EDIT: It wasn’t a scam after all. It turned out to be a legitimate bank alert about a flagged transaction. I’ve received so many phishing texts that I just assumed it was another scam. I called the bank, got everything straightened out, and now they’re sending me a new card. Thanks to everyone here for the advice!
The first 6 digits and the last 4 digits of a credit card aren’t considered sensitive information. The first 6 digits, called the BIN, are used to identify the issuing bank. So, it’s not too hard for scammers to get this info without having your full card number. Always be careful when you get messages like that.
@Perrin
That’s why many people use Apple Pay or Google Wallet. They assign a different card number to every transaction, so even if someone steals the number, it’s not tied to your actual card.
Payton said:
@Perrin
That’s why many people use Apple Pay or Google Wallet. They assign a different card number to every transaction, so even if someone steals the number, it’s not tied to your actual card.
That’s true, but it’s pretty much the same as tap-to-pay with a physical card. Every transaction is encrypted and secure whether you’re using a mobile wallet or a regular card. It’s not really safer, just more convenient.
Corey said:
@Eli
People act like Apple invented it though lol /s
Yeah, and now they think adding USB-C and customizing their home screens is cutting edge.
Corey said:
@Eli
People act like Apple invented it though lol /s
Yeah, and now they think adding USB-C and customizing their home screens is cutting edge.
I’m still waiting for the day I can leave blank spots on my home screen.
@Eli
The snark here is unreal. Not everyone knows that all mobile wallets work the same way. Chill out a bit, it’s just a forum discussion.
Willow said:
@Eli
The snark here is unreal. Not everyone knows that all mobile wallets work the same way. Chill out a bit, it’s just a forum discussion.
Haha, yep! I said Apple Pay because it’s what I use, but it applies to all mobile payments.
Most receipts print the last four digits of your card, so it wouldn’t be too hard for someone to get that info from a store’s trash. It’s just another reason to be cautious with your receipts and account info.
Did you click the link in the text?
Even if you didn’t, it’s probably a good idea to check your credit report for anything unusual.
Finn said:
Did you click the link in the text?
Even if you didn’t, it’s probably a good idea to check your credit report for anything unusual.
No, I didn’t click anything. I just saw the text, closed it, and then checked my bank’s app to see if the transaction was actually there. Of course, it wasn’t. I’m still wondering how they got my card’s last 4 digits and my phone number though.
@Jace
Same thing happened to me. I got a text from my bank asking if I’d tried to make a purchase, but the charge didn’t show up in the app. It was legit though.
I replied ‘no,’ and the bank blocked my card. They sent me a new one after confirming the attempted charge.
@Eli
That’s exactly what happened to me too! I thought it was a scam at first, but I called the bank, and it was a flagged transaction. They handled it and are sending me a new card.
@Jace
If you’ve used your phone number or card online, it’s possible they got the info that way. Might be a good idea to get a new card, just in case.
I’d get a new card just to be on the safe side.
I’m glad you were able to clear it up with your bank! I remember when banks used to call about flagged transactions. I’ve never received a text like that before.
Good job being cautious! You can always look up the phone number that sent the text to see if it’s legit.
It’s also a good idea to call the number on the back of your card, like you did, to confirm everything with your bank. They can tell you whether the message was real or not.
Their security team is always interested if user data gets leaked.
Don’t receipts already show the last 4 digits anyway?
Maybe go ahead and ask your bank for a new card to play it safe.