CREDIT CARD FRAUD PROTECTION
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I'm noticing that many members are hitting snags with the bank/ credit card companies automated fraud detection systems when trying to buy tickets. Card sales are being blocked sometime causing time-sensitive sale transactions to fail. This is particularly seen where the sale is technically "overseas" such as Paul's CrowdSurge agency which is UK based. Ideally it may be prudent to contact your bank/ credit card company ahead of a pre-sale/sale day to warn them of your intention to make a large purchase and that you do not want that transaction blocked. Now with so many banks and credit/debit card companies about I cannot advise specifically on how this might be acheived - or even if it is possible at all. But it is certainly well worth doing a little research ahead of sales to see if this is possible. Most cards carry a customer service number on the back of the card - that might be a good starting point. Have any members here got experience of doing exactly this? I know many have been frustrated by these systems and have tales to tell that might serve to assist as well. Martin
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My order wasn't blocked by my credit card company did send me a fraud email alert. I bought from crowdsurge and bought a vip package....believe these definitely are what caused the alert.
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This very thing happened to me tuesday and I lost field seats because of it. I had no idea why I kept getting an error when trying to submit my transaction. After a long process with my bank, I finally got tickets later in the day. I'm in section 136. It was VERY frustrating and nerve wracking!! This is my first Paul show and I'm ecstatic! I hope the seats are good!
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several fans I know who have never bought from crowd surge before had their banks phone them with fraud alerts while they were trying to get their ordereds processed. this was because they were trying to buy from the US to a UK company (crowd surge) make sure you have your current card in hand, and be aware that if you recently got a new card from your bank or credit union that the security code changes when you get a new card. that's the 3 digit number on the card (sometimes on the front, sometimes on the back). and if you try too many times your card will be red flagged and you won't be able to use it with crowd surge at all.
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Great advice. I called my credit card company this morning. Thanks!
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I called my card company Tuesday morning and specifically informed them that I would be making a purchase from a UK-based ticketing agency called Crowd Surge. The woman didn't seem to know why I was calling and said all transactions would be fine as long as they're under $5,000. So, I bought Cincinnati tickets with no problem on Tuesday. However, Wednesday morning, when buying Wrigley tickets, my card was blocked. Fortunately, I was able to use someone else's card. I called the company again and they said that my card was blocked because it was a foreign transaction. Needless to say, I was angry. I told them as clearly as I could that the next time I call with specific details for a future transaction, I would appreciate it if it would go through. So, just a warning to others. I thought calling once would be enough...apparently not.
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my card company has probably seen "Paul McCartney" so many times on my statement that I had no problem, but I know of other people that have had problems.
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I had heard that others were having issues, so I called my bank (Chase) prior to the Cincy presale letting them know. They put a month-long approval on my card allowing foreign transactions. I was also able to purchase Chicago presale with no problems. But, just to be safe I called the bank again just to let them know a similar purchase would be posting (since I'd just bought Cincinnati tickets the day before) and that I certainly wanted both to go through. They acted like I was crazy saying, "of course it will go through...no problems." But - better safe than sorry!!
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Furlow47:
I had heard that others were having issues, so I called my bank (Chase) prior to the Cincy presale letting them know. They put a month-long approval on my card allowing foreign transactions. I was also able to purchase Chicago presale with no problems. But, just to be safe I called the bank again just to let them know a similar purchase would be posting (since I'd just bought Cincinnati tickets the day before) and that I certainly wanted both to go through. They acted like I was crazy saying, "of course it will go through...no problems." But - better safe than sorry!!
It's a good thing you did that, because my credit card was declined when I made my first CrowdSurge purchase. I spent an hour trying over and over again, and called CrowdSurge 3 times (nice people, by the way!) before realizing it might be due to a fraud alert. I have Amex, though, and I think their fraud alert system is a little more sensitive because I used a Visa card for my second CrowdSurge purchase and it went through without a hitch. Better to be safe than sorry, though!
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Excellent feedback, thank you all. I''m delighted to read that this precautionary action is commonplace with credit card companies. And that members are pre-empting problems by doing so. Although it seems to be commonest with CrowdSurge due to the overseas nature of the transaction it can be seen with other agencies if your credit card company sees the card purchase as "unusual" activity. No-one has posted yet how they sourced the appropriate phone number to call - was it the number on the back of the card or a number sourced from the CC company web-pages or a phone directory? Martin
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This was my first time purchasing in a PM presale and I had a lot of error messages with my card. I didn't know Crowd Surge was a foreign company and didn't know it would flag a fraud detection on my card. I do think calling ahead and letting the bank know of the upcoming purchase seems like a good idea. It would've saved me 2 hours
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Martin - I called the number on the back of my credit card.
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The best thing to do is use the number on the back of the card. Even the card companies warn that unsolicited calls to your home by a purported fraud unit could be phony by someone phishing to get your credit card information, and advise you to thank them and hang up and call the number on the back of the card.
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I know it is frustrating when this happens; it has happened to me. However, please remember that the credit companies/banks do this for your own safety. It is a good policy to call ahead of time to let them know exactly who the transaction will be through - that way, it is less likely to be blocked. I didn't have that option this time, since the presale started so suddenly (and we got the e-mail about it 2 hours later : ), but luckily (and amazingly), mine went through. I can't wait to see the man again!
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p.s. - Thank you, Martin, for this thread. You always think of such great information to share here to help us all out! You keep us all reasonably calm, if not quite sane. ops:
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I've bumped this topic as this years new season of ticket sales may be showing similar issues. Read the advice in the earliest posts to maximise the potential to have a smooth problem free ticket purchase. Martin
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yeah just encountered that with my card entered all the correct info.. than I couldn't get into Paypal used another card.. I advise call your bank.. & let them know.. this happened too me with Manchester *& Liverpool 2011... card wouldn't go thru got like the last tix for Liverpool can't call Event Travel.. I emailed them and asked if we could pick up tix at the venue as we always do.. don't wanna have the chance tix lost in post or not arriving at hotel.. since we are coming from different countries... I usually don't worry.. but I do have concerns.. bout tix~
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A sensible thread for sure,i'd never have thought to alrt my bank that,when the times comes,a big purchase is on the way,saves so much time if you let them know
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What happened to the days where you could buy your tickets at the box office/record store IN CASH for HALF THE PRICE of today's "SERVICE" FEES??
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Liverpuddle2:
My order wasn't blocked by my credit card company did send me a fraud email alert. I bought from crowdsurge and bought a vip package....believe these definitely are what caused the alert.
I remember buying $700 worth of Elton John tickets on eBay in 2005 and my C.C. company called me to confirm the charges. I was like, "yeah, that sounds about right."