Finding out you’ve been scammed is never fun. However, the method posted by her TikToker named Lauren (@absolutelylauren) is a method to try if her credit card information has been stolen online and you want to identify the culprit.
She uploaded a now-viral TikTok explaining how she was able to learn the identity and shipping address of a person who made a credit card purchase. All he needed was the date and amount of the transaction.
“If you’ve ever had your credit card stolen, if you know how much and when you bought it, the full government name of the guy who stole the card and if it was an online purchase,” Lauren begins in the clip. .
After receiving notification of a $135 purchase at the online store for hair care brand Olaplex, Lauren said she instinctively asked her family if anyone else had misused her card. She claims it’s not the first time someone has used her card to buy something, so she wanted to make sure before she canceled the card.
“I don’t want to shut the card down if my mom just ordered shampoo,” she explains. “Definitely not my two younger brothers. They have nice hair, but they don’t color it.”
After her family assured her it was none of them, Lauren said she decided to go to Olaplex customer support because it was unlikely she would be able to find out who it was. Customer Service Representative Tanya was very helpful, says Lauren.
“At this point, I’d be happy to give Tanya enough information to steal my card. She could have taken advantage of me in that moment, but she didn’t,” Lauren said. Just kidding. “She’s back. Tell me why she gave the little crook the legal name and address of the government.”
Lauren reveals that the person was someone from a small Texas suburb. TikToker says he was even able to find a pool in his backyard after snooping on Google Maps.
“They did it on Black Friday too, so at least they were gift sets,” Lauren continues. “And a man named Jason ordered it for his wife.”
Lauren says that when she shared this information with Chase at the bank, they said they would conduct their own investigation.
@absolutelylauren olaplex customer service is top notch 😤 #creditcardscam ♬ original sound – Lauren
“I canceled my card and everything,” she concludes. “This was not a local slip-up. In fact it was a scam, but if you need it, get that information yourself.”
The Daily Dot reached out to Lauren in a TikTok comment and sent an email to Olaplex for more information.
FBI fraud consultant, author and convicted felon Frank Abagnale Jr., the subject of Steven Spielberg’s film Catch Me If You Can, plans to make purchases with his card. Whenever possible, I recommend using a credit card over a debit card. His reasoning is that cash spent with a debit card is immediately deducted from the account, whereas with a credit card it is credited to the balance. Even if he disputes the transaction, he can keep the cash in his account in the meantime.
After seeing Lauren’s post, TikTokers offered several ways to get revenge on the scammers. One of her users on the platform asked where the Texas thieves were, so she went there to inspect her house. Another said you should sign up for the “Scientology Newsletter” because of how “unforgiving” the organization is.
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*First published: January 9, 2023 at 7:31 PM CST
Jack Alban
Jack Alban is a freelance journalist for the Daily Dot covering trending human interest/social media stories and how real people react to them. He’s always trying to incorporate evidence-based research, current events, and facts related to these stories to create not-so-average viral posts.
