Trolling for miles

My Visa account got hacked in early January. The hacker did the “can’t remember password” thing and managed to guess the answers to my (so-called) security questions, then changed my password. I was notified by email that my password had changed, but didn’t read the message until nearly a day after it happened. I immediately called and informed the company that the password change was NOT authorized. They immediately cancelled the card and I was relieved to see no unauthorized purchases. I thought I had dodged an identity theft bullet.

However…

When I got my new card and logged in for the first time – about 5 days later – I noticed that my miles had not transferred. I called the company again and they assured me that the miles would appear, but might take a few more days.

Fast forward…

I accessed my account yesterday with the thought that I would redeem some miles for airline tickets I had recently purchased. But the miles were not there. Third call to Visa. The miles were gone – looted by the January hacker. 55,000 miles used to buy $500 in Best Buy gift cards and 49,000 miles transferred to another account. Over $1000 stolen. I guess thieves no longer need the card; they can just take the miles.

Visa said I will get the miles back. Meanwhile they have added another layer of security to my account.

But someone out there has acquired some fine electronics at Best Buy, courtesy of Visa.