Papa John's Pizza Complaint - Fraud/Identity Theft - Pizza

Posted by Sparticus on 2006-10-29:

This has always been a fear of mine. You always hear folks who are reluctant to use their credit card on a website because of online fraud, but in reality your credit card number is just as vulnerable (if not more!) in the brick and mortal world. Receipts, carbon-copies laying around... statements... there are tons of ways your credit card number can become compromised. Another potential issue in this case may be the amounts that were charged. If under $25, food places often don't even require a signature... or at least I've noticed that lately.

Posted by UrFriendlyPirate on 2006-10-29:

Yeah..........I have to agree here.

Posted by Skye on 2006-10-29:

One thing I have always done, and now have my husband do, is the copy that the merchant keeps, has our credit card number on it. I always scribble over it, so you cannot read it. Nobody has had a problem with it. The transaction has already gone through, so they have been paid. What I always found weird, is the copy the consumer keeps, has the number x'd out, except for the four last digits. That really is suckful what happened at Papa Johns. I never ordered food on line, so I do not have any experience with it.

Posted by Nohandle on 2006-10-29:

A signature, to my knowledge, is not required on any credit card purchase. Once a transaction has gone through the CC company, the merchant simply writes "phone order" on the customer's copy of the credit card slip, if it's a telephone or online order, and that's the end of that unless there is a problem later.

T.C. if I understand this correctly, a charge of $600.00 was made against your credit card for a purchase made at Popa John's Pizza. Did this individual present a credit card at time of purchase? If so, I expect the employee who accepted your card swiped it through the machine didn't think twice.

I can't remember a time when I presented a credit card, the merchant asked for additional identification. Perhaps the time has come.

Posted by dab3427 on 2006-10-29:

Skye, that sounds like a very good idea to do! I'll start doing that myself too. Thanks for the idea! :)

Posted by Nohandle on 2006-10-29:

Skye, unless a merchant has the most updated software on his credit card option it will in fact show all digits. Good idea on scratching out all the numbers, but still remember the merchant was privey to the entire number, but at least it keeps those in between on the straight and narrow.

Posted by Skye on 2006-10-29:

Oh I know it's not full proof, but at least my number won't be out there with the rest of their credit card receipts. Believe me, I carry a black slim sharpie and cross out my number almost to the point of it going through the paper. Like I said, nobody has ever had a problem, since the transaction has been approved, payment made. It does make me feel just a little bit safer. Technology is a wonderful thing, but it has also caused so much trouble for others, like the person who started this complaint. It just amazes me for such a large transaction, they didn't even ask for ID. We just went shopping the other day, and bought about 40 bucks worth of stuff, and they asked my husband for his drivers license.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2006-10-29:

How did the police track you down simply by your name? You said someone stole someone else's credit card but used your name...I'm not understanding this, I would think they would have gone after the person who was the owner of the card that was stolen. Also, if these were placed on the phone, were they delivered or picked up? Because if they were delivered and all at the same address, I'd say they have the guilty party at that house...if it were a pick up, they do have ways of checking security cameras to at least see who picks up the pizza.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2006-10-29:

...What I'm saying about them just using your name with someone else's credit card...an example would be if Tonya Smith stole a credit card belonging to Betty Styles but used my name Mary Task...then the credit card would have been tracked to the owner, Betty Styles...because Betty Styles SS# would be on the account and the bill would have gone to her...while Mary Task is just a name and nothing more.

Posted by DORCAS on 2006-10-29:

I'm wondering why a bank wouldn't be concerned enough to call on $600.00 worth of pizza and call the owner of the card. I think it would look like unusual activity. Maybe thats what has happened here I'm just a bit confused at what actually went down. I do like the idea of blacking out the cc# I never thought of doing that. Great idea. I own a heavy duty paper shredder and nothing with any of my info goes in the regular trash. And with all the junk mail that comes in each day with personal info this sucker gets full in about 2weeks. Like Skye said, technology is good but at the same time it can be really bad. Gotta stay on your toes these days.

