Submitted by gamerdudeNYC t3_yk5b64 in jerseycity

Went to The Ashford on Sunday the 30th, sat at the bar, then last night received an alert that my credit card was used last for a $30 purchase at The Ashford and attempted $500 purchase at an online casino.

I almost never use the card and it’s still in my possession so I’m thinking an employee there took pictures of it and stole the information.

Planning on going to talk to the manager today to let them know of my suspicions.

149

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AgentLemon22 t1_iurfgjq wrote

Your first mistake was going to Ashford

206

Imaginary_Push8953 t1_iuu1vyq wrote

What’s wrong with it?

1

HElGHTS t1_iuu6cqy wrote

Sort the Google reviews low to high. You'll find much more than the typical cranky customers.

6

TacoCityJC t1_iuumk7t wrote

Apparently they steal your credit card information.

5

Front_Guarantee_2915 t1_ivdn1yk wrote

Many instances of blatant racism. Even got onto TV in one instance of I remember correctly.

2

Yolo_420_69 t1_iv53aju wrote

Name a better sports bar with $3 mimosas downtown. Ashford hands down is the best Sunday football experience in this area by a mile

1

IamLars t1_iurivbr wrote

Report it to your credit card company. They will investigate.

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gamerdudeNYC OP t1_iurjght wrote

I was actually alerted by Bank of America, they’re on top of it

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bobomerk99 t1_iurw4ay wrote

damn! How'd you find out it was employees doing it?

11

nerdiestnerdballer t1_iuropx2 wrote

you did share this information with bank of America?

10

gamerdudeNYC OP t1_iurqt41 wrote

Yes I’ve reported it all to BoA, card cancelled, transactions flagged as fraudulent, getting a new card sent out.

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cookiesarenomnom t1_iusxx30 wrote

They don't. If it's under a certain amount, they don't investigate. They refund your money, send you a new card and write off the loses. It's far cheaper and quicker than investigating for a measly $500(from their perspective). They only investigate when fraud happens in the thousands of dollars.

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ip3p t1_iuthxw1 wrote

They don’t investigate because it’s not their money to lose. Fraudulent charges for online (card not present) transactions end up being covered by the merchant who accepted the card, the banks don’t cover anything in that case.

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HElGHTS t1_iuu5rj4 wrote

Can merchants use insurance to guard against this, or would that just increase the expected value of their losses even more (in exchange for turning a variable cost into a fixed cost)?

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ip3p t1_iuutidl wrote

It's mostly used by larger merchants, but there are services that do essentially that. The services analyze the transaction and will approve/deny it based on fraud risk. Denied transaction they won't cover if a 'chargeback' occurs.

The cost is usually a fixed percentage of the transaction, usually ~1% but can be higher and lower depending on the risk level of the industry.

1

bodhipooh t1_iurcopt wrote

This is the Universe's way of teaching you an important lesson: don't patronize the Trashford.

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gamerdudeNYC OP t1_iurgyg8 wrote

I went there for NFL Sunday Ticket, it’s the only place I’ve found in the area that has the football package

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haiduz t1_iurjry0 wrote

I’m pretty sure south house does as well.

14

ribasad t1_iuso049 wrote

Hudson Hall is great for nfl Sunday. Has redzone as well.

5

psykik23 t1_iuxfuux wrote

Lucky 7s and Healey’s both have the Sunday Ticket.

2

CatWings64 t1_ius01hf wrote

Another friendly PSA : This is why it's best to always pay with credit cards instead of debit cards. I mention this because so many people pay with debit. At least with credit cards, it's the bank's money and the bank will likely wipe the charges. When a debit card is compromised, it's your money that was spent. Good luck getting that back in a timely manner, if at all.

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Mother-Dragonfly7595 t1_iuticef wrote

I would think technically it’s not the bank’s money but your money + other people’s money? Your deposits but I do agree with you on your PSA though. Never used my debit cards for purchases. Except for that darn one restaurant which doesn’t accept credit cards.

1

a_trane13 t1_iutrfy3 wrote

Credit means a creditor is literally lending you their money. They have enough cash flow and assets to borrow against to do that. Same as a house or car loan.

Debit cards spend money that is specifically yours, held by the bank.

9

SadMaverick t1_iurmezn wrote

Slightly off topic, but I wish credit cards would come without numbers on them like the Apple card. It’s perfect for bars.

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polish_newjerseyan t1_iurq19k wrote

If you can, don't pay with a credit card directly. When you do touch pay the app shows a fake number to the business.

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HElGHTS t1_iuu65ib wrote

If you're able to tap the terminal, you're pretty safe either way because nobody is walking away with your payment.

