My life outside flying can be pretty mundane. It involves going to work, fiddling with computers, making people happy that their problems are resolved, and rinsing and repeating.
However yesterday, I got a text message from MBNA UK – who I hold a legacy BMI Diamond Club Credit card with (mainly as its an easy way to get Avios without dealing with American Express).
Here’s the message – with bits redacted.
That’s not a message you want to get whilst you’re fiddling with a server so it sends out network policies correctly.
So… What to do? Well, I contacted my provider within a minute of that message going out.
If you suspect the message is a fraud – it might be best to ring the provider directly rather than respond by text. I had a previous number from MBNA that matched this number, but I rung them anyway to find out what the heck was going on.
Sadly – it was confirmed that my card has been blocked due to possible fraud. A tiny bit of digging indicated that no vendor was owning up, rather that the card was on a list provided by Visa/Mastercard/Amex to MBNA as one that could be at risk, and thus MBNA went and blocked it.
The really annoying thing? Seven Business Days to get a new card. Considering I was about to go shopping for a fair few flights, this is unwelcome timing.
Thankfully, I have other resources when it comes to buying tickets.
What can you do if it happens to you? The answer sadly is not a lot – other than contact your card provider as soon as possible to establish what has happened, then monitor your statements for suspicious transactions.
Admittedly, the time I had my credit card stolen in France, there were transactions on the card within 30 minutes of it being nicked (Mainly at McDonalds at Orly Airport), and it was a quick call to the card halted, and another telephone call to get that money refunded from my provider.
Annoying – but bearable.
But again, it proves the quicker you notice these odd transactions and fraud – the better… for your own financial health.
Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond – Your no-nonsense guide to network news, honest reviews, with in-depth coverage, unique research as well as the humour and madness as I only know how to deliver.
Follow me on Twitter at @EconomyBeyond for the latest updates! You can also follow me on Instagram too!
Also remember that as well as being part of BoardingArea, we’re also part of BoardingArea.eu, delivering frequent flyer news, miles and points to European reader