My BPI Credit Card has been HACKED! (Dispute Journey)

 

Good day, my fellow readers; I want to share the new chapter of my credit card life with you. On my previous blog, I applied for a BPI Secured Credit Card (BPI SCC) last January 2021. Moreover, after all of the four months of happiness, a tragedy comes. That same credit card has been hacked. Yes, my card has a fraud transaction, as you can see below:

The said suspicious transaction was dated April 12, 2021, from WIREX9934 Singapore worth Php. 517.75. How come did they do that? I am still in the Philippines. From my experience, I never recall some suspicious links that I've opened since I am very critical when it comes to that. Also, I always protect my card, and no one can do that unless it is an online or inside-job transaction.

I researched with Wirex9934, and it shows that it is a multi-currency wallet based from Singapore. I suspect that they used my card for topping up their wallet to use it as cash. They are very wise, huh?

After I saw this transaction from my BPI Online last April 13, 2021, I immediately called the BPI phone banking (DTF 1800 1888 9100), and they said that the transaction is worth 14 SGD and only converted to PHP. They said that the transaction is only approved without requiring any OTP or one-time pin from the cardholder. That is the qualification for the fraud dispute of BPI since if you authorize it with OTP, including the reason like "budol-budol call," you are still accountable for that.

Besides, the phone banker immediately blocked my card, requested a replacement, and raised a dispute with a promised date of 4 to 7 banking days. Also, she gave me a disputed number with the BPI Dispute email for follow-up. I asked them if there is a replacement fee, they said 'NO' since it is a fraud. I am astonished by that answer since the cost is 400 pesos. Lastly, I ask if there are dispute forms to be filled up, and they said that no need for it since I read some previous cardholders that they file a form too, but in my case, they are the ones who will do that. So weird and sound good at the same time, right?

After the days come, I received a text from BPI dated April 16, 2021, that:

Wow! That's the best thing I ever read since the dispute was already valid and for reversal on my account. I am very proud of the BPI Dispute Team since they are severe and crucial for this. I very like the customer service of BPI. In contrast, that's terrible news for the hacker since the BPI requested it for chargeback, and their Wirex account will be blocked and debited that amount. I don't feel sorry for that hacker since you deserve that.

Also, on that date, the reversal was reflected on my BPI Online.

Apart from this, dated April 23, 2021, I received my replacement for BPI Credit Card, still from the LBC courier. The card number is now different but with the same expiration date. I immediately called the phone banker again to activate it, and now it works well!

In conclusion, my BPI dispute journey lasts for eight banking days, and it is okay for me as our country is still facing some quarantine measures. I commend the whole BPI Dispute Team for this kind of action. You were really making the best happen for cardholders like me. With my fellow readers, this proves to me, and I hope to you as well, that owning a credit card means you are lending money from your bank, so it is not your money in the first place.

I am saying that it is straightforward to file for a fraud dispute regarding a credit card than a debit card since it is linked to your savings account, which is very hard to get a decision and lots of processes. With all of that, I am still saying that always protect your credit card, don't accommodate any suspicious calls or emails, don't give your OTP or CVV, and transact using your Wi-Fi or mobile data only. That's all; I hoped you'd learned a lot, and thank you for reading my blog.