Larry3215

I stent a buddy of mine to purchace a charger from FMA a couple of weeks ago.

He has a special checking account he uses just for web purchases that he only keeps minimal $$ in.

A few days after his purchase from FMA, he started seeing charges show up from porn sites.

He closed the account and got the charges reversed - except for over draft charges of about $75.00.

He tells me that after talking to FMA, they say they have made changes in the way they handle account numbers/info on thier site and this shouldnt happen again.

However - Id suggest that anyone who has made a recent purchase from FMA check your accounts for unauthorized charges.

firemanbill

That may explain it...

I had someone try to buy a portable DVD player form Staples and have it shipped to TN somewhere. Staples called me to confirm the purchase and of course I told them no.

The only place I use that card is for fuel and buying stuff online. Cancelled that card and am getting a new one. Close call...

Larry3215

Glad you caught it!

Ive started using payPal almost exclusively for my online purchases. They have a new feature where it will generate a "one time use" card for each purchase.

Even if someone steals the number - its no good so they cant charge anything.

You can still pay via your checking account or a credit card, but it hides your accounts and info from the vendor.

firemanbill

Yeah me too Larry, gotta thank the rep from Staples for that though. Good on them for checking!

I use pay pal mostly except for the places that don't take it. Primarily the card is just for getting fuel.

Larry3215

That was good of them to call!

With the single use card option, you can use PayPal at any site that takes MasterCard/Visa. They have no idea its not a regular credit card and cant tell its PayPal. Asfar as the vendor is concerned its just a regular credit card purchase.

Pretty nifty feature actually.

Rabbitcreekok

You can also get a PayPal security key that adds one more level of security to any transaction. It generates a new six digit number every time you use it. Don't ask me how it works, but it does.

constantCrash

Well, that explains it. I got a call from Visa this morning asking about charges to my CC. I was trying to figure out how it could have been stolen. I'm paranoid about my CC information. Rather pissed at FMA that they allowed this to happen. and Didn't e-mail customers about the possible breach.

darylm44

I had a similar problem with my Visa card. However, I did not purchase anything from FMA. The last Internet purchase was from Hobbycity. I use this card a lot so I am not saying it had anything to do with Hobbycity.

One of the good things about a platinum visa is that you are insured for this kind of stuff. Bank of America called and asked if we had been using our card that morning as several unusual purchases had been made. Turns out someone was buying gold or silver overseas with my number. They canceled the card and issued a new one. I have been thinking of getting a limited card to use online, I guess I should since this seems to be an increasing problem.

CHELLIE

Hi darylm use palPal when purchasing anything from overseas, its Safe and Insured, if any thing happens, you will get your money back, I wont buy anything now with a credit card, only with PayPal Take care, Chellie

Larry3215

I agree with that 100%. They should have let ALL their customers know as soon as there was even a hint of a problem.

Bill G

It's a shame, but they try to hide it, to avoid liabilities. They should be liable, as they are not storing the numbers on a remote computer, per regulation and accepted responsible practice.

DSB (spelled backwards to prevent an internet search) did the same thing, and only came clean after someone announced it. The thief tried to get 100 bucks from me from CCBill. They got 7 grand from a guy in France, who I agree with, should be paid by the rc firm storing numbers in an insecure manner.

When they finally announced it, they only said "possible infraction". This is when they knew that several thousand numbers were stolen.

I do not believe in second chances for any firm that makes the mistake of storing card numbers on an internet accessible computer. It's not a mistake to store numbers on a server. It's flat out laziness and irresponsibility. I'm neither in the business of changing people or nor do I care if they change. There's too many responsible folks out there who already cared and would never do these things, that deserve the business.

Murocflyer

How long ago did you guys purchase from FMA? I have made a few purchases some time ago.

Thanks,

Frank

firemanbill

Frank I can't say for certain they were the culprit in my case. Just a possibility.

