I mean, what tea would you drink if you woke up to identity theft? Ok not real identity theft, credit card identity theft. I’ve already reviewed this tea so I’m taking this post as a vent session.
I got a recorded message this morning from one of my credit card companies saying they’d like me to call them to verify some recent transactions. I get this a lot from PayPal Bill me Later so I figured it was routine and whatnot. Called them back, and it turns out that there was a transaction attempted yesterday in Brooklyn NY for $900 somewhere (ummm I live in Northern Vermont), then there was another one for $750 in Target in Brooklyn (Vermont is one of the only 3 states without a Target, which just adds to my frustration). Luckily, my shopping habits are so that I didn’t have nearly $750 left on my limit and it got declined. There’s this angry badass side of me that wants to track down the SOB and sue the shit out of him (or her, sorry) but then there’s the tea drinking side that thinks a good meditation, a hot cup of a decadent tea, and my favorite lipgloss is all I need to bounce back.
Has this happened to anyone else? I know it’s super common in the US but I don’t know a single person who it has happened to and I never in a million years thought it would be me.
Comments
listen to this! A case of credit card fraud sets an amateur sleuth on a crime-solving caper…
http://themoth.org/posts/storytellers/tristan-jimerson
This happened to my mom through paypal a few ywars ago also and it was a nightmare to get the money refunded. I don’t ynderstand how someone can justify stealing another person’s money. I hope everything works out!
it worked out ok for me because the transactions got declined…because like what 23 year old social worker has ANY available balance on her credit card? haha. Someone legit made a copy of my card and swiped it, it wasn’t even an internet thing, and I had the original in my wallet the whole time.
Ugh, I feel you. My CC number got stolen the other day. It has happened a lot to me at this point, mostly because one of my previous credit cards from one particular bank was super unsecure and kept getting stolen. I literally had 3 new credit cards in 6 months, and it happened to some friends of mine with a card from the same bank. One time it was a copy-of-my-card thing like this, while I had the card in my possession. This most recent time it was a different card, but still annoying. Mostly just that though—annoying. You are never liable for the charges (even if they did go through) if the card is still in your possession, so its the inconvenience of waiting for a new card in the mail and updating your credit card information with places. I keep a backup card for just such occasions so I don’t get stuck without a CC.
Oh, and I could look back through my tasting log to find out what I drink afterward… usually one of my faves for comfort. :)
My mom got a specific CapitalOne card for international travel before we spent a week in France, though I was there for my study abroad beforehand and I had my own card. About 8 months later, they call her about iTunes purchases with MY card number, which was NEVER even used!
My debit card will get shut down all the time if I use it as a credit card. It drives me nuts. I always accidentally hit “use as a credit card” when I’m reloading my transit card and that sets it off. I appreciate that they’re so pro-active about it, but the call to set them straight comes as soon as the train goes underground.
It happened to me through a PayPal. It was such a pain to get it all straightened out. I stopped using PayPal because of it.
I hope you are able to get everything cleared up quickly!
My aunt had her number swiped at a gas station and the thieves racked up $1000 in gas, bought a set of china and went to a fancy restaurant, luckily the credit card company forgave her these charges. On a more humerous note my cousin had an aunt who hardly ever used her card and almost never for large transactions, so when she spent over $300 for an outfit for her sons wedding the CC company called her almost as soon as she got home.
It’s happened to my Dad and it’s happened to Rayn. The person who stole Rayn’s cc number tried to buy a washing machine at home depot with it.
Credit card theft seems almost inevitable :( I know SO many people it has happened to! A nurse at a hospital swiped my mom’s card (while she was in heart surgery) and bought dinner for an ENTIRE TOWN in Mexico. My boyfriend got his card stolen by someone trying to donate thousands to an Australian school… strange stuff.
That’s awful, I’m glad the charges didn’t go through. Thieves are getting smarter and smarter. Technology makes it easier and easier for people to steal. Its so sad.
listen to this! A case of credit card fraud sets an amateur sleuth on a crime-solving caper…
http://themoth.org/posts/storytellers/tristan-jimerson
it hasn’t happened to me but i worry about it all the time. seriously.
This happened to my mom through paypal a few ywars ago also and it was a nightmare to get the money refunded. I don’t ynderstand how someone can justify stealing another person’s money. I hope everything works out!
it worked out ok for me because the transactions got declined…because like what 23 year old social worker has ANY available balance on her credit card? haha. Someone legit made a copy of my card and swiped it, it wasn’t even an internet thing, and I had the original in my wallet the whole time.
Oh my goodness, that’s scary! I’m glad it was declined!
Ugh, I feel you. My CC number got stolen the other day. It has happened a lot to me at this point, mostly because one of my previous credit cards from one particular bank was super unsecure and kept getting stolen. I literally had 3 new credit cards in 6 months, and it happened to some friends of mine with a card from the same bank. One time it was a copy-of-my-card thing like this, while I had the card in my possession. This most recent time it was a different card, but still annoying. Mostly just that though—annoying. You are never liable for the charges (even if they did go through) if the card is still in your possession, so its the inconvenience of waiting for a new card in the mail and updating your credit card information with places. I keep a backup card for just such occasions so I don’t get stuck without a CC.
Oh, and I could look back through my tasting log to find out what I drink afterward… usually one of my faves for comfort. :)
My mom got a specific CapitalOne card for international travel before we spent a week in France, though I was there for my study abroad beforehand and I had my own card. About 8 months later, they call her about iTunes purchases with MY card number, which was NEVER even used!
My debit card will get shut down all the time if I use it as a credit card. It drives me nuts. I always accidentally hit “use as a credit card” when I’m reloading my transit card and that sets it off. I appreciate that they’re so pro-active about it, but the call to set them straight comes as soon as the train goes underground.
It happened to me through a PayPal. It was such a pain to get it all straightened out. I stopped using PayPal because of it.
I hope you are able to get everything cleared up quickly!
Happened to my Mum when she was on vacation in Europe!
My aunt had her number swiped at a gas station and the thieves racked up $1000 in gas, bought a set of china and went to a fancy restaurant, luckily the credit card company forgave her these charges. On a more humerous note my cousin had an aunt who hardly ever used her card and almost never for large transactions, so when she spent over $300 for an outfit for her sons wedding the CC company called her almost as soon as she got home.
It’s happened to my Dad and it’s happened to Rayn. The person who stole Rayn’s cc number tried to buy a washing machine at home depot with it.
Credit card theft seems almost inevitable :( I know SO many people it has happened to! A nurse at a hospital swiped my mom’s card (while she was in heart surgery) and bought dinner for an ENTIRE TOWN in Mexico. My boyfriend got his card stolen by someone trying to donate thousands to an Australian school… strange stuff.
That’s awful, I’m glad the charges didn’t go through. Thieves are getting smarter and smarter. Technology makes it easier and easier for people to steal. Its so sad.
This happened to my mom last week.. just in smaller amounts. hmm. I’m sorry it happened to you!