Apparently I need to shop more often...

[Apple]

I use my credit card for everything I possibly can (to get the reward points), but apparently, I don't shop often enough at enough different places.  I've had to call my credit card company four times to verify purchases this week.  One purchase they flagged was a $10 purchase for sugar and laundry soap at Walgreens!  I realize it's been a while since I've shopped there, but they had a buy one get two free deal on detergent...

My son did buy some games from a website we've used a few times, and I bought a couple travel shirts from another website I haven't shopped from for a while (total was around $40 for four shirts), but it's not like my spending went completely crazy.

Anyone else dealing with their spending getting flagged over the holidays?

[msventoux]

I haven't had to call my credit card company, but I did get a courtesy call left for me that there was some unusual activity and I should call them if it wasn't initiated by me.

I've mostly been shopping online for everything, including groceries, for the last year or more.  The last week I've actually been doing some local shopping and had a number of transactions.  None were a huge amount, but I guess the number of transactions was enough to get their attention. 

[mollyanna58]

I have had two items autopaid by one credit card for a long time; literally years for my newspaper subscription.  Most months these are the only items charged to that card. I got a call recently about possible fraudulent activity and to please verify: those 2 routine autopays.

[thyme4change]

We got calls extremely frequently for a while.  We got in the rotation.  They always asked about the small purchases.  That appears to be a trigger because of "test purchases."  If a thief can buy $3 worth of candy bars - then they go out and buy a TV or whatever.

My favorite was when I was traveling for business.  I was in another city, and bought gas and paid for dinner for 6 people and went shopping at the mall and bought some clothes.  My credit card company called me and asked if I had bought a $2 train ticket from the station that is a block from my house.  My answer "Yes, and I bought all this stuff in New Jersey too."

But, my husband and I went to California a few weeks ago and bought him a very expensive jacket.  Before we got back to the car from the store my Mom called and said the credit card company had called to ask about some purchase we made.  LOL - that seemed like a good thing.  

[Artemis Windsong]

When the cc company or anyone else is looking out for your well being, be grateful.

[Apple]

Yeah, I didn't mind too much, and only had to pull out a different card for one transaction (others were online when my card was stopped).  But, it is a little embarrassing to try to make a purchase and have your card declined, especially when you're barely scratching your credit limit. 

Have to go buy gas today, hopefully won't run into the issue again!

[Apple]

Nov 30, 2014 17:10:10 GMT -5 Ratchets said:

I can send you my Christmas wish list if you think it would help  !

You're ok if I just have it delivered here for you to pick up, right?

[weltschmerz]

I try not to buy anything on credit, although I do have several cards.
I use a debit card. If I can't afford it, I don't buy it.

[Apple]

Nov 30, 2014 20:43:12 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

I try not to buy anything on credit, although I do have several cards.
I use a debit card. If I can't afford it, I don't buy it.

Same here (bolded part).  I use the credit card for the rewards points, I've never had an over-spending issue, I'm a natural saver.  And, it's paid off in full each month, so I never pay interest/fees.  I rarely use my debit card anymore, even with just a $10 purchase I end up thinking "I could have 'made' 20 cents for my vacation!"--if I have to spend the money anyway, I may as well get something back.

[Miss Tequila]

Nov 30, 2014 20:43:12 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

I try not to buy anything on credit, although I do have several cards.
I use a debit card. If I can't afford it, I don't buy it.

I charge everything I buy, down to my $1.90 cup of coffee! But I don't carry a balance so I pay no interest. I rack up $600 or more in cash rewards each year just for using my card. If merchants gave me a discount to pay cash I would pay cash but they don't so everything goes in the card

[tskeeter]

Nov 29, 2014 23:19:27 GMT -5 Apple said:

I use my credit card for everything I possibly can (to get the reward points), but apparently, I don't shop often enough at enough different places.  I've had to call my credit card company four times to verify purchases this week.  One purchase they flagged was a $10 purchase for sugar and laundry soap at Walgreens!  I realize it's been a while since I've shopped there, but they had a buy one get two free deal on detergent...

My son did buy some games from a website we've used a few times, and I bought a couple travel shirts from another website I haven't shopped from for a while (total was around $40 for four shirts), but it's not like my spending went completely crazy.

Anyone else dealing with their spending getting flagged over the holidays?

I'd guess that what flagged your account may have been the size of your purchase and the merchant involved.  When credit cards are stolen, they are often tested by making small purchases.  Often at busy, national merchants with lots of convenient locations.  Prior to using the stolen card information to make large purchases.  Maybe one of the lawyers with some criminal experience can weigh in, but I suspect the small dollar test purchase exposes the thief to a lower level of prosecution if they get caught.  (Test purchases were made in the cases where I've had credit card information stolen.)