Hi, new here too. Been sifting through the forum and I think this is a great resource for consumers and new folks like me! But, here's the heart of the matter, I was backpacking through China for a week or two, and as I was heading back to hong kong for a study program through my school (I'm a student at a university in CA), at the MTR station, my wallet was stolen (big surprise), I luckily only carried one credit card with me (because of this reason) and my ID and some cash was gone. This was on Saturday, and apparently on Tuesday, there was an odd 330 dollars at a camera shop being charged on my card, I didn't have access to a computer until yesterday when I checked my email and CapitalOne told me to call this number. So now they're sending some papers for me to fill out and closed my account. Luckily nothing else was charged... which is strange? I'm jut wondering what the investigation process will be by CapitalOne, especially with me being overseas until January. Will I be interviewed? Etc? Is it a pretty streamlined process? Thanks!!
I don't know what Cap 1's process is, but I would take a few precautions. Put the dispute in writing under the Fair Credit Billing Act so that this can't go on your credit report. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fcb.htm File a police report, an id theft affidavit, and a fraud alert at the credit reporting agencies, just in case anything pops up in the future. http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/ http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/pdf/affidavit.pdf
I agree with Pale Rider. Be sure to dispute the charge amount in writing, sent CRRR to CapOne at the address they show on their statements for disputing charges, within 60 days of the statement showing the fraudulent charge. To preserve your rights under FCBA, do not wait in sending in the written dispute. Actually they appear to have caught it quickly. It is common for stolen credit cards to be used to quickly purchase moderate value electronics that can be easily resold for cash. If that is all that was charged, it probably is not worth it for them to do much beyond having you fill out the affidavits. You do want to file the police report to document the theft and preserve your rights under FACTA.
