So I got an email tonight around 12am PST from Best Buy!!! I quickly opened it, hoping it would be some kind of "Congrats! Your Rift Bundle is on its way!" message. Nope. In fact, it was a message stating they attempted to charge my card but that it was declined. I don't get it. I appreciate the fact that my bank monitors my account for theft protection etc, but I had specifically called them about a week ago to let them know Best Buy would be charging X amount in the near future, as to avoid this situation. Ugh.
I immediately called to have them clear the transaction, but apparently their account database is down for scheduled maintenance tonight until 5am.
Ever since the liability of fraud charges was pushed onto the creditors, they have become extremely overzealous trying to "protect you" (them), because they're the ones who take the hit when someone steals your credit card. If it's a legitimate fraud charge, they have to (by law) credit your account at their own expense even if they never get the money back from the original thief. Thus, crap like this happens constantly. Pisses me off too, I've been in very similar situations like this and it makes me want to strangle the people who put in these policies every time.
The original reason for the change was great for consumers because the credit card companies were screwing us over, creditors would do little to nothing to protect you and if your card was stolen most of the time you were just SoL and had to pay back the fraudulent charges yourself. But now it's flip flopped. Although I guess the current state is better than the former, it's just annoying.
The last time this happens to me, I called them 48 hours before *leaving the country* and told them I was going to South Korea, and not to flip out when they see oversea charges. I didn't even make it out of the airport in Seoul before they locked my card. I got it unlocked, and they locked it exactly 3 months later after the "Block override" automatically lifted, even though I was using my card all over Korea for 3 months straight. So I ended up having to call them every 3 months for the entire 18 months I was there.
because they're the ones who take the hit when someone steals your credit card. If it's a legitimate fraud charge, they have to (by law) credit your account at their own expense
Strange, I use to work for a small business here in SoCal. We had mostly online sales. Anyways, the owner was always really paranoid about suspicious orders because she said she'd been burned several times by card thieves and scammers. She said when the credit card companies would reimburse the ID theft victim, the cost would fall on the business and she was the one taking the hit at the end of the day.
I dunno. But yes indeed it's one of those things you just gotta put up with, as the benefit outweighs the inconvenience. I'll call tomorrow and get it cleared, but I hate to think this might add an extra day to my shipping date XD
Same thing happen to me. I got a email from the credit card (Discover) before Best Buy. Call the credit card and redid with Best Buy, about 5 minute. It when through. I was out of state two day before so I'm guess that what got it tagged. When l go to CA I always need to call ahead. Haven't need to call when I got buy but $2.4K is a good hit.
So I managed to get it all taken care of this morning. It took two attempts then finally went through. Based on my order status it looks as though I'll be getting my rig and monitor first (the 27th). The Rift still shows as processing.
because they're the ones who take the hit when someone steals your credit card. If it's a legitimate fraud charge, they have to (by law) credit your account at their own expense
She said when the credit card companies would reimburse the ID theft victim, the cost would fall on the business and she was the one taking the hit at the end of the day.
Yeah, that's my understanding, the liability falls on the vendor.
because they're the ones who take the hit when someone steals your credit card. If it's a legitimate fraud charge, they have to (by law) credit your account at their own expense
Strange, I use to work for a small business here in SoCal. We had mostly online sales. Anyways, the owner was always really paranoid about suspicious orders because she said she'd been burned several times by card thieves and scammers. She said when the credit card companies would reimburse the ID theft victim, the cost would fall on the business and she was the one taking the hit at the end of the day.
I dunno. But yes indeed it's one of those things you just gotta put up with, as the benefit outweighs the inconvenience. I'll call tomorrow and get it cleared, but I hate to think this might add an extra day to my shipping date XD
You're probably right, as it makes sense that if the credit card company is liable they'll first start by going after the company that allowed the fraud charge in the first place. They just want their money, they don't care where it comes from, and they probably have a lot better luck getting money from large companies than they do tracking down the thief.
Of course, you worked for a small business, but my guess is their legal department (or whoever handles it internally) doesn't discriminate and they're just going through their motions.
This is all conjecture of course, I have no idea how it actually works aside from the Customer/Creditor relationship I mentioned before. But my gut tells me it's something like this. :smile:
Of course, you worked for a small business, but my guess is their legal department (or whoever handles it internally) doesn't discriminate and they're just going through their motions.
I expect it's in the contract for using Mastercard, visa, etc's services. So, probably legal departments don't have much to do with it.
I wonder if that's part of why all the fish and chips shops, takeaways, corner dairies etc only allow eftpos, because they'd be responsible for CC fraud, but not eftpos?
Of course, you worked for a small business, but my guess is their legal department (or whoever handles it internally) doesn't discriminate and they're just going through their motions.
I expect it's in the contract for using Mastercard, visa, etc's services. So, probably legal departments don't have much to do with it.
I wonder if that's part of why all the fish and chips shops, takeaways, corner dairies etc only allow eftpos, because they'd be responsible for CC fraud, but not eftpos?
It's possible, I've also been seeing mom and pop stores offer "cash discounts" more and more lately. Originally I assumed it was because they could avoid the credit card processing fees. At first I thought it was a situation where they offer you x% off, and that's half as much as the fee costs. Say the fee is 10%, and they offer you a 5% discount, so they actually make 5% more and you pay 5% less. But it might have to do with this as well.
I'm just speculating though, since my business is 100% digital and my game is sold through storefronts like Steam I never handle anything with the credit card companies at all so I have no idea how that aspect of running a small business works.
