CapitalOne and Fraud
Earlier this morning, I received an email from “The CapitalOne Fraud Department”, claiming to have been trying to reach me concerning fraudulent activity on my email account.
It started with the subject “A message from Capital One’s Fraud Department”, and had the body:
Capital One--Customer Fraud Protection http://email.capitalone.com/T9RT03B4D356207A38AE47DB54E840 - Protect - Monitor - Resolve http://email.capitalone.com/T9RT03B4D336D07A38AE47DB54E840 We've been trying to reach you Please call us at 1-800-427-9428 ======================================= Jonathan Angliss , With your assistance, we would like to verify some recent transactions on your account ending in ####. We want to ensure that all charges have been authorized by you. Please call us at 1-800-427-9428 as soon as possible. If you've already contacted us and approved these charges, thank you...there is no need to call again. You are a valued Capital One customer and we do all we can to protect your account at all times. Thank you for helping us protect your account. -- Capital One(R) Customer Fraud Protection P.S. For any general account questions, call 1-800-955-7070 or the phone number on the back of your card. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Important Information from Capital One This e-mail was sent to jon@netdork.net and contains information directly related to your account with us, other services to which you have subscribed, and/or any application you may have submitted. Capital One and its service providers are committed to protecting your privacy and ask you not to send sensitive account information through e-mail. You can view our privacy policy and contact information at http://email.capitalone.com/T9RT03B4D346C07A38AE47DB54E840 If you are not a Capital One customer and believe you received this message in error, please notify us by responding to this e-mail. Copyright 2006 Capital One Services, Inc. Capital One is a federally registered service mark. All rights reserved. 07578 070 001
Now, there are a number of phishy. The first is the lack of actual calls I have received relating to this fraud. They’ve apparently been trying to call me, yet I don’t have any records of calls, or any voice mails. The second is that they’re requesting I call them. Doing a relatively extensive search on their website, I couldn’t find any reference to the number they wanted me to call.
So instead of being stupid, and calling that number, I did what the email recommended, and called the number on the back of my card. Phishers aren’t stupid, they try to make the email look as legitimate as possible, hence the recommendations. When I got through to them, I asked for the number for the fraud department, and they confirmed it was 1-800-427-9428, and then transferred me directly.
Now, you can go to http://www.capitalone.com, and select the “Contact Us” links, and there you will be taken to a page that gives you an option to select what area. As this was related to my credit card, I selected that. A handful of phone numbers, but no number for the Fraud department, just an address.
Next step was their search. Searching for “Fraud” took me to this, but again, no phone numbers, just hints and tips on how to avoid fraud. I also tried searching for 9428, which is part of the number, but that returned nothing.
This adds to the feeling of suspicion on the email. Google also returned a handful of hits on the phone number, and only one site “confirmed” it was a CapitalOne number, but it was a user forum, so that couldn’t really be trusted. My recommendation for CapitalOne would be to add the fraud number to the website, or not send it in an email, and just ask the person to call the number on the back of the card. Or both!
Technorati Tags: Fraud, Capital One, CapitalOne, Rant, Phishing
i got one of these too. i just called the number on the back of the card and they transferred me to the fraud department. its worth the extra 2 minutes to call the main number just to be sure its not a scam. the whole process took less than 6 minutes total — quick and painless.
Aleesha, I agree, and that was exactly what I ended up doing. My recommendation to CapitalOne would be to fix the email, and their site, to include the numbers they are sending out. Make them match.
The automate ask for 16 digits then zip then last 4 social, I stop for a moment and hummm myself, hang up, call customer service and check for this call back #, they verify it and it’s legit, we safe!
We received a voice mail message claiming to be from Capital One with a call back number of 1-800-427-9428. On calling this number, they asked for our 16-digit phone number. Being suspicious, I logged into our Capital One account via the Internet and saw that access to our account was restricted. I called a different 800 number shown in the restriction message and eventually spoke with a fraud department investigator. He confirmed that our on-line purchases with first time vendors yesterday and today (Christmas is less than 9 days away) had triggered the restriction and wanted to confirm the most recent 4 transactions. Once this was done, he released the restriction on our account.
