Yikes! ActBlue alert

[SleeplessinSoCal]

Just checked my Amex bill and was charged $500 by ActBlue rather than - I assume - a $5 submission.

This is the first time in its existence I had this happen. Anybody else?

[2naSalit]

1. Have they been hacked?

[SleeplessinSoCal]

2. This was submitted 5/10. I think we'd have heard.

I received an auto reply from ActBlue. Being Memorial Day weekend, don't know much I can accomplish.

[Bayard]

3. You can't add zeros

Like, $5.00. Just, $5.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

4. I know. I've no idea how it happened

I may have donated $20 on occasion, but never even $100.

I don't think they'll fight me. But it's just odd.

[stopdiggin]

9. depends on the site. holds true for some, and not others.

only thing I can recommend is double check on the cart/checkout (which should itemize all charges, taxes, shipping, etc.) before sealing the deal with a click.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

5. Last year - I donated $25.00 to a candidate through ActBlue.

I WAS CHARGED $2,500.00.

There was no way to contact ActBlue except through email. They ignored my frantic emails. So I contacted my credit card company, which made me jump through numerous hoops before reversing the charges. The credit card company had trouble comprehending that I was overcharged for a political contribution, NOT that I had been charged for something I bought but had not received. It took several tries to resolve the matter and was massively frustrating. But it was eventually resolved in my favor.

I wish you luck!

[SleeplessinSoCal]

15. Woah!

That is not encouraging.

I spent much of yesterday on the phone sorting charges with Amazon and then trying to access HBO via Spectrum.

Something weird is going on.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

17. It REALLY soured me on ActBlue.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

19. Got an email this morning from ActBlue

Apparently, they improved their support system.

"Thanks for reaching out and I'm sorry to hear about the unintended donation! 
 
I can confirm that the $500 has been refunded and should post back to your account automatically within about 1-2 business days.
 
If you'd like to donate as you originally intended, you can do so here: ********
 
If there is anything else I can help you with, please let me know!

Best,

Sky"

[50 Shades Of Blue]

20. Thanks for the update! I'm glad ActBlue finally performed some customer service.

They still need to do better, though.

[2naSalit]

6. When I finally was forced to...

Buy a few things online I decided to make purchases only with prepaid gift credit cards so that only the amount I designated and up to the balance on the card is at risk. There's none of my personal banking info and when someone tries to charge more, you will often receive an email telling the transaction failed from those making the charges. When there is more left on the card, I quickly spend it so there's nothing left for anyone to take without my permission.

I think that's as convenient as I care to have it.

[stopdiggin]

8. there's actually a dedicated payment card system

Same thing (limits on amounts, one time payments, or repeats only as allowed, walled off from your real accounts, cards and finances). A very good idea for some added security - and to stop issues like we see here in the OP.

(I'm not going to drop names here on DU - but this option has been featured, and one assumes vetted, by Wirecutter, NYTimes. Fairly easy to find. And worth a look for the reasons just discussed.)

[2naSalit]

10. I don't need all that.

I make about five purchases a year online. That way, I also don't have anything to manage long term.

[stopdiggin]

12. gottcha.

May not at all be for you. I'm thinking about the (fairly small handful of) reoccurring payments (subscriptions, cable, mobile phone, gym membership, et.al.) that are currently linked to either my credit or debit card? And, a lot of people have far more of this going on in their lives than I do! But - even for 'single use' payments (like you) - I've been fairly trusting, so far, of PayPal (and their access to credit cards) - but I'm not necessarily sure that means that I should be?

[2naSalit]

13. A few years back...

The OPM server was hacked and all my federal background info was included in the data stolen. I had a hard time keeping scammers out of my banking accounts before I ever bought anything online.

So when I decided to get something online, I put a lot of thought into it, and decided the current plan is best for me. Part of my self imposed money management system includes making the vast majority of my money hard to access, makes me think at least twice before spending it and eliminates impulse buying, which had struggled with long ago.

Now, I have what I need when I need it and if I have to go to Albertson's to buy a credit card for $5 (the actual fee) to get something online, then it's a small errand to run.

[Indykatie]

7. I Mistakenly Set Up a Repeating Donation Once

I think they had "repeating" as the default choice at the time I did the donation for Warren's first Senate race.

[Hekate]

24. I got bitten that way. Never again.

[CrispyQ]

11. I'm sad to see more & more candidates "Donate" web pages redirect to ActBlue.

I wanted to merge two accounts & had difficulty getting anyone to respond to my request & was eventually told it couldn't be done.

[ecstatic]

14. 😳 let me check... Nt

[SleeplessinSoCal]

16. Someone above ActBlue needs to know about these issues.

It's been a very helpful tool. I was thinking about never using it again and let them keep the $500. But I really can't afford it.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

18. Did all I can for now. I do love Amex

Rep guided me through the maze at ActBlue to initiating dispute and refund.

[Novara]

21. they sold my phone number and I'm pissed

I've been getting so many spam phone calls since the last time I donated through them and it pisses me off.

Trouble is, a lot of entities go through them so that when you donate, it takes you to the ActBlue page. I'd rather donate directly rather than go through ActBlue. I didn't even have them overcharge me, but the daily spam calls are enough!

[MineralMan]

22. I never donate to anything through a third party.

Instead, I contact the recipient and mail a paper check. That's my absolute and unchanging practice. No recurring donations. No third parties that take a cut. Direct donations.

[Hekate]

23. Call Amex *immediately* and dispute the charge

Is your card connected to any bank close to you? My Visa card is connected to Chase Bank.

When I had a disputed donation charge a number of years ago I went over to the bank and asked for a consult with someone at a desk (i.e. not a teller). I very nicely explained to them that I needed their personal help sorting this out and that I knew they would be able to handle this far more easily than I — that they wouldn’t have to face a long phone tree, for one. It worked. The charge got taken off and reversed in fairly short order.

I do not have an account with Chase Bank, just the card, tho I periodically show up to pay my Visa bill in person. I’ve had the same Visa card for a good 40 years, under different bank names. The Visa account keeps getting bought and sold and I no longer remember all the places it’s been.

I hope this will help someone. Good luck to you.