Credit Card Scam

I received a call yesterday from a familiar number +601300 80 8888. Hmmm...where have I seen this number before. When I answered the phone, an automated message announced that she was calling from AmBank and I had an outstanding bill of RM2000 from my unpaid credit card. Following that, I could press '1' to repeat, or press '9' to speak to customer service.

I clicked '9' and a man picked up instantly, a very unusual situation for most call centres, don't you think?
Me: Hi! I don't have a credit card with your bank!
Him: Ma'm, could you give me your name, IC number and telephone number, the call centre is very busy now and we will call you back shortly.
Me: Name, number, mumbled IC number (cause you're calling me back. Why do you need my IC number now?)
Odd, you called me, didn't you? Shouldn't you have my name and number? Anyway, I left my name and number and hung up.

And then I stopped and checked the number again. I logged on to AmOnline and their customer care number read 1300 80 8888. I smelt something fishy and as my chatbox with Z was open, I told her what happened and she told me to be careful.

A few hours later, I got a call from the same number. A guy named Brandon asked for my name and my IC number. I mumbled a few numbers, not intentionally but I was in the meeting room about to start a discussion and my mind was somewhere else.
Brandon: Please hold. Yes Ms. Vanessa Lai, you have an account with us. You opened your account in Ampang on the 9th of June 2008 and you have an outstanding bill of RM2000 as of December 2008. It's registered to this address: ......Kajang
Me: It's Melissa. And WHAT? That's absurd.
Brandon: You would need to call this number (8659 0214) to report it.
Me: What number is this?
Brandon: Aduan Kad Palsu. Please quote the credit card number 5455 1932 8653 1027.
Me: Okay so what happens next? How did this happen? Why should I call? Shouldn't you be calling to report this?
Brandon: No, miss. Since all the details are correct and tally with the information that you have provided us, you have to call.
Me: What? That's not my address! I don't even know where OSK Ampang is! Anyway, what are you going to do about this?
Him: Yes, miss. The bank will report it to the police and we will investigate this matter.

Hmm....

When I got back, I did a quick Google search and was shocked to realise that I have been a potential victim of a credit card scam. Lots of other people have fell for it. Apparently, the number given was an intended Bank Negara number for Aduan Kad Palsu. Upon calling that number, they will ask for your financial details, bank account numbers, ATM card numbers, and the lady from AmBank said that the syndicates have asked people to bank in money into a specific account. A big 'Thank You' to this girl who detailed the incident on her blog that has helped a handful of people.

When I told my family about this over dinner, my brother's girlfriend shared a similar incident where she received a U Mobile bill at her home address. None at home had subscribed to U Mobile and thus, they proceeded to make a police report.

I really wonder what the banks and the police are doing about this. Anyway, be aware, be careful and always question should you receive such calls.

Safe or just paranoid?

Today like any other day, I headed out in the morning to run the usual errands. I turned into a nearby car park and drove down to basement level two, level one is usually fully occupied during that part of the morning. As I turned a corner, a man sprung out and hailed for me to stop. So I stopped my car, wound the window down 2 inches and he says "Hi, my car can't start, could you help me? I need to jump start".

I replied with the quickest response I could think of, "I'm sorry, I'm in a rush". He then says it's okay and got on his phone. I parked a few blocks away and rushed up to an area with people. He looked genuine and in dire need of help but with all the stories that I've heard, I felt I did the right thing. Safety is always top priority when I'm out alone. My siblings and I were brought up to be observant and alert of our surroundings because it's better to be safe than sorry.

Being a lady, would you have done the same thing?

Not Another Weekend Bazaar

Weekend bazaars have been the latest trend around Kuala Lumpur. It is a place to trade second hand items, handmade goods or of late, a place for 'offline' sales for local online boutiques.

There is definitely a different shopping experience when you go to a mall and when you go to a weekend bazaar. In Malaysia, our tropical climate of unpredictable heat and humidity leaves us in a sticky-yucky feeling when away from the comforts of air conditioned places.

Here are a few reasons why weekend bazaars are different from malls:

1. Bargain - Imagine walking into ZARA and demanding RM5 off a dress that you like. A definite no-no, you'd probably have to wait for the next sale and by then, the money that you've set aside has been spent on a much overdue manicure, or the size and colour you want is no longer available. At a weekend bazaar, you get to haggle on what catches your eye.

2. Find hand-made goods - These goods always scream originality and creators usually put in a lot of passion and effort into creating lovely eccentrics.

3. Trade zone - Are you a handbag and shoe 'collector' (a preferred way to categorise compulsive shopper). Be sure to look at every stall for all sizes, shapes and colours. Who knows, you might even stumble upon a good looking designer knock-off.

4. Be too comfortable - it's hot and crowded but then again, where's the fun in it if it's not?

5. Feed a shopping itch for a low price - Ever gotten that before? The need to spend money on something? Weekend bazaars carry a diverse selection of products and is a great place to window shop or to scratch that itch you've been having on something inexpensive.

6. Collectibles - From antique vases to comic books, weekend bazaars are a haven for collectible items.

If you're bored and don't wish to spend a lot of money, weekend bazaars are a definite visit.
For more information on weekend events, visit Chics Closet and Your Shopping Kaki for highlights and updates.