My credit union’s VISA fraud department left a message for me on Friday evening. “Call us ASAP regarding some suspicious activity on your card, 800-BLA-BLAH.” Not the 800 number listed on the back of my card. Not any of the numbers listed on my credit union’s web site. Google and the various reverse directories on the Internets knew nothing of the number.
So I called it. A synthesized voice spoke the name of my credit union and asked for my VISA number. Yeah, right. Click.
So this afternoon I called the number from the back of my card. The message was legit. The “suspicious” transaction was $31.09 at a gas station near my office. According to my online statement I have made 10 other purchases from that location since January 1st, with six of those visits clocking in at more than $31.09.
These VISA fraud folks don’t call when I spend $400 at a gun show, $800 with TireRack, or $950 at Best Buy — purchases which, despite my predilections for guns, cars, and all thinks Geeky, are far outside my normal spending patterns. But $31.09 at a gas station I visit at least once a week, that they call me about.
I suppose it could be worse. I almost switched to Citibank while I was living abroad…
