer Quick was just the answering service. Is there any solid evidence that they are in on it?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13144006 Mon, 11 Apr 2005 17:04:28 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13138141 panmus : I just returned from a two week vacation and saw my bank statement. I have two charges, one on March 11th and another one on March 29. I called the Quick Call and they told me that they were only the answering service and they had been with the Pluto Data for only one week. Reading the complaints in the "Broadband" I see, Quick Call has been answering for Pluto even in November of 2004. If Pluto was their customer for only one week, how is this possible? If so many people have been complaining since fourth quarter of 2004, how come nobody took action even after 6 months (I got a charge on March 29 the you know!)?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13138141 Sun, 10 Apr 2005 22:00:22 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13117847 Kip patterson : Some days I eat at Wendy's; each Wednesday. though, I eat lunch at a restaurant across the street from Wndy's headquarters.

What does that have to do with this fraud? A considerable amount, it turns out.

Wendy's has been plagued by an allegation that a woman bit down on a human finger in a bowl of their chili. Wendy's did not run and hide from this allegation - they faced it squarely and publicly, offering a $50,000 reward for the person who identified the source of the finger.

In the news this morning you wll read that the police got a warrant to search the property of the alleged victim, and it looks like Wendy's will be vindicated.

AnswerQuick, are you listening, or do you still have your head in the sand???]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13117847 Fri, 08 Apr 2005 05:09:25 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13117138 anon : that little 30 dollar charge put my account out of balance u see some ppl live pay check to paycheck bc there r no jobs in their crappy little redneck towns so when they took that 30 dollars the put everything out of balance when i had other things that needed to clear. ummm duh how else would that have happened]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13117138 Fri, 08 Apr 2005 01:14:06 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13113626 bearbear505 : Nope. i have the original that was fwd to the new account as listed and then the new charge listed, however ending with a zero after, nicosia0. I called and they (visa cc co) didnt understand it either. new card is coming soon. I had my Boa card put on security hold and they notified me that the nicosia charge was attempted, but wasnt since i was in the process of canceling the card and getting a new account for safety reasons. i thought at first it was the fwd charge but then noticed the new charge. beats me.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13113626 Thu, 07 Apr 2005 18:30:23 EDT Re:Pluto charge again on new card http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13113546 Kip patterson : I think you will find that the bank forwarded the charge to the new card. My bank tells me they do that and nothing can be done about it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13113546 Thu, 07 Apr 2005 18:20:08 EDT Re:Pluto charge again on new card http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13113510 bearbear505 : Well, I was charged again, got a new visa, never been used or given out to merhcants. cc company says theyll immediatly mark it as fraudulant like the old charge but makes me wonder. cancelled that card, awaiting for a new one.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13113510 Thu, 07 Apr 2005 18:15:36 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13111783 ErinV : I am a local news television producer in Washington DC and I am looking for consumers in the Washington, DC "Metro Area" who had charges illegally posted from Pluto Data on the credit card.

Please post a reply if you are interested in working with me on this story?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13111783 Thu, 07 Apr 2005 14:13:50 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13111633 anon : i just got a credit, automatically with respect to a charge for 29.99 earlier this month.
at the advice of my financial institution, i cancelled my card and requested a new one.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13111633 Thu, 07 Apr 2005 13:49:38 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13106259 anon : I have the same charge on my debit card also. All you need to do is call 888-596-9279 and explain to them that fraud was committed, and they will refund you your $100.

-Richard]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13106259 Wed, 06 Apr 2005 20:45:54 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13088647 DrTCP : This scam also covered by Clark Howard:

»clarkhoward.com/shownotes/2005/03/29.html

Scroll to the end of the page.

(Clark has a consumer empowerment show on radio)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13088647 Mon, 04 Apr 2005 21:20:01 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13085452 anon : Got me too. My bank had already had another complaint and recognized the scam. They immediatly reversed the charges canceled my card and issued another. Pass the word about this one a lot of people are getting hit.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13085452 Mon, 04 Apr 2005 14:47:47 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13080890 algorithm :

said by overwelmed

:

Keep in mind some card holders cannot get their money back from this charge because the amount isn't large enough. My Visa card will not refund any disputes under $50.

That's not legal under the Federal Fair Credit Billing Act. As long as you report the amount in a timely manner, they must reverse the charge.

Are you confusing this with a policy that stipulates that you are responsible for up to $50 if you don't report the fraud in a timely manner?
--
"Those who can not remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana - 1905]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13080890 Sun, 03 Apr 2005 22:08:41 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13080845 algorithm :

said by passowrd:

Got ripped off too. Saw a charge of $29.99 on my Visa. Called the 800 number and would only get a busy signal. This sucks! Called my bank, and though they can't remove the charge, they cancelled my card and issued a new one. These Pluto people need to go down hard!!

Demand they remove the charge; "The Federal Fair Credit Billing Act sets up procedures requiring creditors to promptly credit your payments and correct billing mistakes, and allows you to withhold payments on defective goods."

The Act further defines "billing mistakes" to include items charged which you, or an authorized person, did not purchase. As long as you report it within 60 days, the bank must reverse the charge until and unless the the vendor provides proof of its validity.
--
"Those who can not remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana - 1905]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13080845 Sun, 03 Apr 2005 22:04:19 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13078357 anon : I also had the 29.99 charge on 3.9.05 from Pluto D Nicosia Cy. I did not catch it right away and actually did not find out until my bank called me about other charges on my account. I have disputed the charges and been refunded the 29.99 but now have a laundry list of other charges popping up on my account. Phytoray, I M A Healt I M A Healtheline europe mold GB and MANY MORE. The bank has canceled the card and it has gone to the fraud department.

Other general info:
I'm in Colorado
Visa Debit - Credit Union]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13078357 Sun, 03 Apr 2005 15:31:08 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13077038 anon : I got the same charge on my card on march 15 for 29.99. I went to my bank canceled the card and the bank gave me the money back. I was checking my bank account and found that CkCd 888-323-8955 PL COSIA had refunded the 29.99 back to me on March 31.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13077038 Sun, 03 Apr 2005 11:51:53 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13073908 sailor :

said by BB72:

I am not sure if this has been posted yet and is a different situation than pluto data but I thought I would post it here anyway.