I would do the same thing if this happens again. You can never be too safe when it comes to identity theft.
I received a new Capital One Platinum MasterCard in the mail. There was no sticker on it or number to call to activate it. I used it on the Internet to make a $3.95 purchase. It went through. Then I went to the post office and it was declined for $40.00. Then I got a call from this number 800-427-9428. When I called the person could not give me a reason for sending a credit card with no way to activate it except “system upgrade.” So I guess you have to try to use it, get declined and then a day later they call you.
Stacy, I’d not do that. Once you use the card, you pretty much agree to their terms and conditions, and whatever rates they decided to apply to your account. If you ever get a card in the mail you weren’t expecting, call them directly. There is always a number on the card on the small print.
capital one fraud contact from email: 1-800-427-9428
The number is legit. The process is what it is, verification of the cards digits, last 4 ssc, zipcode, etc. I did call and went through the process. I did freak out after searching the number. Called the number on the back, got through and verified the events I did and asked about the number. Called again on customer service (different number listed on website than on card) confirmed again, the info from the email is correct, the 1-800-427-9428 is their fraud (still strangely not listed on their site though). will post if I really did get screwed.
The fact I did get suspicious partly myself to blame. I was saying yes to their questions and I did have a some hard time understanding because of their accent (which prompted me to search after calling) fearing the worse. Checked the website, I did get issued a new number like they said, new card will be sent a few days.
I got a call yesterday afternoon for Capitol One about my overdue account. — I don’t have a Capitol One account and never have in my life. The caller wanted very much information from me to verify that I really did not have the said “late account”, which I was unwilling to give.
She did not give me a number to call back for verification and *69 was a blocked number. I can’t look on the back of the card, since I don’t have one. I went on-line and they will not give a number to call there, either.
Isn’t this accessory to a crime?
YES, this is a legitimate # from Capital One… just received it myself but ALWAYS call the number on the back of your card to be safe… you NEVER, NEVER know…
I’m all for fraud protection and all that but it’s getting a bit ridiculous. EVERY Sunday morning I get a call from Capitol One wanting to verify that weeks purchases. No amount of complaining helps. If i don’t verify, or answer, that restrict the card. It is our only card. It’s getting to the point where I ma going to have to cancel the card and get a different one. At least this time I think I actually got a call from an American, not Bob in Bombay.
Boy, do I know what you mean. They are absurd regarding how often they call verifying charges. I am about to lose a cruise booking and air reservations because they keep declining charges when I have the credit available!!!! I am seriously considering dumping the card for good because the rewards are definitely not worth it.
Does anyone think a claim to Consumer Affairs might be in order?
Got called this morning – they were looking for my ex-husband. We’ve been divorced for 8 years, he’s never lived at this address nor used this phone number.
Have some problems thinking this is actually legit.
CDC72, I’d recommend calling CapitalOne to confirm that he hasn’t opened a credit card at your address. Ex’s can be quite evil spirited once they are ex.
CCM, that’s most unusual, have you tried talking to your local branch manager? I’ve seen them take actions when they see unusual charges, but not all the time.
I am in the process of filing federal complaints against this company for illegal removal of funds from my checking account. It seems a legitimate online payment was extrapolated to many thousands of dollare over a 2 year period. Be careful out there.
Thanks!
I got the same email from Cap One this morning. Funny that they haven’t done anything about this. It bugged me enough that I forwarded it back to their fraud abuse email address.
I recieved in the mail a letter from Prudent Shoppers Research,with a Cashiers Check on Capital One Bank for 3,890.00…..I wanted to know if you can tell me if this is a fraud or not????Please respond,Thank you
I’m not affiliated with Prudent Shoppers Research, or CapitalOne. If you’re unsure, you should contact them, and discuss the issue.
