Lots of people have reported being charged by Anaheim Public Library for transactions they’re unsure of. This article shed a light on reasons why you’ve this mysterious charge, and what to do in this scenario.
But first, lets take a brief look at where exactly East Anaheim Library is located and what services they offer. Who knows, you might have used one of their services.
What services does East Anaheim Library offer?
East Anaheim Public Library is located in California. Aside from being a public library where people go to read, they offer services such as
- Audio & eBooks sale/rent
- Blu-Rays
- Children’s Room
- DVDs
- Music CDs for Children
- Public Computers
Lately, there has been complaints from people who’ve never used any of the services from Anaheim Public Library but have a charge from them. If you’re one of such people, see the reason for that below.
Why you’ve an unauthorized charge from East Anaheim Library
The reason why you’ve a charge from them this; you’re a victim of credit card fraud. A cybercriminal have gotten hold of your credit card details and is testing it by placing small charges on it using ‘Anaheim Public Library’ or ‘East Anaheim Library’ as a payment alias. Maybe, it’s someone who lives in Anaheim.
The criminal could have gotten it your credit card info when you shopped on unsecured websites or during a data breach leak.
This could have happened through various means, such as hacking into databases, intercepting transactions, or exploiting vulnerabilities in online platforms.
Once you do nothing about the small charges, the fraudster would proceed to wipe off all the money in the account by making huge cash withdrawals or buy expensive things online/offline.
What To Do
Contact Your Credit Card Issuer
Immediately call your financial provider and explain that you’re a victim of fraudulent transactions. You could do this by either reporting the fraud in their app or on their website. Request that any fraudulent accounts that you didn’t authorize be closed and the charges erased so that you’re not responsible for the bill.
Request For a New Card
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 third 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 Prevent Credit Card Theft and Stay Alert
Don’t shop on Unsecure websites.
Make sure you verify that a website is authentic before making a purchase. You can do this by looking at the URL tab. Does it have a ‘padlock sign’. If it does, it means it has SSL encryption protecting user’s personal and financial data. If it doesn’t, then you should stay away as your credit card details could be stolen or leaked
Don’t Give Out Your Credit Card Information
Beware of phishing scams that aim to ask for your personal and credit card information. Never send your credit card information via email or give it over the phone unsolicited.
Don’t use public Wi-Fi for financial transactions.
You can get hacked using public Wi-Fi. Cybercriminals use a combination of technical know-how and free tools to sneak into unsecured networks and steal sensitive information. This could include your passwords, banking information, or personal data. So stay off Public Wi-Fi when making financial transactions.
Don’t Store Card Numbers With Online Retailers
Even when you’ve taken steps to confirm you’re using a reputable online store, resist the urge to save your card information in your online shopping account.
The concern isn’t that the retailer will misuse your data, but that doing so could allow a criminal who obtains your shopping account password to make purchases without even having to know your card number.
Shred unwanted documents that show your credit card number.
Whether you shop online or in-person, protecting sensitive information such as your credit card number is essential to your financial health. If you want to dispose an unwanted document that contains your credit card details, always shred it before discarding, or burn it up in the fireplace.
Conclusion
You’ve an unauthorized charge from East Anaheim Library because you’re a victim of a credit card fraud or data breach. You should promptly contact your bank and request for a new card. If the charge remains undisputed, the scammers would charge the card more.
While you’re here, see my latest credit charge alert – p1fitch charge on credit card explained