Check Your Debit, Credit Card Statements For “BLS WebLearn” Scam Transactions

Consumerist ^ | March 19, 2014 | Chris Morran

[topher]

A lot of times when someone gets a hold of someone’s credit or debit card info and decides to use it for illicit purposes, the ID thief makes as many charges as possible in a short period of time. But some scammers choose to chisel away at victims’ accounts in the hopes that the crime will go unnoticed.

[topher]

It appears to be a charge through a currency that will fluctuate until the charge "settles".

I wanted to make my "vanity" about this FrontPage so people would be made aware of this fraud.

It seems to have started around March 7, so people have 30 days after the charge to "dispute it"

[driftdiver]

You have to watch your statements as the criminals are now putting through small charges to stay under the radar.

Most banks give you 60-90 days to dispute a charge on a personal card.

[Gaffer]

I look at my bank accounts and all my credit cards and purchasing accounts DAILY for signs of this and other fraud. EVERY DAY!

[topher]

This is the Freerepublic Thread/Article on this:

'WebLearn' Scam (fraudulent credit card charges) Appears on Credit Card Bill (888-461-2032)

There are two phone numbers associated with the Bogus Charge.

Maybe people should flood these phone numbers with calls from Robo Machine calls...

The two phone numbers are:

888-461-2032 and 888-210-6574

Apparently, they are valid numbers, but no one who answers the phone will give out any information...

[TurboZamboni]

Probably a Nigerian Obamcare navigator.

[Star Traveler]

I look at every transaction and I assure myself with each one that “I did this” ... :-) ...

[topher]

This story and the "DailyKOS" story are about 9 or more days before my initial reporting of this -- here at Freerepublic.

My bank was not aware of it, but when I cancelled my credit card, the credit card center that handles my card knew this was a scam.

Some people have no trouble with "charge". Other people have problems with their bank.

Household Bank apparently would not automatically handle this.

[topher]

Finally:

If you see this on a credit card, cancel the card immediately...

[driftdiver]

Banks will limit business accounts to 2-3 days to dispute a charge.

A lot of money can be spent before you figure it out.

[88keys]

Thanks for the "heads up"...missed it the first time!

Does this scam apply to credit-only cards also, or just debit cards?

[WinMod70]

“I look at my bank accounts and all my credit cards and purchasing accounts DAILY for signs of this and other fraud. EVERY DAY!”

So which is it, daily or every day?

[Gaffer]

Not when I can see pending charges immediately, and when I have an opportunity to flag a charge as possible fraud.

Many times, frauds try the $1.00 holding charge to see if it gets kicked back immediately and then wait a couple of days to ‘legitimize’ the charge (when the bank’s rule go into effect)....I just head them off at the pass.

[TurboZamboni]

I’ve had a problem with the local YMCA.

Quit the Y year ago and they still take the money from the bank debit card account every month. Every month they claim they’ve stopped it and every month the bank has to reverse the charges. I know I could close the account , but there are other auto paid accounts(valid) on it that prevent me from doing so.

NEVER use a debit card for anything that could be billed monthly and/or recurring. Once they’ve got you, they’ve got you forever.

[SgtHooper]

Must be a new scheme by the Rat party to obtain political donations.

[SgtHooper]

You are exactly correct, these or any bogus numbers should added to a list of endless robo calls. Unfortunately, we’d then be charged with some BS crime, while the criminals are free.

[topher]

Everything I have read points to something Malta. But is maybe that someone set it up in Malta -- to filter it.

I would suspect Russian Mafia.

They are supposed behind the Target credit card theft...

[topher]

Yes, definitely either credit cards or debit cards.

I believe the scamfighters site has the best info, and from their facebook page, you can ask them questions.

The facebook page seems to be the better source (when I was actively looking at this).

https://www.facebook.com/Scamcallfighters/posts/613398618736174?reply_comment_id=75286871&total_comments=3

[Fresh Wind]

NEVER use a debit card for anything that could be billed monthly and/or recurring. Once they’ve got you, they’ve got you forever.

That's absolutely true. I canceled my Comcrap account (which was being paid this way), and asked the bank if they could block that charge, in case Comcrap decided to keep charging me (they didn't). But the bank told me the only way would be to close the entire account and open a new one.