Thursday, January 24, 2008
Goddam Credit Card Fraud
Second time in 4 months, my cards have cancelled because someone overseas tried using my number. Interestingly, after the first time, I've only used my new card (with new number) in Australia, with the exception of CD WOW, the ultra-cheap online CD/DVD store.
And a web search quickly found this:
And a web search quickly found this:
Ordered something from CD wow this morning, and just received a phone call from the bank saying they suspected account fraud. They confirmed details etc so we know it was definitely the bank (and didnt give them any details just in case!)
They said that there were 2 payments taken from abroad and told me the amounts. Realised that it was from CD wow and said they were ok. They then said that there was later £1 taken for apple itunes - which we dont even have an account with. They said that they often find that people using someone elses details will make a £1 purchase to test it out before using it more.
Account has been blocked and a new card is being sent out
Would steer clear of CD wow in future as this is the only place we have used that we havent previously (always use big name companies and never had a problem before) and now it looks as though the details have been stolen
Labels: finance
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Fun'n'games with One Direct Mortgage Co
The auction is in about 11 days, and I'd like to bid if I get a home loan pre-approved. One Direct are definitely the cheapest, charging only 6.71% and the barest of fees. It will be interesting to see the problems I encounter from using such a service with no face-to-face anything.
Their Full Page Ad
-------------------
Says to go to onedirect.com.au. Site doesn't work unless you enter www.onedirect.com.au OOPS! Someone should be fired!
Their Site
-----------
It says:
Step 1 - Apply
Call us on 13 14 01 and your Dedicated Lending Specialist will complete the application form for you.
OOPS! I was told to download their application form and send it to them.
The Form
--------
In the financial part, they ask me how much the repayments on my home loan will be. OOPS - aren't they supposed to be telling me that?
On the phone I was told I could use one direct to get pre-approval. A box to tick on the form indicating that I didn't know which house I was buying would be less confusing.
The Rush
--------
I was told on the phone that to talk to a consultant I would have to wait until Friday. But their site has this timetable explained:
Day 1.
Talk to consultant. "Your Dedicated Lending Specialist will call you to confirm your details and/or provide you with an indication of your approval subject to verification of your financial details. They will also tell you which documents we need to complete the formal assessment of your loan application."
Basically as soon as I get the docs to them, they can give me formal approval. So it's possible to be pre-approved in 1 day, according to their site.
Reality
-------
The whole process took several months, with requests for info, then more info that they forgot to ask for, and each email exchange took a week, and their email account couldn't handle large attachments (even though they ask people to scan and send in documents).
If I had relied on One Direct, I would've come close to missing settlement. Fortunately I was also dealing with Mortgage Choice, and they were virtually perfect, and for the extra 0.1% I'm paying, I don't mind.
Their Full Page Ad
-------------------
Says to go to onedirect.com.au. Site doesn't work unless you enter www.onedirect.com.au OOPS! Someone should be fired!
Their Site
-----------
It says:
Step 1 - Apply
Call us on 13 14 01 and your Dedicated Lending Specialist will complete the application form for you.
OOPS! I was told to download their application form and send it to them.
The Form
--------
In the financial part, they ask me how much the repayments on my home loan will be. OOPS - aren't they supposed to be telling me that?
On the phone I was told I could use one direct to get pre-approval. A box to tick on the form indicating that I didn't know which house I was buying would be less confusing.
The Rush
--------
I was told on the phone that to talk to a consultant I would have to wait until Friday. But their site has this timetable explained:
Day 1.
Talk to consultant. "Your Dedicated Lending Specialist will call you to confirm your details and/or provide you with an indication of your approval subject to verification of your financial details. They will also tell you which documents we need to complete the formal assessment of your loan application."
Basically as soon as I get the docs to them, they can give me formal approval. So it's possible to be pre-approved in 1 day, according to their site.
Reality
-------
The whole process took several months, with requests for info, then more info that they forgot to ask for, and each email exchange took a week, and their email account couldn't handle large attachments (even though they ask people to scan and send in documents).
If I had relied on One Direct, I would've come close to missing settlement. Fortunately I was also dealing with Mortgage Choice, and they were virtually perfect, and for the extra 0.1% I'm paying, I don't mind.
Labels: finance, one direct
