Update 1/27/23: Bilt has sent a follow-up e-mail to cardholders confirming that the fraud issues where the result of a “BIN attack:”
This incident occurred as a result of an external fraud attempt to guess account numbers and other card related data (for example, expiration date) to commit fraud. In short, the fraudsters tried random combinations of account information to see which ones work.
In the same e-mail Bilt said that cardholders would have 1,000 points deposited into their accounts within 30 days as thank you for being patient with the company. It also changed the number to report fraud. The new number is 833-404-2272. (h/t: DOC)
It sounds like there are fairly widespread issues with unauthorized charges popping up on Bilt credit cards issued by Wells Fargo. The first version of the Bilt card that was issued by Evolve doesn’t seem to be affected. At least one reddit user reported fraudulent charges on his card before he even received it.
A Bilt representative issued this statement on reddit:
Hey all – quick update from Bilt. We have been made aware of a global fraud ring that has been launching what are called BIN attacks. In short, they use compromised merchants to randomly test millions of potential card numbers to see which ones work, focusing in on one card range at a time. While many of these card attempts get blocked (often invisibly to the customer), occasionally charges make it through. This has been happening across banks and we are aware that a few of Wells Fargo Bilt cardholders have experienced fraudulent charges as part of that.
Please note that you will never be liable for any fraud. Wells Fargo is reaching out to any impacted customers. And you can also contact Wells Fargo’s fraud team directly at 1-800-723-5533. They will remove any fraud charges and overnight you a new card. We put our customers’ security first and will make sure that this is resolved for you quickly. Thank you again for your patience!
BIN is short for “Bank Identification Number.” It’s the first 4-6 digits of a credit card number and it identifies the card issuer. If these charges are indeed the result of such an attack, it would mean that personal information linked to the card most likely hasn’t been compromised. Hopefully, that’s the case. Note that, while the statement says “a few,” DP’s suggest that this problem has affected “quite a few” cardholders.
If you currently have a Wells Fargo-issued Bilt credit card, check your statement ASAP and call the Wells Fargo fraud team at 1-800-723-5533 if you notice any fraudulent activity.
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[…] saw a post from Frequent Miler yesterday discussing how multiple cardholders were reporting fraudulent charges. I wish I could say […]
[…] I want to clear early on that Wells Fargo is the bank issuing and administering BILT card because some may not want to bank with Wells Fargo, which is understandable given its recent history. There have not been any issues reported between BILT users about Wells Fargo aside from a minor issue in January. […]
[…] I want to clear early on that Wells Fargo is the bank issuing and administering BILT card because some may not want to bank with Wells Fargo, which is understandable given its recent history. There have not been any issues reported between BILT users about Wells Fargo aside from a minor issue in January. […]
[…] I want to clear early on that Wells Fargo is the bank issuing and administering BILT card because some may not want to bank with Wells Fargo, which is understandable given its recent history. There have not been any issues reported between BILT users about Wells Fargo aside from a minor issue in January. […]
UnBELIEVABLE what has been happening with my BILT card. Is no one mining the store? Since January 20, 2023, I have had 30+ fraudulent charges and CREDITS(!!) to this card which included a payment sucked out of my checking account for $2425.61 which caused my checking account to be overdrawn by more than $500. When I contacted the number on the back of my card, they insisted I made the payment from my online Wells Fargo account. It took nearly an hour on the telephone before they finally acknowledged that my Wells Fargo checking account had been “mirrored” and they would credit back the $2524.61 to my checking account, BUT! It took them 10 business days to do so causing two $35 NSF charges to my autopays and I was NOT able to use my debit card or access MY cash from my checking account for those 10 days. Fortunately I have other checking and credit cards, but what if I didn’t? No gas, no food, no electricity, no whatever I had previously used that checking account for. During the past two weeks, I have been reissued four, yes 4! new credit cards which all received fraudulent charges on them. The card that is currently in route to me – I haven’t even received it – has already been compromised per my online app. I have wasted several hours of my precious time on the “customer service” line trying to get this resolved. I have been transferred so many times, I’ve lost count. Each time I get transferred, I have to go through the whole “security” (ha, what a laugh) process, provide name address, etc, then I have to recount my issues, over and over and over. I finally requested my email address be changed as a security measure, but this took over 10 days (you are not able to access your own personal info to update or edit) and the email confirmation indicated success! Per my request, they had updated my email with “abc1234@gmail.com”. SERIOUSLY! That’s the email address they used!! I don’t even have a gmail account and who would use abc1234 for any email account??? This Mr. McGoo credit card is garbage. I had earned $156 in cash rewards, but I doubt I will see that. I want to cancel A.S.A.P. but of course, I have to wait for an email with instructions on how to cancel
Happened to me as well; Wells bounced 18 transactions, but one from the University of Glasgow got through since it was a trusted merchant ($0.18). I caught it right away, and Bilt sent me a new card within a week. Didn’t need to overnight it, since I only use it on the 1st, mostly for autopays, and use Chase/Amex cards for everyday carry. This was probably one of the worst credit card products they could’ve defrauded, since very few points enthusiasts are using the card for non-bonused spend, and such transactions stick out like a sore thumb.
Happened to me as well as my daughter. Wells caught and denied each transaction. Key thing to note is if it happens to you, they will overnight new cards without any pushback.
[…] the card has had an issue, both inside and outside the award travel world.” In a statement to Frequent Miler, Bilt Rewards noted this is the result of “BIN attacks” wherein randomly generated card numbers […]
[…] the card has had an issue, both inside and outside the award travel world.” In a statement to Frequent Miler, Bilt Rewards noted this is the result of “BIN attacks” wherein randomly generated card numbers […]
[…] the card has had an issue, both inside and outside the award travel world.” In a statement to Frequent Miler, Bilt Rewards noted this is the result of “BIN attacks” wherein randomly generated card numbers […]
[…] the card has had an issue, both inside and outside the award travel world.” In a statement to Frequent Miler, Bilt Rewards noted this is the result of “BIN attacks” wherein randomly generated card numbers […]
[…] the card has had an issue, both inside and outside the award travel world.” In a statement to Frequent Miler, Bilt Rewards noted this is the result of “BIN attacks” wherein randomly generated card numbers […]
[…] the card has had an issue, both inside and outside the award travel world.” In a statement to Frequent Miler, Bilt Rewards noted this is the result of “BIN attacks” wherein randomly generated card numbers […]
[…] the card has had an issue, both inside and outside the award travel world.” In a statement to Frequent Miler, Bilt Rewards noted this is the result of “BIN attacks” wherein randomly generated card numbers […]
[…] the card has had an issue, both inside and outside the award travel world.” In a statement to Frequent Miler, Bilt Rewards noted this is the result of “BIN attacks” wherein randomly generated card numbers […]