If someone will be walking away with your payment, are you suggesting they walk away with an unlocked phone instead of a card?

Doesn't add up.

1

polish_newjerseyan t1_iv24bqb wrote

If you're paying with your phone, you're also just tapping the terminal. They don't walk away with your phone.

1

HElGHTS t1_iv2du1i wrote

Exactly. The implied circumstance that we are discussing in this post (including OP's story as well as this Apple Card comment thread) is where an employee walks away with the payment. I'm saying that using a phone instead of card doesn't really apply to this circumstance, because it would be even more of a risk than using a card.

1

el_leon_vago t1_iurpvio wrote

Foolishly dropped my wallet at 626 on Saturday as well (same place/owners) and they also charged $25 at the the bar and tried to run it thtough cashapp and Walmart for $700.

I had instantly blocked all my cards when I noticed my wallet was not in my pocket.

Edit: they as in "someone" or "a person" not directly accusing an employee

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bobomerk99 t1_iurw0wv wrote

That's crazy. How do you know it was 626 employees and not a customer?

1

el_leon_vago t1_iuryevr wrote

I don't know that and didn't say that. OP directly suspected an employee and I shared my similar anecdote.

Can't help but think this is one hell of a coincidence though.

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Tankmaster5000 t1_iurzbsu wrote

That place looks like they told a bunch of old executives to design a bar that’s “cool and will attract the kids with their tik-toks and instant grams.”

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henry_sqared t1_iv0xnuh wrote

Yeah, it's a concept that looks great on paper. 10 big screens showing sports in an edgy, dark bar sounds fun. The reality is that you are blinded by the screens and then can't see shit anywhere else in the room.

1

tdrhq t1_iurdero wrote

Who the fuck eats at the Ashford anyway?

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haiduz t1_iurifw1 wrote

Their wings are excellent and they have a daily food special for every day of the week.

−17

nerdiestnerdballer t1_iurp2lt wrote

👀 this is the second time i seen you speaking positively about the Ashford, Id bet you work there, or have some other connection to it!

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Gmen9256 t1_iurqk35 wrote

Not OP, nor do I work at The Ashford or have any connection to it, but I do like their wings and it's a great spot for Sunday football.

This sub has had an anti-Ashford circle jerk for years now but here they are packed out every weekend - it's almost as if some people do like it and can speak positively about it without having any sort of connection to it.

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FloatingWeight t1_ius8fmu wrote

I mean i don’t love it, but it’s a popular bar with a more diverse crowd Than this subreddit, why is it surprising that someone would like it ?

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Anonymous1985388 t1_iusaijp wrote

Agreed- Ashford has a crowd that is more diverse than many bars I've been to in NYC.

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haiduz t1_iurqah3 wrote

Nope. I just like to make fun of the /r/jerseycity narrative. And on a given month there will be like 5 to 15 posts making fun of ashford by people that don’t go there or barely go out at all. I like to provide the counter voice because farming downvotes from dorks is just as fun as farming upvotes on Reddit.

It’s pretty fucking stupid to think that anyone that has the BRAVERY to say trashford isn’t the racist shithole that /r/jerseycity makes it out to be (and is actually the opposite) must work there. Some people just can form their own opinions.

My connection to is that it’s in my top 5 most visited and fave Newark Ave bars.

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nerdiestnerdballer t1_iurraow wrote

So your the owner? Got it.

5

LearnDifferenceBot t1_iurrhfa wrote

> So your the

*you're

Learn the difference here.


^(Greetings, I am a language corrector bot. To make me ignore further mistakes from you in the future, reply !optout to this comment.)

1

BenevolentCheese t1_ius8zpy wrote

Holy shit, daily food specials every day!

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haiduz t1_ius9d2u wrote

Okay but tell me another bar on Newark Ave or JC that has a rotating happy happy hour each day. Seriously I’m asking. Happy hour in this town are sooo mid so it’s nice that they are at least trying.

1

GreenTunicKirk t1_iut2cco wrote

Grove St Station on the corner?

I find their (ashford) food to be … edible. It’s all geared to be plated and look good in pics - specifically, the Instagram crowd. Honestly it’s a clever business model to focus more on attracting clientele obsessed with how they appear on social rather than provide good food.

The large venue is cool, and the drafts are fine. But honestly it’s an overwrought club/restaurant trying to be a destination and it lacks any authenticity to it. It belongs in Florida, not Jersey.

And I don’t even hate it.

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HappyArtichoke7729 t1_iurdquc wrote

Why not call the police? You are condoning this behavior if you don't report it to the police.

