Bank of America cancels numerous debit cards

A security breach involving an undisclosed company has prompted Bank of America to cancel the debit cards of numerous customers, a spokesman for the country's largest bank said Thursday.

Bank of America refused to release the name of the company involved, the exact number of customers affected or whether the company in question was online or a traditional brick-and-mortar establishment.

The case is unusual in that debit cards appeared to be at risk. Credit cards are typically involved in security breaches at financial institutions because they are used more often than debit cards for retail transactions.

"These are intricate matters...and may involve information that is not exactly clear and concise," said Michael Chee, the bank's spokesman. "It would be premature to discuss any third parties until an investigation is conducted."

Chee said that to this point, there is no evidence that any of its customer accounts have been compromised. The move to cancel debit cards was a precaution, he said.

An investigation is under way, Chee said, but he added that he was unaware of what law enforcement agency was overseeing it.

Bank of America issued letters to many customers notifying them of the breach and that their debit cards were no longer good. The bank is also telling customers to watch out for any unauthorized transactions on their statements.

"As a proactive security-minded effort, we may take steps to replace people's cards," Chee said. "We know this can represent a minor inconvenience. The question is, would we rather risk inconveniencing customers and protect their information and accounts, or do we just do nothing?"

[Iohagh]

BOFA cancels numerous debit cards

No beef no deal.

I think it is about time that banks like Bank of America start thinking about a platform solution that keeps ID offline rather than playing with flawed software, toys or gadgets that haven't been proven.

Everyone knows four level authentication with offline devices is mandated or fiated by the FFIEC and the result of all those relationships is users will benefit from single use credit card numbers that are kept offline.

So, wake up and do that because otherwise people like me are going to ask "Where's the Beef".

The patent has been given just do the right thing within the Federal time limit and the winner will end up being the biggest most reputable bank.

Saying you are giving me my money back after theft is like saying you are going to definitely repay me for bank rape.

Well, here's a clue guys, you invade my account and I'm gone because I cannot trust your promises anymore. So, whomever gets their act together, that's who I'm marrying my money with respectively.

I'm not mad just fed up and I am not taking all this double talk anymore. Ciao.

[MS789]

you need to get mad.

fed up is not going to cut it. dump your accounts NOW and show them the door. THEY'RE FIRED - just like they do to their USA employees after they FORCE them to train their counterparts in India who will earn 1/3 of what they earn.

FIRE THEM NOW! I did. Its great.

[Iohagh]

BOFA cancels numerous debit cards

No beef no deal.

I think it is about time that banks like Bank of America start thinking about a platform solution that keeps ID offline rather than playing with flawed software, toys or gadgets that haven't been proven.

Everyone knows four level authentication with offline devices is mandated or fiated by the FFIEC and the result of all those relationships is users will benefit from single use credit card numbers that are kept offline.

So, wake up and do that because otherwise people like me are going to ask "Where's the Beef".

The patent has been given just do the right thing within the Federal time limit and the winner will end up being the biggest most reputable bank.

Saying you are giving me my money back after theft is like saying you are going to definitely repay me for bank rape.

Well, here's a clue guys, you invade my account and I'm gone because I cannot trust your promises anymore. So, whomever gets their act together, that's who I'm marrying my money with respectively.

I'm not mad just fed up and I am not taking all this double talk anymore. Ciao.

[MS789]

you need to get mad.

fed up is not going to cut it. dump your accounts NOW and show them the door. THEY'RE FIRED - just like they do to their USA employees after they FORCE them to train their counterparts in India who will earn 1/3 of what they earn.

FIRE THEM NOW! I did. Its great.