Larry3215

My buddies purchase were within the last 2-3 weeks. No telling how long before that the thefts were going on or how long after it took to get fixed. We can only HOPE it truely HAS been fixed.

Larry3215

I dont post on the "other" board any more, but it might be good for someone to pass this info along to the guys on RCG if FMA isnt going to be responsible and notify their customers.

If it was me getting ripped off Id sure want to know as soon as possible.

Larry3215

I just posted a warning on RCU in the Club house.

I dont want to screw FMA, but the customers have a need to know that out weighs that in my opinion.

Kirsty_Carnage

Who are FMA? Sorry but I've not heard of these guys.

Kirsty

Larry3215

Sorry - I assumed everyone knew them!

They have been around for a long time. FMA is owned/run by Fred Marks - a long time RC guy. Used to be active in the AMA a lot as well. They were the big Kokam lipo dealer for ages and ages in the early days of lipos and electric flight.

http://fmadirect.com/

mpotter187

Got hit too I have ordered from them a few times. Had two pending charges for Napster two weeks ago on my account though they still had the old expiration date so they never went through. After I canceled the card, I called napster and they reversed the charges no problem.

I now have my temporary cards setup through paypal when I order stuff. At least I know where it came from now. Its a good idea to regularly check your account too I check mine daily and caught the fraudulent charges right away.

groundrushesup

So do you think your friend would say that he got an admission of this fraudulent third-party activity from them when they spoke? This kind of rumor can sink a small business, and I'd like to be sure before I cancel my current preorder with them. I mean, I'm gonna put a call in on Monday, but still, I'm sure we all know that in a community like ours, negative word of mouth is probably even more power than positive, and I'd like to be sure it is not spurious.

And I so want one of the first Multi-Chem Cellpro 4S's!

Larry3215

Good point.

I agree and I would NOT have said anything unless I thought it was a credible situation. The risk of having your credit identity stolen is just to large to NOT say something if there is a risk.

I'll elaborate as much as I know for sure now and I'll double check with my buddy and get back to you.

He told me that when the charges appeared on his account he suspected FMA as that was the only recent activity with that account. He only uses it for web purchaces.

He said he called them and they told him "they changed the way they were handling things on their web site so that this wouldnt happen again" or words to that effect.

Not exactly an admission, but it sure sounded like it to me. He was very pissed at FMA.

By the way, earlier this evening I sent out this same warning to everyone in my club. Ive been recommending FMA's Cellpro charger to all the guys in my club as a good first/safe lipo charger for a long time now. I hate the thought that some of them may be at risk.

Within a few minutes I got the first reply from another club member who purchaced from FMA a few weeks ago and then 2 days ago - about the same time my buddy saw his activity - he had hits on his credit card.

Napster charges this time. He had to cancell the card and was re-imbursed on the charges.

He is NOT certain its FMA but he is going to contact FMA Monday as well.

FMA is a long established company with - as far as I know - a very good reputation.

I think it would be prudent to contact them and see what they say.

I would recomend that everyone - buying from ANY online source - use a safe method to do so. Paypal or most major cards have protection of one sort or another.

Be sure YOU are as safe as possible and the order should be fine.

Im NOT recommending people stop buying from FMA. Just check your credit and be carefull.

groundrushesup

Larry,

Thanks for the clarification. I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say that I appreciate the heads-up.

Thanks again,
Josh

Cellpro - Say it ain't so?!

Kirsty_Carnage

Thanks Larry, now I know who not to deal with, you have to be so careful out there, I think the slogan should be "Who's using your card today?", not "Whats in your wallet"

Kirsty x

Murocflyer

This could happen with any company. I wouldn't stopping buying from them as they say they have fixed the problem. Everyone needs to be cognizant on credit card charges no matter who they buy from.

FMA will still get my business but I appreciate you putting this out Larry. I'll make sure I tell my CFO to watch out.

Frank

Murocflyer

PS I just checked RCG and did not see anything about this over there.

Frank