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gamerdudeNYC OP t1_iurgtv4 wrote

I can’t really prove it, but that’s the only thing that makes sense to me

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haiduz t1_iuri2lf wrote

I mean you can’t really prove it was an ashford employee. Your card number might have been collected as a card skimmer like a month prior, sold on the dark web, and it’s just a coincidence it was used the same night as you went to the ashford.

Doesn’t stop you from accusing them tho cuz an ashford hate post gets even more of the /r/jerseycity circlejerk local updoots than an Amy DeGise hate post.

−1

[deleted] t1_iurj2sr wrote

There are as many unpleasant reasons to hate the Ashford as there are to hate Degise.

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gamerdudeNYC OP t1_iurj1pi wrote

Right, like I said I can’t prove it so I feel that the least I can do is let management know and they can do what the wish, they can ignore me completely or if they’re getting multiple complaints then maybe they’ll be more vigilant about it

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haiduz t1_iurjkmq wrote

Be sure to mention that you made a Reddit thread publicly accusing their employees of theft before they had a chance to review or respond. They’ll love you for that!

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nerdiestnerdballer t1_iurotcb wrote

I found the Ashford employee!

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haiduz t1_iurpqbi wrote

Just a happy patron. If you dont spend all your time on /r/jerseycity where internet dorks like to hate on people having fun offline and actually hang out on Newark Ave you’ll find that’s it’s a decent mega bar, with good food, that caters to a much more diverse clientele than the other Reddit faves, is LBGT inclusive, and a nice rooftop on the summer. Is it the best bar in NJ/NYC area? Far from it. No, but it’s certainly not worth the hate that it gets here. Especially this post which is blind accusation of theft with little to no proof.

−22

gamerdudeNYC OP t1_iurt1if wrote

This is obviously a very sensitive subject for you, send me a DM next time you’re going and I’ll buy you a drink, using cash of course

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fuhgettaboutitt t1_iurtrla wrote

This reads like ad copy - there’s no way you’re not an owner or management

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pixel_of_moral_decay t1_iurln9h wrote

Yup.

Way easier to purchase credit cards on the “dark web” than steal them in person.

No chance of getting caught online (there’s not enough resources to investigate, it’s just an insurance thing built into credit card fees).

Just buy numbers online and keep your day job.

There’s really no reason to lift a credit card to use yourself.

If you do lift cards, put a skimmer on a gas pump, collect a bunch and sell them. That can make financial sense.

But just stealing a couple is too stupid to be likely. The economics don’t make sense.

3

gamerdudeNYC OP t1_iurtm3d wrote

But I used it at the Ashford on Sunday and then last night it was also used by someone again at the Ashford and later to try and buy casino credits

So unless the person bought it off the dark web and went to the same bar I went to on Sunday, I’m thinking it was an employee that took a picture of the front and back while I was there

10

haiduz t1_iurnpcu wrote

The fact that the person bought online casino credits (online digital goods that can be converted to cash) makes me thing that it was probably someone that bought it online out of state rather than some local bartender with a crippling gambling addiction that he is willing to risk his job for.

3

gamerdudeNYC OP t1_iurt940 wrote

It was used at the Ashford but whoever stole it and then a few hour later used to buy online casino credits, so I’m guessing it was the same person

1

pixel_of_moral_decay t1_ius8o6u wrote

Yup.

It’s not worth losing a job over something so trivial to get other ways.

And someone that stupid to risk a job would likely take it to a liquor store, or Walmart for impulse purchases. Order online with the number and pickup. Not something more sophisticated as you suggested.

Years ago I had a card that was likely cloned to be used at a liquor store, which was apparently down the street from where I legitimately used the card.

But back then magnetic strips were widely used, and cloning is trivial. With emv cards, it’s the default and beyond gas stations few places are even possible to use magnetic strips now.

−1

HappyArtichoke7729 t1_ius7zfg wrote

You should report it to the police. It's literally their job to investigate the crimes and if they can prove it, send the evidence for prosecution. Why do you feel it's your job?

−2

ribasad t1_iusnsfb wrote

Does anyone frequent the Ashford? Asking seriously. Seems empty, often.

Not interested in visiting after seeing this post.

5

henry_sqared t1_iv0xcp0 wrote

It's deceptive because the place is seriously massive. There are like 4 different environments. Don't get me wrong, it's not my scene; I've only been in a couple of times, but I was amazed at how expansive the space is.

1

thedukeoferla t1_iurupnm wrote

Seems pretty on brand for that place

3

sturmen t1_iuvpkpg wrote

Color me surprised that the racist Ashford is only improving their reputation...

But this is an example of why always using Apple Pay/Google Wallet/Samsung Wallet is safest way to use your card!

1

nycnola t1_iuvqml9 wrote

Their system could be compromised, not necessarily an employee stealing info.

1