[MitchAllen]

I had a relative who was a victim

Not sure if it's the same company, but after a relative of my gave her debit card # to a "free watch" scam, her account was systematically chipped at every week. She had to close it. Here are some examples:

11/09/2005 CHECKCARD 1108 NUF*ACC INS 42770318 800-863-0641 NY [tx # deleted] $24.90

11/04/2005 CHECKCARD 1103 EASY SAVER 800-262-6199 PA [tx # deleted] $14.95

10/25/2005 CHECKCARD 1024 NCM*SAPPHIRE SET 3OF3 800-327-9076 NY [tx # deleted] $19.95

10/17/2005 CHECKCARD 1014 NCM*JEWELRY E & P P&H 800-835-9195 NY [tx # deleted] $5.99

10/17/2005 CHECKCARD 1014 NCM*JEWELRY E & P 800-835-9195 NY [tx # deleted] $29.99

10/11/2005 CHECKCARD 1010 NUF*ACC INS 42770270 800-209-3515 NY [tx # deleted] $9.95

10/11/2005 CHECKCARD 1010 NUF*ACC INS 42770318 800-863-0641 NY [tx # deleted]$24.90

10/07/2005 CHECKCARD 1006 EASY SAVER 800-262-6199 PA [tx # deleted]$14.95

09/28/2005 CHECKCARD 0927 NCM*SAPPHIRE SET 2OF3 800-327-9076 NY [tx # deleted]$19.95

[hpp6937]

I had a relative who was a victim

I also would like to add my two cents, since that is all I have left in my checking account. I thought I was getting my Mom some nicely priced jewelry and thought what the hec. Now after going overdrawn three times due to this company I am livid. When I called and asked if they could set up withdrawals on a particular date and let me know how much would be taken all I was told was to send all jewelry back. Well, since my Mom happily opened her "little gifts" from me, God only knows! I am sending anything back I think might have come from this company and am changing my debit card, WHAT A MESS!!!!

[E1337Knight]

BankOfAmerica, PassPortToFun, Easy Saver

I recently noticed two charges from PASSPORTTOFUN (PASS PORT TO FUN 877-442-5780) and from EASY SAVER 800-262-6199 for 14.95 each. I have no idea how these charges got charged to my account. I immediately called both of the company?s and asked that they refund my money and that I did not want there server and that the charges were not authorized. After a runaround they told me that they would credit my account and cancel the service. They also told me that it was noted in there system that I ordered there service from a infomercial (I have never ordered from the TV). Several days go by and the changes were still posted on my account and I never received a refund. I then called bank of America and asked to dispute the changes. The dispute department told me that they are unable to dispute this charge because bank of America is affiliates with both of these company?s and that I would have to take it up with them. I asked for a supervisor /etc /etc to no avail. I then drove into a banking center and the manager tried to dispute the charges and was told the same. He also told me that it is common for "affiliate companies" to share information like checking / credit card numbers. I would bet that this is how they got my account numbers.
I ended up closing my account with bank of America and am much happier with my new bank. However I have still be unable to receive any refund from this company or there partner bank of America.
I?m sure that some day there will be a class action lawsuit against all three of these companies and I would love to be included.
Reference: bankofamericasux.com

[MitchAllen]

I had a relative who was a victim

Not sure if it's the same company, but after a relative of my gave her debit card # to a "free watch" scam, her account was systematically chipped at every week. She had to close it. Here are some examples:

11/09/2005 CHECKCARD 1108 NUF*ACC INS 42770318 800-863-0641 NY [tx # deleted] $24.90

11/04/2005 CHECKCARD 1103 EASY SAVER 800-262-6199 PA [tx # deleted] $14.95

10/25/2005 CHECKCARD 1024 NCM*SAPPHIRE SET 3OF3 800-327-9076 NY [tx # deleted] $19.95

10/17/2005 CHECKCARD 1014 NCM*JEWELRY E & P P&H 800-835-9195 NY [tx # deleted] $5.99

10/17/2005 CHECKCARD 1014 NCM*JEWELRY E & P 800-835-9195 NY [tx # deleted] $29.99

10/11/2005 CHECKCARD 1010 NUF*ACC INS 42770270 800-209-3515 NY [tx # deleted] $9.95

10/11/2005 CHECKCARD 1010 NUF*ACC INS 42770318 800-863-0641 NY [tx # deleted]$24.90

10/07/2005 CHECKCARD 1006 EASY SAVER 800-262-6199 PA [tx # deleted]$14.95

09/28/2005 CHECKCARD 0927 NCM*SAPPHIRE SET 2OF3 800-327-9076 NY [tx # deleted]$19.95

[hpp6937]

I had a relative who was a victim

I also would like to add my two cents, since that is all I have left in my checking account. I thought I was getting my Mom some nicely priced jewelry and thought what the hec. Now after going overdrawn three times due to this company I am livid. When I called and asked if they could set up withdrawals on a particular date and let me know how much would be taken all I was told was to send all jewelry back. Well, since my Mom happily opened her "little gifts" from me, God only knows! I am sending anything back I think might have come from this company and am changing my debit card, WHAT A MESS!!!!