Be aware of emails being sent out from Paypal telling you to click on the link given or your Paypal account will close or expire. This is not a legit Paypal Admin email. Delete it immediately.

Anyone who uses Pay Pal should know that any email officially from Pay Pal starts off addressing them by their REAL NAME as they registered it with Pay Pal...If anyone with a Pay Pal account receives a email that says from Pay Pal but DOES NOT address them by their real name should immediately know it's NOT from Pay Pal and is Bogus.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13073908 Sat, 02 Apr 2005 20:48:55 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13072841 anon : I am not sure if this has been posted yet and is a different situation than pluto data but I thought I would post it here anyway.

Be aware of emails being sent out from Paypal telling you to click on the link given or your Paypal account will close or expire. This is not a legit Paypal Admin email. Delete it immediately. There are also some going around from Regions Bank that says something similar. I am not even a Regions Bank customer. I am on the same boat as the rest of you and would love to strangle the people behind this stuff. The best way to get back at these people sending the emails is to delete them ASAP.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13072841 Sat, 02 Apr 2005 18:01:20 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13068759 anon : Disregard that last post. I just re-read my statement and it would seem I was a little gunshy. It appears VISA was just getting around to reversing the earlier charge. I saw the name and totally missed it being a credit rather than a charge..... Show me gunshy about my cards now.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13068759 Sat, 02 Apr 2005 02:53:23 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13068702 anon : Okay,

Now I'm really mad. I cancelled all my cards, got new ones issued. I didn't use the new card on-line, or access my account on-line and yet I now find a new charge that just showed up on 1 April, transaction date 22 march for Pluto D $29.99 I only used the card once, and that was on 21 March at my local Best Buy. How could VISA allow this to happen? Luckily, they're open tomorrow, and I'm heading down there to tell them what I think.....]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13068702 Sat, 02 Apr 2005 02:36:12 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13067900 overwelmed : Keep in mind some card holders cannot get their money back from this charge because the amount isn't large enough. My Visa card will not refund any disputes under $50. I wonder if Pluto D counted on that. I got the charge last Feb. on my debit card and just finally got my money back from my bank a few weeks ago. I've switched banks but supposedly my old bank is still investigating it and could come back at me for the $29.99. This ordeal was mostly just a HUGE hassle in dealing with Bank of the West. When I first reported it they ignored it and didn't even cancel the card. After two weeks I went in to the branch to question the progress only to find out nothing was ever reported. I was then reprimanded for irresponsible use of my card and treated like I was the one that was stealing. After proving to the all-knowing teller that it was obviously fraud, she let me sign an afidavidt. I'm very curious to find out who this Pluto Data is, they shed some light on how Bank of the West treats their customers.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13067900 Fri, 01 Apr 2005 23:57:18 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13061773 Bink63 :

Call your bank back, or better yet, go into a branch and insist on doing a chargeback!

If the bank gives you a hassle, post back and we can give you some more options on how to proceed at that point.

;)

Regards,

Randy
--
Just my .02alt0162 worth!
Legacy Consulting ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13061773 Fri, 01 Apr 2005 11:30:42 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13061505 anon : Got ripped off too. Saw a charge of $29.99 on my Visa. Called the 800 number and would only get a busy signal. This sucks! Called my bank, and though they can't remove the charge, they cancelled my card and issued a new one. These Pluto people need to go down hard!!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13061505 Fri, 01 Apr 2005 11:00:24 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13057614 algorithm :

said by Upset:

I was charged 39.99 then refunded 29.99 - where's the other $10.00? I can't get thru to the toll free number! This is ridiculous!

You should be disputing the entire charge through your own bank and not trying to deal with the people who are trying to steal from you (or their supposed innocent agent).

Your bank will charge the item back to the first bank in the transaction (the one Pluto used) and demand proof that the charge is valid. If Pluto fails to provide proof (and they will since all these charges are fraudulent) you won't hear any more about it.

The junior g-man method of going after them yourself is unnecessary, time consuming and ultimately frustrating.

Let your bank handle it; and if they won't, contact your state banking regulator and then get a new bank.
--
"Those who can not remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana - 1905]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13057614 Thu, 31 Mar 2005 21:38:33 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13057468 anon : found another article:

»209.157.64.200/focus/f-news/1373159/posts ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13057468 Thu, 31 Mar 2005 21:24:10 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13057210 holmantp : It seems the local paper is starting to become aware that this is going on.
»www.avpress.com/n/31/0331_s3.hts

Was front page today, even if below the fold.
--
Tim]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13057210 Thu, 31 Mar 2005 20:57:25 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13051842 hbreg :

said by JoshNJ

said by madashll:

um josh that one little 30 dollar fee as u put it cost me 140 dollars in overdraft fees

How could a single $30 charge cause you to have $140 in overdraft charges? That doesn't sound right.

Josh depending on when the charges hit the account and what order they hit it is possible they all bounced and incurred the charges. So when the first overdraft charge hits the account is now off another $35 or so on top of the $30 Pluto charge. It snowballs from there.
--
I try to keep an open mind, but not so open that my brains fall out. -- Judge Harold T. Stone]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13051842 Thu, 31 Mar 2005 10:14:24 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13051365 anon : I was charged 39.99 then refunded 29.99 - where's the other $10.00? I can't get thru to the toll free number! This is ridiculous!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13051365 Thu, 31 Mar 2005 08:54:45 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13047776 markww : I also have notified the FBI AND US SECRET SERVICE. I have some information for you to look at concerning your computer too. I live in Houston, and was also hit for Skype.net and Pluto. Short of it is I think it is about the 1.5 million accounts that were compromised from BOA. As to your computer if you use windows,xp or ME, look in the icon double click the icon that says My Network Connections. SEE if there is a unknown folder in it with a globe that may be from a college like collins.est.ed. Or one that is in there bseides your network connections. About the same time the scam was going on with Skype and Pluto I had a college Collins.est.edu located in Denmark trying to break into my pots, on my cmputer. This was happening on my firewall program,and they were tryingto add files to my connections so i beleive this may have been a way they could open a internet connection to the outside world.I would also run Spybot search and destory or adaware and see if you have any Keylogger programs in your system,and or look in the logs if you already have that and see if they show any information. I helped a lady get 80 dollars back from a coledge that was calling computers all over america.

