Have a Starbucks card that automatically replenishes when the balance is low? Now might be a good time to start watching your bank statements.
The “auto reload” function can be used as a blank check that gives strangers access to your bank account if the card gets into the wrong hands — or your account number does.
A New York City woman found this out the hard way last week when she discovered that more than $1,700 had vanished from her bank account in about an hour.
From her story in Gigaom, it sounds like Lauren Hockenson is more vigilant about her spending than a lot of consumers, in that she uses a website (Mint.com) to keep close track of her budget and spending and send her alerts when she’s spending too much.
Detailed news link: click here
Detailed story of the New York City women in Gigaom: click here