$9.84 Credit Charge on Statement Could Indicate Fraud

$9.84 Credit Charge on Statement Could Indicate Fraud

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Jan 28, 2014

So, what’s your lucky number? 7? 21? 50? I sure hope it’s not 984, because there’s a new con going around!

The Better Business Bureau has issued a fraud alert that warns consumers to check their bank and credit card statements for inexplicable charges in the amount of $9.84, since it seems scammers are charging stolen credit cards with this particular amount. These scammers are relying on the fact that most of us don’t thoroughly read through our statements, and with such a small amount, the average consumer is likely to skip over it anyway. Also, credit card companies are less likely to aggressively investigate this small charge.

$9.84 Credit Charge on Statement Could Indicate FraudIt’s scary enough that this is happening, but the source of these stolen cards is terrifying. Do you realize that anyone can buy 10,000 stolen credit and debit card numbers in online forums where stolen data, malicious software and other illicit goods and services are sold in eBay-like exchanges? (It just astonishes me the lengths some people will do to these days.)

The following is how this scam seems to be playing out:

  • A charge of $9.84 is listed with an unfamiliar website on a statement.
  • When the consumer goes to the website, a generic landing page claiming to offer “Customer Support” pops up.
  • The landing page promises to “refund 100%” of the consumer’s last payment and even provides a phone number and email address.
  • Consumers calling this phone number receive verbal confirmation that the $9.84 charge will be cancelled.

Here’s what you should do if you see $9.84 on your statement:

Contact your bank or credit card company to report these unexplainable charges immediately. In the US and Canada, card owners could be responsible for up to $50 worth of charges even if the owner claims their card was lost or stolen.

Request a new debit or credit card.

Additional Tips

  1. Never lend your card to anyone or leave statements and receipts lying around your home, car or office.
  2. Never sign a blank charge slip. Be sure to draw lines through blank spaces to ensure that amounts cannot be changed or added.
  3. Be on the lookout for these scammers to change the $9.84 amount they are charging, since media outlets are getting the word out.

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

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