I run A new firewall program too which is free and works.Its Called sygate.

I am awaiting for the FBI and Secret Service to call me back so I can give them the new info as to the college trying to break into my system.

SO far Denmark and Cypress is in the lost of things. Pluto D Nicosia is also the city name in cypress called NICOSIA CYPRESS Alqueda is based there too,This could have been a terror attack on the infrastructure. Will do what I can to help nail these people. ALSO INTERPOL ARRESTED 35 hackers 1 to 2 weeks ago trying to break into the BANK OF LONDON and put key logging rpograms into their computer systems so they could break into every transaction and acvcount. These could be some of the same people too
Mark]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13047776 Wed, 30 Mar 2005 20:33:33 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13046498 markww : ALSO FOLKS anyone get hit 4 times last month or so in their accounts for SKYPE.NET Located in London England. Interpol busted a group of hackers there could be how they used the internet to make telephone calls to banks through the internet,from Cypress and or from a school named collins.est.edu

Mark]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13046498 Wed, 30 Mar 2005 18:09:24 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13046460 markww : See is anyone has a folder in their my network connections from a unknown school or university.Pluto D Nicosia took out funds from Me through Bank of America in Phoenix Az and purchased in Phoenix ukn Cd-s I got my refund.

BOA has their credit card processing system in Phoeniz too. Bank of America accounts were compromised 2 months ago as well as choicepoint.

Interpol busted a group of hackers trying to put in key logging software in the Bank Of England. Search your logs in Adaware / Spybot and others to see if you had a key logger install a file in your MY NETWORK CONNECTIONS. Also add this info, anyone have anything from Collins.est.edu in their systems.

There is a computer lab system located in Cypress in Nicosia Cypress.
Mark]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13046460 Wed, 30 Mar 2005 18:05:49 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13046206 JoshNJ :

said by madashll:

um josh that one little 30 dollar fee as u put it cost me 140 dollars in overdraft fees

How could a single $30 charge cause you to have $140 in overdraft charges? That doesn't sound right.
--
I support the RIAA]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13046206 Wed, 30 Mar 2005 17:43:00 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13042713 SOLdesign :

said by madashll:

um josh that one little 30 dollar fee as u put it cost me 140 dollars in overdraft fees because it put my checking balance off so just becasue they only took 30 dollars doesnt mean that is all you are out.

demand the bank refund the money. its your right, the charge was not valid. you might want to get overdraft protection
--
-Why don't you just Xanadu yourself right into the police car sir? Well, why don't you just Xanadont! - Reno 911]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13042713 Wed, 30 Mar 2005 10:39:19 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13041618 Kip patterson : Well, there are two ways of dealing with adverse news. The first is Answerquick's, which is to hide your head in the sand and turn it over to your attorneys. Unfortunately, this leaves your butt sticking up in the air. They remind me of the airlines, who early on dealt with crashes by hiring a local farmer to go out and whitewash over the airline's name.

For comparison, see Wnedy's handing of the recent incident in which a human thumb was found in their chili. They acknowledged it and dealt with it. Far more professional, and far better for their image.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13041618 Wed, 30 Mar 2005 07:31:21 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13041313 anon : um josh that one little 30 dollar fee as u put it cost me 140 dollars in overdraft fees because it put my checking balance off so just becasue they only took 30 dollars doesnt mean that is all you are out.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13041313 Wed, 30 Mar 2005 04:48:44 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13039415 anon : ok get this people i went to answer quicks website and i cant stop laughing listen to this it is a direct quote from their website: Answer Quick has a proven track record of steady growth by providing long term solutions for its customers both large and small. Lmfao what long term solutions poverty. part of their industires include law enforcement agencies..... really i wonder how they would feel to know that this company is part of a scam to steal people's money. i mean come on these people have got to be joking because it is laughable. i mean who did they get to write this terrific load of tripe. im sorry has to be the same people that tell us what the government is doing lately that is the only people i know of that are experts at writing crap and making it smell like daisies. i still cant quit laughing]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13039415 Tue, 29 Mar 2005 23:17:38 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13039209 anon : if your boss isnt guilty why wouldnt he call me back. i left a message with your general manager a week ago still no word from the notorious Jerry Long of Answer Quick. I want answers that only your boss can give us if he isnt involved with this scam then he should give us the information about pluto data and let us decide what to do with it. use your brain employee God gave it to you for a reason if he wasnt guilty he would get on this thread and post all the info about pluto data. Im sorry but if i was head of your company and found out that one of the companies i work for is a scam and people are getting their money stolen i would do everything in my power to make sure all info i had on the company was out in the open i would put it on the net and on tv and on the radio what are they going to do about it. think about it is pluto data really going to come out of hiding to sue your company for leaking private info i think not. we all want to know and im finding it rather odd that your boss wont tell anyone who these people are and how to contact them. but then again that is only one persons opinion on the subject. maybe you should ask the rest of these hard working people if they agree because im pretty confident that they all do.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13039209 Tue, 29 Mar 2005 22:56:42 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13038971 anon : yes i can see where you would think that however the simple fact of the matter is simply this compare your visa card number with that of friends visa cards at least the first 8 to 12 numbers are exactly the same so think about it if you wanted to make a lot of money quickly which is exactly how these kind of people think all you would have to do is guess at the last 4 to 8 numbers and with so many credit cards in this country it wouldnt be hard to figure out that just about every sequence of numbers will work. So i still see a problem with your theory. It doesnt make any sense these people want to get rich quick(excuse the cliche).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13038971 Tue, 29 Mar 2005 22:31:48 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13033657 Bink63 :

said by internetkruizer

:

.........Curious about this,Could a Bar Code Scanner in say a Central Post Office scan these numbers thur the envelope?????????????????????

No, not without extensive, noticeable modifications.

Something like that would have to have taken place at the factory.

Considering the 2 biggest manufacturers of postal mail sorters are government defense contractors, the chances of that happening range between slim and none!

Regards,

Randy
--
Just my .02alt0162 worth!
Legacy Consulting ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13033657 Tue, 29 Mar 2005 12:41:21 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13033361 anonemouse1 : I was interviewed my ABC WQAD in the Quad Cities, IL/IA Channel 8 several days ago...they ran the piece on the 6 o'clock news but it never made it to the web page...I was hoping it would for more people to see/notice, but I did what I wanted to do - get the word out to check your statements.

