Mysterious Charge Baffles Consumers Nationwide

**HiredGoon** · January 15th, 2009, 02:14 PM

I have not seen this on my cards, but found it interesting and thought I'd pass it along. HG

Mysterious Charge Baffles Consumers Nationwide
BOSTON (CBS) ―

There is a mysterious charge showing up on people's credit card statements across the country, and according to The Boston Globe, it's coming from a company that doesn't appear to exist.

The charge is for 25 cents from a company called "Adele Services" in Melville, New York. But according to the Globe, there is no business with that name listed anywhere in New York, reports CBS station WBZ-TV.

There are a few theories as to why this mysterious charge is popping up on statements. It is suspected that either someone is trying a small monetary amount to see if the stolen credit card number obtained will work before making a bigger charge, or they are charging tons a people a small amount of money, the Globe reports.

The paper spoke with the Better Business Bureau in Louisville. It appears the people who have been charged the 25 cents have not been hit with a bigger charge. According to the Globe, the number of victims could be in the millions.

Several victims vented their frustration and confusion on a message board in Cleveland. Most of them said they noticed the charge in November. "I was hit with a charge for $.25 cents on 11-21… I kept telling my bank that there is no way I would make a debit card purchase for $.25!"

Another consumer on Complaints Board wrote a comment back in November stating that 21 cents was taken out of their account and didn't know why. "This is not a large amount, but if they see they can get away with this... then what will the next amount be? I have never heard of this Adele company and the phone number that is listed on my bank statement doesn't work."

It is not known how the mysterious company got a hold of the credit card numbers, the paper reports.

If you see the 25-cent charge on your credit card statement, file a dispute with your credit card company and report it to the Federal Trade Commission, the Internet Crime Complaint Center, the National White Collar Crime Center and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (story link above has links to these sites).

**625** · January 15th, 2009, 02:46 PM

Interesting. Thanks for the heads up. If I were to guess, I'd say the Russians were behind it.

**RocketFoot** · January 15th, 2009, 02:57 PM

It's probably a warning...

"All your credit cards are belong to us!"

If someone can get into millions of accounts...they could probably bring the entire credit system to a screeching halt with the push of a button!

**P-11 shooter** · January 15th, 2009, 03:03 PM

That's $1 for every 4 people.

Smart. People would dispute a large sum quickly, but might let a quarter slide because it's not worth the hassle of disputing it.

That shit adds up.

**adymond** · January 15th, 2009, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by P-11 shooter

That's $1 for every 4 people.

Smart. People would dispute a large sum quickly, but might let a quarter slide because it's not worth the hassle of disputing it.

That shit adds up.

Fractions of pennies all added up in millions of transactions adds up. Just look at what happened in Superman 3 or Office Space.

**Da2k17** · January 15th, 2009, 04:35 PM

maybe this is how they are coming up with the $150 million for osamas inauguration party

http://forum.pafoa.org/national-11/4...0-million.html

**schr8er2000** · January 15th, 2009, 05:02 PM

Either to pay for his inauguration party... or maybe that is the CHANGE he was talking about....LOL

**Neo31rex31** · January 15th, 2009, 05:24 PM

Were only specific credit cards targeted

**DaveM55** · January 15th, 2009, 05:45 PM

One of my cards was hit with a $1.00 charge and then a few hundred dollars. I have no idea how anyone got my numbers since I don't carry the card, haven't used it in months, and all my transaction are done via the internet..oh wait the internet, that must have been it.