Throughout the past months, the credit card information of some Ohio Wesleyan students has been compromised.
While the exact locations of the thefts are unknown, all have been in Ohio.
Senior Elise Pitcairn said, “For me, it wasn’t a specific place that I had used my credit card at. My bank told me that a ‘private vendor’ had stolen information from a large group of the bank’s clients.” This took place about three weeks ago.
Pitcairn said she was notified when “her bank called and left a voicemail saying that they would be cancelling my card because multiple people had their information stolen and that they had issued me a new card.” Pitcairn mentioned that none of her money was withdrawn.
Pitcairn said her credit card information had been taken once before during her sophomore year. However, she knew at which store her card information had been stolen.
Pitcairn offered these words of advice: “I would suggest always knowing how much money should be in your account, speaking directly to your bank if a problem arises and cancelling your card as soon as something happens.”
Senior Maria Urbina said her information was compromised in early June. However, Urbina said “around $200 was taken and I got it back after talking to my bank.”
Urbina had her credit card information stolen before, during spring break of 2014. Since the two incidents, Urbina has instituted preemptive security measures.
“Since I work at a bar and get most of my money through tips, I’ve just been paying with cash all the time and that’s been a good and safe alternative for me,” she said.
Senior Lauren Rump, another victim of credit card fraud, said “I practically use my card everywhere I go, so I have no idea where my information was taken.” Her credit card information was compromised about three weeks ago.
“I have a mobile banking app and was checking my balance after a day of shopping when I saw there was a transaction made earlier in the day that I had not authorized or been present for,” said Rump.
Rumps said $66 was charged to her account. “I had to fill out paperwork with my bank and my money has since been credited back to me,” she said.
Rump explained that this had never happen to her in the past.
For future protection, Rump said, “I would suggest trying to have more cash on hand and use that more often than a card, using credit instead of debit more often, since with credit the money isn’t taken off your account immediately, with debit it is, and check your transactions often to make sure your money isn’t being spent without you knowing.”
Rump said she found it odd that so many students have had their information compromised in such a short time span.