No other problems/charges here yet...I keep watching!

Michele]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13033361 Tue, 29 Mar 2005 12:07:06 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13032169 anon : mine is a debit card, yes i use paypal and amazon and have just started using itunes..any connection there? hmmmm]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13032169 Tue, 29 Mar 2005 08:45:27 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13031992 internetkruizer : .........Curious about this,Could a Bar Code Scanner in say a Central Post Office scan these numbers thur the envelope?????????????????????
--
Welcome to »www.shineintl.org/ and »www.blacklion.us]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13031992 Tue, 29 Mar 2005 07:54:34 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13030269 ZOverLord :

said by madashll:

yes but here is the problem with your theory. first off some banks do not require those three numbers on the back for a transaction to take place. secondly i have had my card for ten years do you honestly believe these "inside" people compiled those numbers for ten years and more and if they did why didnt they freeze some of the checking accounts and take the lot of it. just some questions from your statements. believe me i want these people caught just as much as u do. because of these people i dont have enough money to pay bills this month. luckily i live in a small town and the companies understand this happens. just thought u might want to know that some of these cards are older than some of our kids and that it is not likely to be an inside job however it is still possible

I think you completely missed my point, the AGE of your card has little to do with an INSIDE job.

Very Many Banks, no common source, some people claim that the CVV on the back of their card was included in the transaction.

This is WHY I believe it was an inside job at the card ISSUERS. Think of 911 there were many planes and airports involved, when it happened, it happened all at once.

If it was an Inside Job at Visa and Master Card, well, all the parties involved only needed to hold onto their data until the right moment and then and only then, start creating fraudulent transactions.

After all, these people knew that the fraudulent Merchant account would be shut down quickly ("Not Quickly enough").

Timing is everything in these frauds, you collect information, when you feel you have enough, you go for it.

I can tell you many past situations, where this is SOP ("Standard Operating Procedure"). ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13030269 Mon, 28 Mar 2005 23:51:41 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13030214 anon : It hit me March 1st, and the charge was alongside an expensive international call which i made while in Europe.
I wouldn't have noticed it, but thank goodness i had two us dollar charges which were absurd and converted at different rates.
My bank is on top of it now as well.
I will join the fight against this Pluto Data organization, but the reality of it scares me. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13030214 Mon, 28 Mar 2005 23:43:12 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13027826 anon : yes but here is the problem with your theory. first off some banks do not require those three numbers on the back for a transaction to take place. secondly i have had my card for ten years do you honestly believe these "inside" people compiled those numbers for ten years and more and if they did why didnt they freeze some of the checking accounts and take the lot of it. just some questions from your statements. believe me i want these people caught just as much as u do. because of these people i dont have enough money to pay bills this month. luckily i live in a small town and the companies understand this happens. just thought u might want to know that some of these cards are older than some of our kids and that it is not likely to be an inside job however it is still possible]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13027826 Mon, 28 Mar 2005 18:54:34 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13024079 anon : My citibank card has two charges in Feb. 2/14 (39.99) and 2/17 (19.99). Card cancelled, fraud dept. notified.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13024079 Mon, 28 Mar 2005 11:06:20 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13023436 anon : i will tell ya what the bigger banks do they lose your dispute claim form and take the longest time ever to give u your money back well at least navy federal c.u. does anyways]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13023436 Mon, 28 Mar 2005 08:58:35 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13020351 anon : oops not the same thing....]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13020351 Sun, 27 Mar 2005 20:01:06 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13020338 anon : first time for discover card???]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13020338 Sun, 27 Mar 2005 19:59:18 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13019825 Bethums : I just received my March MasterCard statement and there was the $29.99 charge. Just so happens that this is the card I use for my ebay/PayPal purchases. I was alerted to possible unauthorized activity when DiscoverCard said someone was trying to charge $1000 to that card. Two accounts compromised and two cards cancelled. Also, DiscoverCard placed a fraud alert on my credit and I have received letters from all 3 credit reporting companies stating that there is a 90 watch on all my accounts.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13019825 Sun, 27 Mar 2005 18:38:00 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13018483 anon : Guess what people. You're not the only ones. My CITI credit card got hit for $19.99 and printed the number 18883238955 in the billing detail as a contact number for them. The only problem is, when you call that number you only get a fast busy signal.....this entity and those behind it...look like they should be shut down! Good luck to all affected.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13018483 Sun, 27 Mar 2005 14:47:48 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13018206 catseyenu : Sounds like BOA is trying to pass the buck onto unsuspecting customers...
Makes me suspect they are in trouble financially or trying to limit pending large losses.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13018206 Sun, 27 Mar 2005 14:10:46 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13017704 anon : My card was issued by Fleet, but now after merge it's BofA's card. I called BofA twice yesterday, and the second time the representative also said that I should contact merchandiser first. But after I asked her to look at the MSNBC article (gave her URL), she immediately said that my card will be cancelled and a new one will be sent in 10 business days.
BTW I never used this card for online or any other kind of purchases, only used it for balance transfer at the time it was issued which was almost a year ago.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13017704 Sun, 27 Mar 2005 13:01:17 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13016109 AdelphiaKill : OHUYET, what bank issued the card? It's standard practice for them to say that you need to contact the merchant that posted the charge but seriously folks, they really should know about Pluto Data by now. My BOA removed the charge after my second call to them (after trying to contact Pluto Data) and sent me an affidavit form to fill out and either fax or mail. I filled it out and tried to fax it but it was busy every time I called so I mailed it. This Friday I received another affidavit from BOA stating that they had not received the first one and that they were going to reapply the Pluto Data charges April 8th. I filled out the second form and faxed it back to them along with a print out of a Google Search of "Pluto Data". Are there any actual humans working at these banks or just robots and computers? There definitely needs to be some kind of "clearinghouse" for the consumer to report these frauds and to get immediate action to be taken. The banks do not seem to care.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13016109 Sun, 27 Mar 2005 07:49:59 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13014748 anon : I received bank statement today for the card which I only used once for balance transfer (almost a year ago when received this card), and guess what - I found $29.99 charge from PLUTO D NICOSIA CY! I called the bank to report fraudulent charge and they say that I should first contact the merchandiser! ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13014748 Sat, 26 Mar 2005 23:45:04 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13012137 anon : Just for the record, I live in Ukiah, CA and I as well just today received a "PLUT:o" charge for $29.95 from March 15, 2005 on my cc statement:huh:. I closed off that cc and reordered- what everyone should do first- and will make the necessary reports suggested throughout some of these threads. KEEP CHARGING!!;)
Koko]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13012137 Sat, 26 Mar 2005 17:13:25 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13004343 sitsinwest : I find your post interesting. Sometime over a year ago my bank (B of A) issued to me a new CC account in place of my existing one. There was no explanation, I didn't request it, and my old card had yet to expire. It is most likely a coincidence but it is interesting all the same.
--
My Home Page

