...how in the world can cablelas let this transaction go through if the billing information doesn't match the card..unbelievable.
All that is needed for the CC order to process through is the CC#, CID #, Expiration Date, Name on the Card, and Billing Address of the card for a website order. For a phone order, all is needed is the CC#, CID# & Expiration Date.
One of the easiest ways people get their CC info stolen, is when your call a company and give your CC# over the phone. In most cases the person on the other end of the phone writes down your CC info on a piece of paper, in a Word document, etc first, and then they'll enter it in the ordering system. If the person has bad intentions, they will keep that piece of paper, Word doc, etc. for their own use later on....they can generally figure out what your name is and your address too.
I've done plenty of CC ordering process audits for clients, and you'd be amazed by how easy it is for this to happen. This happened to me when I had to phone a flower shop and give them my CC# to send flowers....the clerk just wrote them down and went shopping on me (and probably others).
One of the best ways to protect yourself (other than NEVER reading your CC# over the phone to someone), is to log into the Website of your CC company, and then find the 'alerts' area on your profile. Nearly all CC banks give you an option to have a text alert sent to your phone for every CC transaction. They texts happen so quick, I normally receive a text that a transaction happened before I get the receipt handed to me.
About a year ago, I received a text on a $.03 transaction come through early in the AM....somewhere my CC#/info had become compromised and they were just testing my CC to see if it was valid. Called my CC provider, promptly terminated that # and had a new card in my mailbox the day after.
Good Luck!
