Posted by CharlotteTX on 5/15/09 9:54am
Msg #288580

No more FedEx accounts for me...

Someone high jacked my FedEx account number in another state. They bought supplies at the FedEx/Kinko store and shipped packages and it was charged to my account and paid thru my credit card. I was checking my bank account and low and behold....scratching my head......when did I do this? I hadn't bought or shipped (that I paid for) in forever ! Well 2 months later, I finally was refunded my money. I canceled my account. I don't think I'll be giving out anymore cc#'s just to get supplies. I am glad I check my bank acct. regularly or I might have been out quite a bit.

Reply by Shoshana Roller on 5/15/09 10:05am
Msg #288582

That can happen with anything.

Somebody once got hold of one of my cc #'s and bought some stuff at a store in Paris. There are many devices out there that these crooks get hold of to find our numbers. It cannot be stopped. We just need to be very vigilant.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 5/15/09 11:11am
Msg #288590

It can be stopped

See my post below. A virtual number can be generated for a specific amount and that can only be used only once. After that , it doesn't matter who has it or what they try to charge. It won't work. Check with your credit card company.

Reply by Les_CO on 5/15/09 10:05am
Msg #288583

I have a FedEx account tied to my Costco Amex Card (for the discount) I use it maybe a couple of times a month. How did they get your account number? Does this mean that when I put my account number on an ‘airbill’ that anyone seeing this number can use it??? That is real scary......

Reply by raiderpup on 5/15/09 10:32am
Msg #288584

In theory, yes anyone can use it and it is a shame our country has come to this. I always use the SS, TC receipent name and account number on all airbills in BOTH shipper and receipent areas of the airbill. It eliminates someone using my information and any chargebacks. I do this for both FedEx and UPS. It isn't right as these companies are on a zip code based "fee" meaning that the further from your zip code, the higher the rate being paid. If you ship from 91006 to 17055 the fee is more than shipping to the same zip code or a closer one. As a FedEx employee, I am using my alias in this post for obvious reasons.

Reply by Les_CO on 5/15/09 12:52pm
Msg #288604

I have a 24 hour Kinko’s close to me. I always try to drop off my FedEx packages there. And….contrary to most that post here, I enter my name/ address/phone number, as sender, I also put the borrowers name in the “billing reference” line, and ask for a receipt. At least if the docs are lost I can prove I sent ‘something’ to the title company. I have never had a charge back, but when Kinko’s scan in the account number they can tell if it’s valid or not. If not, I don’t send, I call title and ask for instructions. I’ve never had a problem with someone else using my account…but then again I’ve never been asked for an ID? I do use my account, sometimes $100 plus a month. What gets me when I send something I get a $26 shipping charge and an extra $7 for gas/mileage surcharge and Title pays $6 for the same thing! I don’t know how to limit my Costco Amex card, or if I can, but then again sometimes my bill is over a thousand dollars…so I’m not sure how to protect myself, I only send from Denver…so if someone out-of-state uses my account I’d think I’m held harmless?

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 5/15/09 11:08am
Msg #288589

My protection..

Some cards have a feature called a "virtual credit card number". It's generated with my home computer when you sign on to the site. I set dollar and time limits. It also allows me to review any pending charges before I approve them. So if a shipping company tries to hit me with a charge that I didn't authorize, then I don't approve it and it's rejected. If the company thinks they have a legitimate claim, then they can contact me and we'll talk.

That being said, I have had a Fedex account many years before I began loan signings and I have never had any issues whatsoever. In fact, I have never had any issues with any of the shipping companies that I have had an account with.

Reply by Virginia/PA on 5/15/09 1:23pm
Msg #288609

Re: My protection.. - PayPal has a similar one time card no

If you have a PayPal account, you can download the PayPal Toolbar and you can make online purchases by generating a one-time, one-use, credit card number for a particular purchase and never use that number again. Of course, PayPal uses the card(s)/info they have on you to make the "real" transaction.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 5/15/09 12:22pm
Msg #288599

Because of FedEx trying to charge me for docs shipped on the title company's account number, I no longer use my name and address as shipper. Getting rid of the charge to your FedEx account can be nearly impossible.

Reply by bahama on 5/15/09 1:00pm
Msg #288605

When I am running out of supplies I call one of my clients and they let me use their account number to order supplies. Maybe you can check into that, or you can go to the drop boxes and get supplies that way. It is not cheating because they put them there for people to use anyway.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 5/15/09 1:02pm
Msg #288607

I get my supplies directly from the FedEx depot. n/m

Reply by Todd/OH on 5/15/09 4:01pm
Msg #288623

I've never had a problem ordering supplies online from either FedEx or UPS. I've never had a billing issue with FedEx. I've had two with UPS. I wouldn't trust them to take care of my pet rock.

Reply by MW/VA on 5/15/09 8:56pm
Msg #288641

Scary part of this is that it could be "inside" stuff. Fedex employees have access to looking up account #s. I wonder if any of these companies do a background check on their employees. Again, it could just be a random thing.
I've never had any issues with my Fedex acct. I use it all the time to prepare shipping labels online (billing recipient, of course), order supplies, etc. "Never say never", but I've never been backcharged by Fedex. UPS is another story, and I got burned for shipping on a couple of shipments where the "recipient" went out of business.