Behold the superfluous. They are always sick. They vomit their gall and call it a newspaper. Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche 1844-1900]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13004343 Fri, 25 Mar 2005 16:42:08 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13003765 anon : well.....another victim (for a moment anyway) i noticed the same charge- today. mine was only for $19.99. I immediately call the number on the charge (888-323-8955) and it rang quick busy. I called 3 times. Maybe this one is fizzling out and they'll be starting a new one (possibly the fun & sun mentioned?)Then I called my cc company. They started the dispute process, I read them some of these postings, which they then placed my account in lost/stolen status with an immediate reverse of the charges. It is now in their hands. I don't know what the larger credit card companies are like to work with, ours is smaller bank and they were quick and understanding and the entire phone call took less than 15 minutes. I watch all my cards closely. having them paid off monthly helps.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13003765 Fri, 25 Mar 2005 15:30:10 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13001419 lotusracer : They just did a story on the local news here too.

If everybody visited dslreports.com, just think how much smarter the world would be! :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13001419 Fri, 25 Mar 2005 10:30:22 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12998091 funchords : I just reviewed the entries in Google News -- looks like most of the reports is a rebranded copy of the same report.

I don't care -- as long as word is getting out, I'm happy!
--
Robb Topolski
http://www.funchords.com/
Hillsboro, Oregon USA]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12998091 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 22:18:29 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12997079 SandyBee :

quote:
Current List Of News Articles On This Scam

Sneaky New Credit Card Scam Uncovered

WFIE-TV - Mar 24 4:48 AM

Your credit card statement may have dozens of charges on it, for things like gas and groceries, so you might not even notice one for $29.99 from a company called Pluto Data with a toll free number.

�www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=3118..

Credit card warning: Strange charges showing up all over country

WKYC 3 - Mar 23 7:24 PM

CLEVELAND -- A warning tonight for anyone who has a credit card: some strange charges are showing up on bills across the country. Police say it’s a charge, usually $29.99 or $39.99, from a company called “Pluto Data.” There are hundreds of victims in virtually every state.

�www.wkyc.com/news/news_fullstory.asp?i..

Contact 16: Pluto Data scam under investigation

WNDU 16 - Mar 23 9:36 AM

The next time you get your credit card statement, you may want to take a close look at the charges. People all over the country are seeing something strange on theirs. It's a charge from a company they have never heard of.

�www.wndu.com/news/contact16/032005/con..

Pluto D Nicosa

Broadband Reports - Mar 22 4:58 PM

drags on .. and on .... Incredibly, despite over 55,000 unique viewers (the vast majority anonymous coming from a google search from the company name) the Pluto D Nicosa charge saga continues, with people finding charges as recently as last week, and even double-hits: findi..

�Pluto D Nicosia / Pluto Data

Beware of New Credit Card Scam By First Coast News Staff

First Coast News - Mar 23 3:40 PM

You may want to take a close look at your credit card statements. People all over the country are seeing something strange on theirs. It's a charge from a company they have never heard of. Authorities are starting to investigate, but the only way to protect yourself is to pay attention.

�www.firstcoastnews.com/money/news-arti..

Credit card scam hits area

Coeur d'Alene Press - Mar 14 8:31 AM

POST FALLS -- Rhonda Carlisle was checking her bank account online when she found out she'd been zapped. There was a charge of $29.99 on her debit card by "Pluto D." But the Post Falls woman hadn't made any purchases recently with the card.

Feds Probe Mysterious Credit Card Charges

MSNBC - Mar 10 3:19 PM

Federal authorities have opened an investigation into a rash of mysterious $30 and $40 charges appearing on consumer credit cards around the country, MSNBC.com has learned.

�www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7150531/

That's excellent! Thanks for posting that, with all these posts, it's hard to remember exactly how many stories were aired.

I'm still waiting on the reporter from ABC, maybe after the Holiday she'll contact me. I will post it if she does the story, along with a link if possible.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12997079 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 20:26:09 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12996592 ZOverLord : Current List Of News Articles On This Scam

Sneaky New Credit Card Scam Uncovered

WFIE-TV - Mar 24 4:48 AM

Your credit card statement may have dozens of charges on it, for things like gas and groceries, so you might not even notice one for $29.99 from a company called Pluto Data with a toll free number.

»www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?···3w6oXrAD

Credit card warning: Strange charges showing up all over country

WKYC 3 - Mar 23 7:24 PM

CLEVELAND -- A warning tonight for anyone who has a credit card: some strange charges are showing up on bills across the country. Police say it’s a charge, usually $29.99 or $39.99, from a company called “Pluto Data.” There are hundreds of victims in virtually every state.

»www.wkyc.com/news/news_fullstory···id=32231

Contact 16: Pluto Data scam under investigation

WNDU 16 - Mar 23 9:36 AM

The next time you get your credit card statement, you may want to take a close look at the charges. People all over the country are seeing something strange on theirs. It's a charge from a company they have never heard of.

»www.wndu.com/news/contact16/0320···1097.php

Pluto D Nicosa

Broadband Reports - Mar 22 4:58 PM

drags on .. and on .... Incredibly, despite over 55,000 unique viewers (the vast majority anonymous coming from a google search from the company name) the Pluto D Nicosa charge saga continues, with people finding charges as recently as last week, and even double-hits: findi..

