Damn, VISA’s fraud department is on the ball! I was out in the yard when I got a text, asking whether I’d authorized a $1.00 charge to a cable or satellite company. I responded in the negative, and called VISA’s fraud department. The message said they would call me shortly, but I’d rather be safe, so I called. After I verified my identity, I asked the name on the charge. Videostripe.com. I said that wasn’t me, so he read back my last few charges…all definitely me. He cancelled that card and told me to destroy it and they’ll send me a new one. I checked the email alert they’d sent as well, describing the date and time of the charge, and asking whether it was valid, then looked at the timestamp on the text message. One minute had elapsed between the time someone tried to use my card and Videostripe did the $1 charge before putting through the full amount, and the time VISA texted me. I do have text and email alerts set up for suspicious activity, but $1 wouldn’t have tripped those. I’m guessing that Videostripe didn’t fit my spending profile, so it was flagged. Videostripe is kind of like Netflix, so they wouldn’t have needed a shipping address, but maybe they got my billing address wrong, or something. Anyway, it was declined and flagged. Sucks that I have to memorize another card number, but I’m very glad they caught it so fast.  The small charge is a “ping” to ensure the card is valid; if that goes through, the thief spends as much as possible until the card is maxed out or cancelled. Fuck whoever stole my card, but they got nothing for their troubles; not even a free video stream.