My daughter took a phone message for me this morning from a caller claiming to be from Capital One with a call back number of 1-800-427-9428.
On returning a call to this number, I was asked to first enter or say my 16-digit card number. Next I was asked for other identifying information for my account, including the zip code for my billing addess and 10-digit home phone number. When I eventually spoke with someone who identified himself as a fraud department investigator for Capital One, I started getting suspicious because of his heavy Latin accent. He told me that my credit card had been placed under restriction due to an unusual transaction yesterday– then told me the exact vendor name, date and amount of the transaction. Next he asked me to identify the 3-digit security code on the back of my card. After a long pause without hold music, he came back on-line and told me that he had released the restriction on our account.
The only thing he didn’t ask me to identify was the expiration date on my credit card.
After the phone call, I immediately logged into my credit card account via the Internet. By this point, I didn’t see anything about a restriction placed on my account. So I configured security alerts for any suspicious activity and all transactions in excess of a set dollar amount to be emailed to my daytime (work) email account. Nothing in the way Capital One handled this situation by phone call led me to feel secure. One would think that its fraud investigation department would have asked me one of the security questions I set up when creating my log-in account– or better identified themselves by knowing confidential information instead asking me to provide it.
You can never be too safe when it comes to identity theft.
I’m glad to see other people have had these sorts of problems with Capital One. I searched for information because I just got my new Capital One card in the mail today, called to activate it, and then tried to use it and got declined. When I called the number on the back of the card, I was told that my account has been restricted due to suspected fraud and that I have to fax them a bunch of information to verify my address and my income, which I think is absurd seeing as I haven’t even made a single purchase yet. I think I’m just going to call them back and tell them to cancel the card.
The same thing just happened to me. I got my card on Monday, activated it and just went to use it this evening for the first time and I was declined. I called and was told I was restricted due to an investigation by the Fraud Department and that something came up on my account but they would not tell me what. They told me I would get a letter in a day or two and would have to send them a copy of my driver’s license. They approached me to get the card, gauranteeing that I was approved. Now they pull this. I checked my account online and there are no restricts on it. I agree, I want to see what they come back with but an considering cancelling the card. They were quick to charge thier member fee however.
This watching this thread will be happy to know I have an inside contact in CapitalOne now, and she’s fired this up the chain to get it looked at.
You can forward it to abuse@capitalone.com
I called them up and was given that address.
I got one of these too, and called the number on the back of my card. Indeed, there were some fraudulent charges on the card and Capital One is handling it.
I’m glad I found this site. I received exact same email on Halloween. The full header looks like the standard phishing with a lot of strange re-routing addresses as well as weird reply-too full header with a lot of letters in it etc. I submitted the entire email with full header to their abuse division. If this is legit as all of you are saying, then they need a different email notification system that looks legit.
yeaa i just receieved a area code 804 claiming that there calling from Capital One Fraud Dept. this guys are scammers…be carefuL ! & dont give out your credit card number, SSN, anything that identifies ur identity.
i got a computer generated call to call the fraud dept last night, so i called the number and a computer gave me a name of a girl who filled out an application and used our address and phone number, they wanted me to press yes if she lived here which i pressed no, then they said (all computer generated) if she had ever lived here adn i pressed no again and then they said thank you and hung up…….what is this about
If you’re concerned about activity on your card, you should call CapitalOne immediately. Use the number on the back of the card, and speak to a representative. I am no affiliated with CapitalOne in anyway, just seem to be one of a lot of people that notice bad handling of their fraud number.
I just got off the phone with a supervisor from Capital One’s fraud dept. Evelyn #MXS335. I have never been so upset when dealing with a company. Here are the details. Back in Sept. my account was compromised. I did receive a letter and contacted them. They closed my account and opened another. Within 24 hours, that account was compromised. And again. I told the fraud dept that it sounded like someone inside was doing this as the password I gave the investigator was something that even my husband wouldn’t know. I had never used it. But, the next morning I got the call that someone had accessed the account to have a duplicate card sent to them. I also received a letter from CIT Bank telling me someone tried to open a Bill Me Later account with the card. Unfortunately I had a balance so I could not completely close the account. Or I would have.