»Pluto D Nicosia / Pluto Data

Beware of New Credit Card Scam By First Coast News Staff

First Coast News - Mar 23 3:40 PM

You may want to take a close look at your credit card statements. People all over the country are seeing something strange on theirs. It's a charge from a company they have never heard of. Authorities are starting to investigate, but the only way to protect yourself is to pay attention.

»www.firstcoastnews.com/money/new···id=34431

Credit card scam hits area

Coeur d'Alene Press - Mar 14 8:31 AM

POST FALLS -- Rhonda Carlisle was checking her bank account online when she found out she'd been zapped. There was a charge of $29.99 on her debit card by "Pluto D." But the Post Falls woman hadn't made any purchases recently with the card.

Feds Probe Mysterious Credit Card Charges

MSNBC - Mar 10 3:19 PM

Federal authorities have opened an investigation into a rash of mysterious $30 and $40 charges appearing on consumer credit cards around the country, MSNBC.com has learned.

»www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7150531/

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12996592 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 19:31:17 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12996387 Kip patterson : Well, not exactly. They are the billing arm of a number of porno sites, according to their web site. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12996387 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 19:07:08 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12996317 GirlofSummer : »maxxpay.nl/contact.php

Another foreign account. My bank told me they are an inbound telephone marketer. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12996317 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 18:59:55 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12996191 GirlofSummer : Another charge came through before I had a chance to close the card.

$32.40 from Max Pay.com I can't find anything for that website. They said it was another online charge.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12996191 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 18:44:01 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994869 ZOverLord : I can't AGREE more, this is why it is so important to provide the links I have, for your personal protection as well as making sure that the political side does not write this particular fraud off.

Sadly, if people here do not realize that a Bank or card Issuer cares little that Your credit report scores have been lowered because of this, or that Everyone involved in this should also contact their local Secret Service field office, the Media will not support this group.

Actually, victims of this fraud have a Golden opportunity to keep this fight alive.

Most likely, the data already in the WILD will be sold and re-sold for some time. If that data contains other information, such as "Mothers Maiden Name" SSI # information, and these card numbers are re-sold and SPLIT into smaller bundles, it maybe a complete mess.

Think of a large Diamond being stolen, once it is split into smaller diamonds, it becomes much harder to deal with.

Things could cool down for 6 months, and all the sudden the data is used again, maybe this time to apply for credit cards with $50,000.00 limits.

Nobody knows at this stage, how much data is in the WILD for each person involved in this, and it is that question which may or may not become the most damaging after effect yet to come.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994869 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 16:17:50 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994705 therealshari : Z, I read the article with great interest.

One thing that keeps coming to mind, while they captured the alleged crooks... the data is still in circulation.

Over the last several hours, I've come across some pretty scary sites that offer exactly this kind of data. If I, as an honest person, with reasonable "Internet search skills", can easily find this stuff, how much more can someone with ulterior motives find?

I received a note back from Andrew Cochran, who runs an anti-terror blog that mentioned the Washington Post article I referenced. When and if, we can provide any ties to the big "T" word, he'll work with us to let folks know about in his blog.

Several names of officials keep surfacing in all the investigations. The one we may have the best shot with is Larry Johnson, US Secret Service. He recently testified before a senate committee in regards to cyber-crime. He may well be "all over it" by now, regarding our case, but I'm sure some extra attention from us would be beneficial.

Here is a link to the regional locations of the Electronic Crimes Task Force... part of the Secret Service

»www.ectaskforce.org/Regional_Locations.htm

Also, here's a link recently created for consumer's to take the proper steps.

»www.fraudaid.com/How-To-Deal-Wit···vice.htm

Let's keep the pressure on.
Shari Thomas
www.whois-sharithomas.com]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994705 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 16:01:37 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994672 kasperkpc7 : that is why you get paid the big bucks!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994672 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 15:57:08 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994599 ZOverLord :

said by kasperkpc7

:

...if they have the ability to change the amount, and they aren't preset amounts.

Trust me ;-), nothing about these SCAMS is preset. Please do not forget that there will always be people willing to share procedure as well, so your suggestion would not remain secret, it would be in the public domain, just as quickly as a card number can be.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994599 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 15:48:37 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994571 kasperkpc7 : ...if they have the ability to change the amount, and they aren't preset amounts.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994571 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 15:45:35 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994536 ZOverLord :

said by kasperkpc7

:

So it's better to not try? Don't assume the scammer(s) would know they're being scrutinized, don't decline all transfers ending with .99, just flag them.

Again, how many Milliseconds would go by before this became public knowledge and none of these fraudulent transactions would use .99?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994536 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 15:42:03 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994529 kasperkpc7 : That would also reveal how quickly the scammer(s) can react.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994529 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 15:41:08 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994506 kasperkpc7 : So it's better to not try? Don't assume the scammer(s) would know they're being scrutinized, don't decline all transfers ending with .99, just flag them.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994506 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 15:39:13 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994460 ZOverLord :

said by kasperkpc7

:

I still say the banks and/or card (VISA/MC) processing companies should put extra scrutiny into charges that end with .99 since that's what these charges have all ended with, a common link, especially charges for 19.99, 29.99, and 39.99. Unless they want to keep losing money and customers trust...

Over the last 4 months I have only had four charges ending in .99 because of tax, the four charges that did end with .99 were:
A) because of a tip I left at a restaurant
B) charges that didn't require tax (ie...labor)
C) chance.

How many Milliseconds do you think would go by before the charges were changed to end with .98, .95 or some other value?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994460 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 15:33:52 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994374 kasperkpc7 : I still say the banks and/or card (VISA/MC) processing companies should put extra scrutiny into charges that end with .99 since that's what these charges have all ended with, a common link, especially charges for 19.99, 29.99, and 39.99. Unless they want to keep losing money and customers trust...

Over the last 4 months I have only had four charges ending in .99 because of tax, the four charges that did end with .99 were:
A) because of a tip I left at a restaurant
B) charges that didn't require tax (ie...labor)
C) chance.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994374 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 15:26:00 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994305 ZOverLord : Here is a SMALL portion of the Article that I gave a Link too in my prior post.

From: »www.baselinemag.com/article2/0,1···0,00.asp

QUOTE

Shadowcrew: Web Mobs
Shadowcrew: Web Mobs (continued)
Geekfather, or College Student? contd

Once a vendor came into possession of stolen goods such as credit card numbers or identity papers, the merchandise had to be vetted by a reviewer.

