Have you received a credit charge from 506 PBC SAN ANTONIO TX on your bank statement that you’re unsure of? Are you wondering if it’s a legit credit charge or if you’re a victim of a scam? This article shed a light on what 506 PBC SAN ANTONIO TX is, why you’re seeing a charge from there, and how to prevent future charges.
What is 506 PBC SAN ANTONIO TX?
506 PBC SAN ANTONIO TX is the payment alias used by a handful of vending machines (Soda Machines). The PBC stands for Pepsi Bottling Co. You’ve received this charge because you or someone who has access to your credit card bought an item off a vending machine.
This could be at Methodist Stone Oak Hospital or any place that uses a vending machine in Texas.
Result: there is a charge on your account.
However, if you’re certain you didn’t use a vending machine then you are a victim of credit card fraud.
What To Do If You’re a Victim of Credit Card Fraud:
Inform Your Credit Card Issuer
Immediately contact your bank and inform them of the fraudulent transaction. You could do this by either reporting the fraud in their app or on their website. If fraud is confirmed, the issuer will likely cancel that card and issue you a new one with different numbers.
Update Your Passwords and Enable Two Factor Authentication
The second step you should take is updating your passwords. Make sure you check all of your other credit card accounts to see if they’ve also been compromised. It’s important to note that, even though only one card may have suspicious charges, you can’t be sure how the fraudster got the information. So make sure you change all of your passwords and PINs just to be safe.
Report the Fraud To Relevant Authorities
Report the scam to relevant authorities and organizations. This includes:
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): If you are in the United States, you can file a complaint with the IC3 at https://www.ic3.gov/.
- Your Local Consumer Protection Agency: Contact your local consumer protection agency or the equivalent regulatory body in your country.
- Better Business Bureau (BBB): File a complaint with the BBB if the online store is based in the United States.
How To Avoid Unauthorised Charges on your Credit Card
- Read the small print (terms & conditions) carefully before entering into any agreement or making a purchase, online or offline, no matter however long this may take.
- Do proper research before using your card on any platform or online store
- Make sure the terms & conditions box has not been pre-ticked.
- If you subscribed for a free trial make sure you cancel the subscription before the due date if you want to cancel it.
- Never provide bank details to companies without doing some prior research beforehand.
- Keep a copy of any advertisement (print it or take a screenshot) that you reply to, and to keep a note of the webpage.
- Check your bank/payment card statements regularly for unexpected payments.
How To Shop Smartly and Avoid Online Shopping Scams
Aside from the obvious too good to be true discount sale, here are other ways to identify a scam website;
Check Website Registration Age
How old is the website? The domain age of a website tells a lot about a store’s legitimacy or transparency. Websites below 6 months old are often considered unsafe. You can find out a website’s age by checking on Who.is ( a free domain checker tool)
Find Out If The Website Has SSL Encryption
find out if the website is secured with SSL encryption. (https and padlock symbols). If the padlock symbol doesn’t appear near the website’s URL, then it means your personal and financial information is at risk at the store.
Verify The Business Address
Does The website provide return address? If Yes (Copy the address and paste on your browser. Google map would show if it is a real warehouse address or a residential address) If the address has also been used by other websites you’d see reviews in search results.
Search For Reviews Online
Are there customer reviews online? (It is advised that you sit it out if there are no customer reviews of the store. However if you’re not patient enough to wait you can send a mail to us to verify if the store is legit)
Final Thoughts
You have been charged by 506 PBC SAN ANTONIO TX because you bought something off a vending machine. However, if you’re certain you didn’t make the transaction, there’s a likelihood that someone else has access to your credit card.
Have you been charged by 506 PBC SAN ANTONIO TX? please share your experience below
See other Charges; Mail Center LLC, CLEENG charge.