Hmm... I need to find out myself. I don't know what is the answer to that question. I'll do some poking around and get back to you if I discover an good answer. You should email the people at Lending Tree as they probably know..

They should be able to "FRONT" you the money....

90 DAYS SOUNDS EXCESSIVE.....

Don't mark my words on this, but I believe that when you report unauthrized activity on your card, your bank is required to issue a temporary credit to your account within 48 hours. However, I believe that your report needs to be in writing..

The authority for this is in Regulation E. If you do a search on google.com for some background, you can find out more..here is a link to get you started..

Www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/.

Waisidx_00/12cfr205_00.html.

It is a long read, and I would encourage you to contact your bank and see if they have a Reg E Dept. My bank does..

I heard another post about a bank telling a consumer that they are just out of luck..and I don't think that is in accord with the law, IMO..

This is a terrible occurrence and my condolences are with you. Please let me know what happens when you mention Regulation E to your bank. If they still tell you that it will take 90 days to issue a credit, then I want to know the name of that bank..

Yes, the investigation may take 90 days, but the provisional credit needs to be applied relatively immediately (within 48 hours)...

Hey Val!!! I'm sorry. The same thing happened to me last month, though it wasn't much money it cost me a ton (that we already didn't have) Same thing, someone stole my visa check card BUT they drained my money (including overdraft) from an ATM. Which I do not understand b/c I do not ever use ATM's therefore I don't even know the pin #. I had everything bounce, but unlike you I did not call the people and before it was over with, I got served. We did end up getting all of the checks picked up. But again, like you, the bank is saying they do not even know how long it will take.

It will get better. I promise...

I cannot believe that the huge amount of purchases did not even raise a red flag at the bank. Also, there is no way to make purchase online anymore without the 3 digit security code which is only shown on the card. So it's either someone you know or the merchants were in on it..

I say you start looking for ways to make the bank and the merchants responsible. That will make the investigation move real quick..

I bank with California Federal (Citibank just bought them). I was told I could "possibly get a provisional credit in 10 days but, most investigations take up to 90". I was also told that having a police report would help speed things up, so I made sure to do that...

The bank should also be able to "CHARGE BACK" some of the charges to the "SENDER"...bounce..

They also can have the POLICE check out the addresses the merchandise was sent to....

Some mail orders are 1-2 weeks before receipt...OR LONGER.....

My bank told me 'no way' to a credit, said after the investigation was done, if it was deemed fraud, then I would get my money back..

PS now ya'll have me thinking, the sad thing about our bank not credting us is? Our business account is with this bank, more money runs through that account in one month than a lot of people make in a year, and they still won't credit me my little bitty old 1800. But I deal with one of these small home town banks, so your bank may be more accomadating Val...

I just today made a purchase online without ever being asked for the 3 digit security code on my credit card. IME, it's out of the norm to be asked for that number. 'Course, I only shop at a handful of sites..

But, if I am going to be using a debit card to shop online vs. using a regular CC, I use my PayPal debit card. I don't keep a lot of money in that account..

Valgal, I'm sorry to hear what happened :( That sucks, and the timing sucks worse..

It'll be okay and somehow you'll muddle through and there will be sunshine at the end of the tunnel...

I've been there so I know how you feel. I banked with BofA when it happened to me and while I generally don't have great things to say about them, I would have thought that Cal Fed would have been more understanding. And..everything will be ok...

I think that your bank is full of sh*t. If you do not put your dispute in writing, then they are not obligated to give you a provisional creditthis I am 99.9% sure of. As I said above, it is Regulation E (federal) that requires them to do this..

I will check to see if I can email you and give you the # for the Reg E Dept at my bank. If you can email me, please do. This will work out...your bank is not playing by the rules it seems......

Thank you all for the encouragement. Actually only 2 transactions were on-line. All the others were to places like T-Mobile, Pac Bell, Sprint, Sports Athority & the list goes on. The rep at the bank said it looked like someone was paying bills, so it is a good possibility that they will find out who that someone is (hope it doesn't take 90 days!) I tried calling some of these companies myself & explaining what happened to see if they would tell me who made the charges. Apparently, the privacy act protects consumers idenities ... so no one would help me or even sympathize! :(..

If that was directed at me????? They made me fill out an affidavit...

I went to my bank today & they had me fill one out too...

You know what Val, I was supposed to go in and fill one out, but could not get up there so they sent it home with hubby. You know what it said??? Again, this was supposed to be filled out at the bank BY the bank. It asked questions like 'while answering these questions, did the customer look you in the eyes, and was the customer fidgety, and in your opinion did the customer seem to be honest. etc etc. Can you beleive that?????????..

This is so true, it's painful..

When I was a teller, we were asked to force them upon customers because they made us money..

I have one, and I know how bad they are ;-)..