If the goods were in electronic formats, the vendor could just send the product in a file to an inspector such as Monchamp or Palacio. If the goods were actual plastic cards or paper documents, they had to be moved along through drop boxes at retail outlets such as a UPS or Kinko's store.

Naturally, mailboxes were rented out to individuals using false names, according to the complaint. Crew members also changed the location of drop boxes regularly to avoid detection.

Once in a reviewer's hands, the goods were scrutinized thoroughly. One procedure was the "dump check," in which reviewers would hack into a retailer's cash register system. Frazzini, the former Secret Service agent, says hackers can enter through back doors used by technical support personnel to maintain or repair the system remotely.

Once in, the reviewer could test a group of cards by entering nominal amounts, a dollar or two, against a few of the accounts to see if the charges were approved or declined. If the charges were accepted, says Christie, the reviewer would know that the "dump" of numbers was good.

The reviewer would then write up and post detailed descriptions of the merchandise. For a driver's license or bank card, the quality of the photos, the hologram, the printing of names and numbers, the color scheme and the card thickness would be described, almost like a used book on Amazon might be described by its seller.

The comments might be: "'This is the best I've ever seen' or 'This is a really good driver's license for people who are not looking too closely,'" Christie says. "That level of detail."

Once certified by a reviewer, goods would be put up for sale. Transactions usually involved just a handful of numbers at a time. But, on occasion, illicit goods got shipped in bulk.

In May 2004, one Shadowcrew member moved 110,000 stolen credit card numbers, according to the indictment. And the value of each bank customer's credit card number? Not much. Special Agent Johnson says credit cards with $10,000 limits could sell for anywhere from $1 to $10 or more.

Personal information is just as easily and cheaply trafficked. On Sept. 27, 2004, Mantovani allegedly "transferred" approximately 18 million e-mail addresses along with associated user names, passwords, dates of birth and other personal information.

The selling price of each e-mail address and related information might be a few cents each, according to Mark Rasch, a senior vice president of security consultancy Solutionary and a former attorney in the Department of Justice's Export/Espionage and Fraud sectors.

Credit cards, e-mails and other items were posted with prices on the Shadowcrew Web site. But vendors also had the option to sell their wares through an auction forum that worked "much like eBay," according to Christie.

Listings, such as "three counterfeit Arizona driver's licenses" or "1,000 stolen Visa credit card numbers," were posted to the forum, he says. The auction would open and a time would be given for when the last bid would be taken. Potential buyers came to the auction forum and progressively bid until that auction closed, with the item going to the highest bidder.

Once a "buy" went down, according to court documents, a member would send payment using Western Union money transfers or electronic currency, such as e-Gold, to the seller. And, of course, the member might as well use a stolen card number to pay for the transfer, Christie points out. At e-Gold, they could even purchase gold bullion and transfer the bullion to other e-Gold account holders.

The goal was to avoid holding on to cash. "You don't want to keep a lot of it around," Frazzini says, because U.S. banks keep detailed records.

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994305 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 15:16:27 EDT Re: Pluto Data - So Little Coverage http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994192 anon : I e-mailed Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc last night. Some official connection to NBC encouraging them to let all the affiliates of NBC to share the Pluto Data story. Slowly but surely it is the NBC stations that seem to be broadcasting it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994192 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 15:00:29 EDT Pluto Data - So Little Coverage http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994153 Innoma : With all these messages, I'm surprised this hasn't received very much in the way news coverage.

Since I help put together a community newspaper with a local readership of about 12,000, I think I'll arrange a full-page article on subject which should go to press tomorrow.

People should know about this.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994153 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 14:54:12 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994042 ZOverLord :

said by Katbug:

I have a hard time following all the tech talk, so will leave it to you guys, lol. I just wanted to jump in and say that there was no small amount on my account before or after the $29.99 charge on the 15th. Also, don't know how much my bank knows, but they also suggested that it was someone using random #s.

Only a certain percentage would need to be PINGED with a small charge to be able to increase the value of the numbers being sold. It is a method used to add value to the price people are willing to pay to buy your number.

In most cases, numbers are sold hundreds and on some cases thousands at a time in bundles that are auctioned to the highest bidder.

Most customer service people have no clue about this type of fraud, and will say what the PR people in the bank tell them to say over the phone. So it does not surprise me that one banks customer service says one thing and another says something else.

Again if you want to see an example of a prior case please click on the link below ("make sure you click NEXT on each page to read the entire article"):

»www.baselinemag.com/article2/0,1···3,00.asp

For my post with ALL the other links in how to protect yourself after this has happened, please click on the link below.

»Pluto Data Credit Card Charge

Don]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12994042 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 14:41:17 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12993912 anon : I have a hard time following all the tech talk, so will leave it to you guys, lol. I just wanted to jump in and say that there was no small amount on my account before or after the $29.99 charge on the 15th. Also, don't know how much my bank knows, but they also suggested that it was someone using random #s. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12993912 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 14:25:01 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12993808 DyerUser : More and more local TV stations picking this up.

Check out: »news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=u···coring=d]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12993808 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 14:12:15 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12993624 treetop1000 : Possible new scam following this one.
Saw this over at ComputerCops webpage:
»castlecops.com/article-5836-nested-0-0.html
Tell me if I'm wrong, but is this a new trend?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12993624 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 13:46:23 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12993410 GirlofSummer : I was originally hit with the pluto charge. It came on 3/1. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12993410 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 13:17:45 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12993190 Kip patterson : Refresh my memory (it would be a big help if you would register on this site, please, so that we can look up your earlier posts) - Were you hit with a Puto Charge to start with?

Thanks,

Kip]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12993190 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 12:46:15 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12992975 anon : You do not need a valid address to bill a card. The charges that came through from register.com for me did not have my valid address, yet it still was authorized on my account. I have called my bank twice and they say both times that the charges came through on the new card. Without working at the bank I have to believe them.

I'm going to call Register.com today to try to get the information that was used to register for the website. I feel as a consumer they should have to give that to me. I mean they did have my card # and all. What I'm finding through all this is we as consumers have very little protection and rights when it comes to this. I had the charges holding up $175 in my checking account for 3 days. Even though I told the bank they were fraud they still could not release the funds because of the agreement they have with mastercard.

