Today, I was checking my bank account online and came across a transaction I did not recognize.
05/27/2009 ACH Transaction - Web Revenue Svc 4242390433 $14.95-
Some of you may have seen this before. Some of you may see it soon. I ran a few searches online. The White Pages reverse phone number search didn't turn up any results, but Google said the area code 424 is Santa Monica, California. I also turned up a very interesting search result for "Web Revenue Service."
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-424-239-0433
Guess what? Some creep is randomly conducting unauthorized account transactions. Guess what else? People are irate and I figure it won't be long before this criminal is brought to justice. Banks in particular do not take this sort of garbage lying down. My bank has already heard from me twice about this. I expect a satisfactory resolution and that is not negotiable.
So check your statements and your caller id's regularly! I have no idea how this person is getting everyone's account number, but s/he is currently actively stealing money on a frequent and regular basis! Let's put an end to criminals like this...
Friday, May 29, 2009
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8 comments:
I just had one of these transactions earlier this week. My bank called me to let me know it had happened and that they had already reversed the transaction.
They said it appeared to be someone trying random account numbers. I"m not sure how they would know that, unless they got a bunch of attempts with bad account numbers. They made it sound like my account was the only one that got hit at this bank.
I was just checking my bank account and found the same charge - googled the number and found your blog.
Thanks for blogging about this. I just found a transaction like this dated 5/27. The first thing I do whenever I see something I don't recognise is to Google it. That turned up only 2 results, with this blog being one of them.
I've contacted my bank with a link to this article and asked them to reverse the transaction.
Cheers
I also had $14.95 debited from my checking account on May 27, 2009 from "Web Revenue Svc". I called the number listed on the transaction detail (424-239-0433) and got a voice mail. I left a message that I wanted to inquire about a charge to my checking account and left my name and phone #. The next day the $14.95 charge had been credited back to my account, not by the bank, but by "Web Revenue Svc". It's almost as if "they" are crediting back the charge on people who seem to be on to their scheme and colleting $14.95 on each of the other oblivious victims, in order to go undetected longer.
I also had $14.95 debited from my checking account on May 27, 2009 from "Web Revenue Svc". I called the number listed on the transaction detail (424-239-0433) and got a voice mail. I left a message that I wanted to inquire about a charge to my checking account and left my name and phone #. The next day the $14.95 charge had been credited back to my account, not by the bank, but by "Web Revenue Svc". It's almost as if "they" are crediting back the charge on people who seem to be on to their scheme and colleting $14.95 on each of the other oblivious victims, in order to go undetected longer.
As an update to my article, I would like to add that I have not had contact from my bank as of yet in regards tot his matter.
However when I checked my account again this afternoon, I noticed a "direct deposit" for the same amount to be posted into my account dated with today's date. I do not know if this is the bank's doing or it is the party responsible for the unauthorized removal of my funds. Frankly, not knowing for sure is making me a little uneasy.
I have not called the number next to the transaction for multiple reasons. I also never received a call from them like some people have. I am still waiting for a reply from my bank in regards to this matter. I think in a situation like this, my bank is the best source to communicate to about this matter; it is the safest option. They can call the number if they want. I won't do it.
I question if my account number is still safe or if once it has been accessed in such a manner, my financial security may be compromised. If my bank suggests a change of any/all of my account numbers for security reasons, then I am behind their suggestion 100%. Usually if one loses possession of credit/debit cards and/or checks, a financial institution will recommend changing account numbers and whatnot to be on the safe side because preventative action is easier than the alternative.
If I get any more valuable information I will post it.
I have heard from my bank in regards to my last communication with them. I thought I might share just in case any of this might be helpful to others dealing with this sort of thing.
my message on 06/04/2009:
If you will notice that my account as of today has the funds already returned- by the same people that removed them in the first place. I never contacted these people. I never authorized any transactions with these people. I do not know who these people are. Please understand that I have not in any way had anything to do with these people.
That being said, how is it possible that they should have been able to access me account? Furthermore, why did they mysteriously return my money without any contact whatsoever? Does this mean the integrity of my financial security has been breeched? Should I be worried about this sort of thing happening again? Should I be changing any or all of my account numbers?
The link I provided in my previous message indicates that numerous people have experienced a similar if not exact situation with the same people. I even blogged about it and other people looking for information as I had, left comments in regards to to their experiences as well. Some of them had their banks reverse the charges, just as you offered to do. Some of them, like me suddenly found their money returned without any prompting. While the latter situation may seem rather fortunate, it still seems rather dubious to me that any of this should have happened at all, especially that the mysteriously fortunate return of my funds. I do feel compromised and violated and I am seeking reassurance from you that this sort of situation will not happen again. I do not know if you can even guarantee such a thing. I think there is more to examine than merely an "unauthorized transaction."
my bank's response 06/05/2009: Thank you for using Navy Federal's eMessaging Service. We are unable to determine why the funds were reversed back to your account. The company would need to be contacted to gain this information. Navy Federal only processes these types of authorizations after electronic receipt from the merchant/company for payment. You may request to close your account compromised to prevent this company from debiting from your account in the future by visiting a Navy Federal branch or contacting us at 1-888-842-NFCU (6328). Once the process has begun, your current accounts will be closed and all CUCARDs and Visa Check Cards will be cancelled. Any outstanding checks or ACH debits will be returned "Account Closed." Also, if you have any direct deposits, allotments, or ACH debits you will need to notify the companies of your new account number.
As part of our routine maintenance, please verify your current mailing address and contact numbers. We appreciate your assistance in this matter.
As usual, my bank does not fully address all of my concerns, but at least the core of the matter was sufficiently addressed. Like all other operations my banks is slowly slacking off and finding ways to pass responsibilities and so forth onto others- something that used not to be done when i was younger. If their basic answer is I should change everything to make myself feel safe and secure, then I suppose I could do that because with this particular instance nobody knows how these people got my account number and who knows who else might have it as well. On the other hand, is this a process that I can look to doing every time my financial security is compromised? This could pose problems with all other transactions that are not in question. That's very troublesome to me. Who took my money and why was it returned without anyone contacting them to do so? Am I supposed to glibly accept that this situation happened? Should I feel safe that this won't happen again? Should I change all of my financial info every single time something like this happens? Why can't my financial holdings be more secure? My bank just blindly accepted that I had approved a transaction that I had not approved- in fact, there was no "transaction" per se, simply a removal and return of funds by a mysterious individual or group. In the end I am glad my money is back, but that is absolutely the only thing i see positive of this whole situation.
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