jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I appreciate your concern, but this was not a scam.

I look at my CC accounts every day just to make sure everything is okay. When I signed on yesterday, there was a notice. "There is an issue with your account. Please call this number." When I called the number, the man had to verify my identity - name, address, phone. Then he had to send a code to my cell phone. I had to find it and turn it on. But that was just the beginning.

I had to go through verification using the cell phone - shooting a five-minute video of myself, taking a picture of my driver's license, etc. This was not a speedy process. My phone would not cooperate with their system to shoot video or stills, so I gave up.

A few hours later, I saw an email asking me if the last three transactions were legitimate. I said they were, and that solved the problem. Synchrony Bank has cards for Amazon, Sam's, eBay, Lowe's, and Guitar Center. When I check on one account, I can see all five.

Synchrony does that occasionally - asking me if certain charges were legitimate. They have also closed my account and issued new cards when they think there is suspicious activity. I guess, "Better safe than sorry."

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

I hope you are correct that it was not a scam. I would never call a number or click on a link that was in an email but would just call the bank using the number I already have for them. What they asked you to do is pretty much exactly what scammers are looking for to steal your identity.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, it was okay.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Thorough is better.
Especially nowadays...

Burtzy Loc: Bronx N.Y. & Simi Valley, CA

There is a government approved site called id.me that does the same thing for driver's licenses, passports, etc. Once approved, the process, while still a bit onerous, is much simpler.

JBuckley

Identity is getting more difficult to protect and preserve, every year.
The government wants to do-away with cash purchases, but the stores and banks want to [track] our spending habits and our personal lives thru credit cards and transfers m.
The only (good) feature of cashless-society, is that drug dealers will be declaring who, what, where , and when they sell their poison products, or sell their internationally, kidnapped children.
We might enjoy that one aspect of money transfers?

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

I have a debit/credit card through my bank. There have been times when I have placed an order and I get a message from the bank (even in non-business hours) regarding the transaction asking if it is legitimate. They go through a few processes to corroborate my and their identity. I also have accounts with a Federal Credit Union and they do similar checks as appropiriate.

I do have one account with synchrony bank but when it is paid the account will be cancelled. I had a previous dealing with that bank that was very disappointing and unpleasant. This current acount is being watched very carefully to avoid anything like the prior one. I would have used a different bank if I had had advance information that it was with Synchrony.

Just my personal ecperience. YMMV

Toby

I agree. I'll bet the guy who got your video is still laughing. Why would you ever call a number given to you in a situation like this? If he has your card info he can access it directly. It's probably too late but I would call the card phone number and ask if your experience was legitimate.

Dannj

I generally ignore messages like that. If I’m concerned I’ll call the number on my card to verify the message is legit.

usnret Loc: Woodhull Il

Good Grief Jerry!! You were okay with them taking a five-minute video of yourself? My first thought would be that I'm dealing with some sort of perverted whacko here and hung up!

mr spock Loc: Fairfield CT

I agree with you completely.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

I put a tip in a restaurant charge that the credit company thought was too large and notified me. I told them that it was legit, and thanked them for looking after my security

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Sometimes, a bank will decline a purchase of an item in a foreign country, so I use another card. CC companies must lose millions to fraudulent charges. I wonder when the law will be changed to make us pay for those charges. We lost the income tax deduction for the interest we pay many years ago.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

It's funny how that works. When the charge comes through, it is for just the meal, and the tip comes through as a separate charge later. I like rounding up to an even dollar amount.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Our bank basically asked us if a large check for <amount> submitted for payment was legit. I guess it was out of our range of "normal amounts". I like that!!!
It was for a new heating system.......