Whats wrong there?

To everyone else...I'm a girl. :) SHE not HE]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12992975 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 12:12:15 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12992694 Kip patterson : Thanks for the info.

By the way, that's how banks get their butts in a sling. Mastercard requires a credit report from almost everyone, including public companies under a certain size well into the millions.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12992694 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 11:37:58 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12992681 Kip patterson : Agreed, that's why I said "think". And my remark didn't address the possibility that these same accounts may be sold to other scammers.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12992681 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 11:36:21 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12992421 AkumalDave :

said by Kip patterson

:

I think it is over. There are very few new visitors to this thread, and the latest transaction posting date I have seen is March 15th.

I don't believe we'll be able to say that with any certainty until a billing cycle (or two) passes without new charges. People who have already been hit might be monitoring their accounts with more frequency than the average Joe. There may be new victims out there that haven't received their statements yet.

Dave
--
"...enjoy every sandwich..." Warren Zevon 1947-2003]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12992421 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 11:01:20 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12992361 jimkyle :

said by Kip patterson

:

2) So far as I know, you must have name and expiration date to bill. Under some circumstances you also need billing address, but I am unaware of the details.

I have a merchant account that's connected automagically to my business bank account, and use an ETC-ARU interface to post billings to it. The only information the ARU asks for is my merchant number, the card number, expiration date, and amount. Neither cardholder name nor address are required.

Not all merchant accounts may be so simplified, but at least mine is. Also unusual is that I did not have to provide any sort of business license or credit report to open the account, just my own statement of business history. Of course the fact that I've had personal accounts at the same bank for some 20-plus years might have something to do with that...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12992361 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 10:52:44 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12992058 anon : You stepped over the line when you inferred that people who use their cards for inet purchases have nefarious reasons for doing so... ie... porn?

In that one paragraph, you went from providing information that may be helpful, to being a condescending, uninformated, immature college puke.

Why did you have to go there... emulation? What people purchase should have nothing to do with whether or not they are robbed blind! Get real.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12992058 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 10:11:10 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12991959 Kip patterson : I would expect that the credit card companies are now reversing the charges. Two reasons for them to do this - first, goodwill, and second, financial. If they reverse the charges, the card holder is less apt to call the bank, and those calls cost money. Moreover, when fraudulent charges are reversed, the originating bank is penalized and that is a significant cash flow item for the card companies. I was given an estimate of $80 to 100 million per year.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12991959 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 09:57:47 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12991831 nmatthews : I am in the same boat as everyone but my situation has a slight twist I had a charge for 19.99 from Pluto D and then the charge was credited back just recently. I called and cancelled my card just in case but, I have no idea how they got a hold of my acct number. I also have purchased things off of E Bay and have a Paypal acct, I am wondering if this is the common link?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12991831 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 09:39:23 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12991617 Kip patterson : This may be a possibility, but let's not forget that Pluto was able to get two european banks in major countries to give them merchant accounts. My guess is that Pluto is going to turn out to be pretty ordinay folk.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12991617 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 09:08:15 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12991573 funchords :

said by therealshari

:

It was with the last that I came across a most interesting trail... culminating with this link that may help us all.

»www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar···c13.html

It's about that Bali Bomber dude who's written his memoirs while he's cooling his heels on death row in Indonesia. There may, or may not be a connection.

Wow, Shari, awesome - awesome find!

This guy is probably kicking himself that he bombed that nightclub and spoiled all his fun.

If you want more fun, google for the Indonesian department of justice / prosecutor / and etcetera. Indonesia is a church state where I would expect little cooperation with our law-enforcement system.
--
Robb Topolski
http://www.funchords.com/
Hillsboro, Oregon USA]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12991573 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 09:03:34 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12991281 Kip patterson : 1) I believe that 1,000, not 20,00 cards were billed with $.01 charges.

2) So far as I know, you must have name and expiration date to bill. Under some circumstances you also need billing address, but I am unaware of the details.

3)How is the procedure for obtaining address "widely known"?

4)Amex and Discover differ greatly from Mastercard and Visa. Mastercard and Visa accounts, both card and merchant, are issued by member banks, and the transactions pass through those banks ( or a clearing house used by the bank). Discover and American Express do all of this internally.

5) The last time I was directly involved, we received our cash the day after we posted the charges. There is a requirement to retain a reserve in the account to cover the bank against fraudulent charges. There are some banks out there that are hurting right now because it is the bank, not Mastercard or Visa, that has to cover the fraud.

How big is this? Who knows. I was told it was of a "routine" size, whatever that means.

I think it is over. There are very few new visitors to this thread, and the latest transaction posting date I have seen is March 15th.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12991281 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 08:05:27 EDT Re: Pluto Data Credit Card Charge http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12990964 MGD : therealshari, that is an interesting theory, and merits further investigation. It is worth noting that girlofsummer78 stated that her "fresh" card was used at register.com in an attempt to set up a tasikmalaya-dal.net domain, which as already noted: "Tasikalaya is a town on the island of Java in Indonesia"

After reading the entire posts over the past few weeks, I also believe that this originated as a complex card hacking script. It appears to be random within Visa and Mastercard and besides the US, includes victims from Australia and England. There is no common thread, there is also an indication that they did not know which numbers were debit and which were credit cards.

I believe that this scam is dynamic, still on going, and is much larger and more complex than most realize. They are aware of, and are exploiting major security flaws. The fact that a hijacked merchant account of a small Pennsylvania travel agent can successfully process 20,000 pings in a 24hour period over the weekend without a trigger, confirms this. Bear in mind that this account probably never ran more than a couple of hundred transactions in a week, if that.

I believe that in addition to validating the number the ping also returned a name for the card thereby enabling a wider range of use for the number.

The complete lack of recognition by security of the extent of the fraud in the early stages, as noted by the original posters, will eventually be recognized as a serious error.

The lack of any promptly shared fraud info, impedes a quick response to nip a massive fraud in the bud. The burden of catching a multi-million dollar scam, made up of $30 charges on several hundred thousand cards, rests with the cardholders reporting it, after reviewing their monthly bill. By that time millions of dollars have disappeared via layered wire transfers and the trail is cold, and a new one already prepared, starts again.

As most of this fraud is transacted via the inter