I had a voice mail today from my credit card’s fraud prevention department, asking me to call back immediately. Although a quick Google search suggested authenticity, I called the number on my card instead but got routed to Fraud Prevention the moment I entered my card number.
My first thought was that the expensive Vegas vacation I recently charged got their attention. I did spend quite a bit of money in about 30 minutes. But that was last month, so I’ve already paid that balance in full. An inattentive cardholder might pay for a stolen $10 lunch without realizing it, but only a complete idiot (or someone impractically rich) would unwittingly pay off someone else’s entire vacation.
Then I recognized a coincidental string of PayPal purchases all on one day last week. They were all small purchases from online stores, but perhaps such a sudden burst of PayPal (or other peer-to-peer payment) activity had been seen as a red flag.
That was my most promising theory when I dialed the phone. The nice man in India confirmed what had really gotten the bank’s (computer’s) attention: a single online purchase from Peapod last week for a little over $100.
Peapod.
You know… Peapod.
Peapod!
An online charge from Peapod for about $100 has appeared on my statement at the beginning of every month I’ve ever used this card! After Netflix, it’s the second most routine transaction on my entire statement.
I appreciate that the algorithms used to detect possible fraud are sophisticated and beyond the comprehension of mere mortals, but that was a little absurd. When I thought the bank had picked up on some legitimately unusual account activity, I was pleased with their efforts. Knowing that they’re just flagging my everyday spending, I’m rather less pleased but vastly more amused.