[E1337Knight]

BankOfAmerica, PassPortToFun, Easy Saver

I recently noticed two charges from PASSPORTTOFUN (PASS PORT TO FUN 877-442-5780) and from EASY SAVER 800-262-6199 for 14.95 each. I have no idea how these charges got charged to my account. I immediately called both of the company?s and asked that they refund my money and that I did not want there server and that the charges were not authorized. After a runaround they told me that they would credit my account and cancel the service. They also told me that it was noted in there system that I ordered there service from a infomercial (I have never ordered from the TV). Several days go by and the changes were still posted on my account and I never received a refund. I then called bank of America and asked to dispute the changes. The dispute department told me that they are unable to dispute this charge because bank of America is affiliates with both of these company?s and that I would have to take it up with them. I asked for a supervisor /etc /etc to no avail. I then drove into a banking center and the manager tried to dispute the charges and was told the same. He also told me that it is common for "affiliate companies" to share information like checking / credit card numbers. I would bet that this is how they got my account numbers.
I ended up closing my account with bank of America and am much happier with my new bank. However I have still be unable to receive any refund from this company or there partner bank of America.
I?m sure that some day there will be a class action lawsuit against all three of these companies and I would love to be included.
Reference: bankofamericasux.com

[swjost]

Proactive my Aunt Fannie!

My Mom was affected by this. She finally got her notification letter on Feb 8, 2006, but was dated Feb 2, 2006. She found out by trying to make a purchase and being declined. The BofA support staff could not authorize the single charge. She had to leave her stuff at the store and go to a BofA that actually had people staffing it. Then the teller had no idea about the issue and my mom had to explain the whole thing to him. So after an extra hour and a half of driving and explaining the ordeal to uniformed staff, she returned to the store where she paid cash for her goods.

I can't believe BofA is calling this proactive. They are reacting to a possible security breach! Proactive means taking action to prevent these sorts of events.

[The user with no name]

BoA has NO CLUE

I just called them to check on my debit cards and the lady on the phone STILL HAD NO IDEA what I was talking about.

idiots.

[swjost]

Proactive my Aunt Fannie!

My Mom was affected by this. She finally got her notification letter on Feb 8, 2006, but was dated Feb 2, 2006. She found out by trying to make a purchase and being declined. The BofA support staff could not authorize the single charge. She had to leave her stuff at the store and go to a BofA that actually had people staffing it. Then the teller had no idea about the issue and my mom had to explain the whole thing to him. So after an extra hour and a half of driving and explaining the ordeal to uniformed staff, she returned to the store where she paid cash for her goods.

I can't believe BofA is calling this proactive. They are reacting to a possible security breach! Proactive means taking action to prevent these sorts of events.

[The user with no name]

BoA has NO CLUE

I just called them to check on my debit cards and the lady on the phone STILL HAD NO IDEA what I was talking about.

idiots.

[MS789]

And we trust our personal finance data with

people in INDIA??????????? Thanks a lot Bank of INDIA - thats what we low-life CUSTOMERS call you now.

You are a shame to the United States of America. Hope you fold.

[MS789]

And we trust our personal finance data with

people in INDIA??????????? Thanks a lot Bank of INDIA - thats what we low-life CUSTOMERS call you now.

You are a shame to the United States of America. Hope you fold.

[csgasman]

Re-read the article carefully

The breach was at a third-party company, not at Bank of America. Here's a link to another article about this incident with more information on who it was: http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1926121,00.asp

[csgasman]

Re-read the article carefully

The breach was at a third-party company, not at Bank of America. Here's a link to another article about this incident with more information on who it was: http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1926121,00.asp

[papabing]

"undisclosed company" might be JcPenney

An hour after we used our BofA card on JCPenney's site, BofA called us and said the card was compromised and reissued a new card.

[papabing]

"undisclosed company" might be JcPenney

An hour after we used our BofA card on JCPenney's site, BofA called us and said the card was compromised and reissued a new card.