Credit Card Glitch Overcharges Thousands Of Users

[SoCalDem]

http://www.ktvu.com/news/2973716/detail.html

Credit Card Glitch Overcharges Thousands Of Users

POSTED: 2:58 pm PDT April 4, 2004

DENVER -- A computer hardware problem caused more than 800,000 credit and debit card transactions to be double- or triple-billed last week at stores nationwide, including Wal-Mart, officials said.
...snip...

Busby was unable to say how many customers were affected by the 800,000 transaction errors, but said they involved retailers including Wal-Mart.

"Anyone who conducted a transaction with a Visa or Mastercard on March 31 should check their statements," she said. The errors were posted to customers' accounts on April 1. "First Data corrected the problem as soon as we discovered it," Busby said.

...snip....

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Danetta Thompson said cashiers were told about the mix-up and store signs were posted with First Data's toll-free number -- 888-893-0626.

Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Virginian]

1. Offshore programming?

I checked the Lou Dobbs Offshore list and I see that First Data is on it.

There have been warnings that terrorism will strike the Financial structure of this country, yet this sort of stuff still gets sent to other countries.

The banks and credit card companies don't seem to care that anyone can have access to our most sensitive financial information. If my identity is stolen, they don't care, it isn't costing them anything. It is my problem, even though it is they who did not adequately guard my privacy. I want my personal data kept where US laws can protect it.

[burrowowl]

2. WalMart needs

short-term interest the money generates until it is refunded to the customer. Meanwhile, customers' checks bounced because their debit cards were overcharged double or triple? Here's hoping 800,000 customers finally get pissed. First they rip off the workers and now the customer. NASTY PEOPLE!

[burrowowl]

3. Are they ready to

crash like Enron?

[SoCalDem]

4. When the flood of bankruptcies hit, they just might..

I did go online and check my debit card usage, but I did not use it at all on that day..:)

[Zinfandel]

5. I Will never have a Credit Card again. I only use an VISA ATM card...

It can work as a credit card if I need it to and an ATM which I prefer, when asked what option by a restaurant etc...I always say ATM and pop in my pin code.

AND I NEVER PAY INTEREST (I ONLY RECEIVE INTEREST FROM MY ACCOUNTS) AND I'M NEVER IN DEBT...IF I DON'T HAVE IT IN MY CHECKING OR SAVINGS ACCOUNTS...I CAN'T BUY IT...AS IT SHOULD BE!!!

[ConcernedCanuk]

6. Anyone realize how much Interest WalMart will make on that?

.
.
.

Interest is calculated daily, if not hourly in some cases,

800,000 x 10 bucks is 8 million if average purchase was 50 bucks, thats 40 million,and so on - -

hmm - could this be a new type of scam?

Naaaah

It's WalMart!!!

They wouldn't do that --

on edit, I noticed it's not just WalMart . .

But that money is collecting interest SOMEWHERE!!