The frustration happened yesterday. I called to close the account but was directed to the fraud department. I was told I would have to speak with an investigator (don’t know why) and was put on hold to transfer. After speaking with two different people, and not being able to connect to an investigator, I asked to speak with a supervisor. That person told me I would have to fax a copy of my SS card, drivers license and utility bill to prove I was the account holder. I told them there was no way I was doing that as they had shown how well they handle cases like this. I said I would have to find another way. Unfortunately, everything I tried landed me back at fraud. Luckily, a nice woman took pity on my frustration and told me to call back early the next day as the fraud investigators are on the East Coast.
So I did. First person put me on hold for 15 minutes without coming back. I hung up. Next person put me on hold for 10 minutes without coming back. I hung up. I immediately asked for a supervisor and got Evelyn who was very apologetic at the beginning. She told me that the account had been closed last fall. So I asked how to transfer the miles I had built up and was told you can’t transfer miles once an account has been closed. I was told last fall that the account would just be frozen, and only closed once the balance was paid. Needless to say, I was upset. She offered to transfer me but I asked for my investigator (Kenny Rivers) number instead. Turns out it was a bogus number! This was after I told her that I had never been involved with customer service this bad. Don’t know where to go from here but I have no good things to say about this company.
I have been a Capital One cardholder for 10 years. In Feb 2010, I received a letter from them stating my “Introductory” APR expired. The net result was my rate immediately changed from a steady (for numerous years) 4.95% to 15.9%. After reading that letter, I immediately called their customer service line to ask (1) why since I have never exceeded by limit nor made a late payment and (2) what options did I have to get my rate back to what it was or at least lower. I was told (quote) “We understand your frustration but apologize as there’s nothing we can do at this time to lower your APR. Please call back next month to see if it’s possible at that time to reduce your rate. In the meantime, I’ll notate your account that you called to inquire about lowering your rate.” Since Feb 2010, I called each month with the same question and was literally given the exact same (scripted) reply. In the meantime, my monthly minimum payment more than doubled to Capital One. I’ve struggled but paid each one and did so on time. July 2010, after six months of struggling and calling Capital One, I called again with the same question and was told by “Seth” that I could “OPT-OUT of the NEW terms” that caused my APR to jump. I immediately reacted, informing him that I’ve been asking this question for six months .. why only now was I offered this wonderful news? His answer: “We are DISCOURAGED from telling customers about the opt-out option which also places your account in RESTRICTED status.” I asked what “restricted status” meant and he clarified that “the card could NO LONGER BE USED for purchases BUT would reinstate your original APR of 4.95%.” I nearly shouted “PERFECT!” when he told me this news. He said he would need to transfer me to a “senior account specialist” to complete my OPT-OUT request. I waited approx 5 minutes and another gentlemen took over the call. He was quick to tell me: “You’ve unfortunately MISSED the window of opportunity to OPT-OUT of the new terms and, therefore, you are STUCK (he actually said STUCK) with the new APR of 15.9%” WTF? I was LIVID. I told him how I’ve called for six consecutive months asking how I can get my old APR of 4.95% back but was told to call back .. and that my inquiry would be noted on my account. He proceeded to tell me “I’m sorry but there’s no record of you ever calling – to ask about your APR or any other reason”. If I could have jumped through the phone to strangle someone at Capital One .. I would have. I told him this is a SCAM and that I would be blogging this online on as many websites as I could locate. He said (quote) “I would do the same if I was in your situation”. Either way, Capital One are running a DIRTY business of lending. Just google “CAPITAL ONE SCREWED” and you’ll find a ton of posts like mine. I wish I could dump this account but, unfortunately, I’ll be stuck paying off the balance well into the foreseeable future.
I have since submitted a complaint at: http://www.occ.treas.gov/customer.htm