Posted by TheNewSheriff on 2006-10-29:

I'd add extra cheese for a total of $601.00.

Posted by Demonoid Phenomenon on 2006-10-30:

The irony of this is just sickening. When I worked retail, we were required to ask for an ID for all credit card transactions (not so for debits; the PIN was considered their 'ID'). The sheer number of people who gave me unending s@#t for even asking was astounding. "Nobody else asks for my ID!" "Why do you need to see it?!", and so forth were a few of the reponses I received. Granted, lots of people were happy that we asked, but at least as many acted like it was the biggest, most unecessary hassle ever. Now, what do you think those same people who were so opposed to showing their IDs would have done if we had accepted their card from someone who'd stolen it? Yep..."Why don't you people check for ID?!" Just can't win.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2006-10-30:

Our bank recently started a "tap and go" debit card. This has to be one of the dumbest ideas. You don't have to show ID or even sign anything, you just tap the debit card on their little machine and take your purchase and leave...a dream for all thiefs...I never activated mine because I just think what if someone did get ahold of it, my bank account would be wiped out in no time.

Posted by UrFriendlyPirate on 2006-10-30:

Good observation, DB. We'll be watching this in the future.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2006-10-30:

Thank you PirateWithStar.

Posted by Ponie on 2006-10-30:

I certainly agree, Debtor. For just that very reason I've never activitated mine either. I periodically check my online banking accounts and regular credit cards so am on top of those pretty much. Hate to admit I'm paranoid enough to not even use a debit card. I'm afraid it would be too easy for me to forget to enter an expenditure and think I have more money in my account than is actually there. Once lost a credit card. Discovered the loss about two days after last using it. Called the company. They canceled it immediately and sent me a new one. Found it about two weeks later where it had slid between my desk and a file cabinet. It's my money and I try to watch it carefully.

Posted by TheNewSheriff on 2006-10-30:

Oh yeah, extra pepperoni too. $602.00

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2006-10-30:

Hey Sheriff...I've got some Pizza I'd like to sell to you and I'll only charge you $400.00 with the works!

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2006-10-30:

...and I'll deliver it to you personally.

Posted by DORCAS on 2006-10-31:

TheNewSheriff: Now don't go adding extra thick crust or you're gonna go over the limit and dip into that overdraft protection at 30%interest.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2006-10-31:

LOL!

Posted by T.C. on 2006-11-04:

Just to make sure everyone is clear on what happened. The order of pizzas took place from December to February. They were delivered. The police tracked me down because it was my telephone number that was used and they had them delivered to my address. So of course the police would assume it was me. At the time the pizzas were delivered I was at work. The only time the merchant is not required to obtain a signature is if it was done by internet or by telephone and the merchandise is being shipped by the postal service,ups,fed ex, etc. If the merchant is personally delivering the merchandise they are required to obtain a signature. The pizza company was aware because the cardholder kept doing chargebacks, in other words the cardholder was disputing the transactions and the money was being taken from their credit card. Whenever you order pizza you are required to sign the receipt, acknowledging delivery of the pizza and to show that you received the merchandise that is to protect you and the merchant. The reason I say it was an inside job because anyone would have been aware that something was going on if 1. They kept getting chargebacks and 2. The name that it was being delivered to did not match the name on the credit card. But other concern was the fact that the when I spoke to the owner of Papa Johns he had a I don't care attitude. He was not sympathetic with me at all, even though all charges were dropped. Even the Judge apoligized for the misunderstanding and told me since I am a college student and also have a pretty good job if this should effect it in any way he would write me a letter. The owner of Papa Johns said Oh Well (basically)...Not even an apology. And when I told him I think someone in his company had something to do with it...He told me impossible and said that he was ending the conversations for the allegations I was making...Even after I pointed out the facts.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2006-11-09:

I would think it was done by someone living close enough to get the pizzas at your house...did any neighbors ever see anyone hanging around your house waiting for pizza?? That is alot of nerve...and taking a big chance too.