Violation

Today I discovered that someone has used my debit card, or rather used both Bear’s and mine. The transactions only add up to about $20, but that’s not the point. Someone has been getting in and I feel violated, privacy lost, security stifled, angry, depressed and just plain cranky.

For the record, I have cancelled both cards, alerted the bank and contacted the merchants to whom the transactions were supposedly made. One of them said it couldn’t have been them, they don’t take credit cards, one was a discontinued phone number and the other one had a full mailbox and couldn’t take any more messages. Hmm, strange…

I know that I didn’t take a hop over to Pistakee Heights, NY and get something printed, but someone used my debit card there and I don’t appreciate it. I don’t know how to snap out of this funk I am in, I’m short with the kids, cranky and downright down. I feel like smashing something!

When we were in SC, I lost the page that I photocopied from home that had all my passwords and logins for all my online accounts and now this. We just got a large amount of money and I feel like digging a hole in my backyard and burying it all.

EDITED TO ADD: Mrs Grits and I were having an email conversation and she commented that this kind of stuff just consumes your life when it happens. I think that this is the most annoying part of it all. Things that I took for granted, my debit card for instance, or the way that I pay some of my bills, my insurance company automatically withdraws from my account, makes me scared and upset. I can't even think coherantly right now. I'm constantly trying to figure out where my credit card number is floating. Did I use it there and the site wasn't secure? What about people looking over my shoulder at the ATM, can it be scanned in the parking lot when I'm using it inside a store? Am I being paranoid? Do I go back to cash only? I know some people who do that but what about things that I can't get locally? I do a fair bit of shopping on line, and in my scrapbooking business I place orders on line and take credit cards. How can I be sure that everything is safe. Argh!!

Comments

Sorry Mary. I hope things get better. Lots of love.
Anonymous said…
OH MY GOSH. Your bank should reimburse the funds and investigate. It's THEIR responsibility. Is your debit card a Visa? I'd make sure of it! YIKES
Kimberly said…
I am so sorry, Mary Lu! I am sure this has been consuming! I will be praying for you that God will give you wisdom and peace.
Katrina said…
the same thing happened to my mom... just two small charges. She cancelled the cards. I think that the risk is always there no matter what you do... I do all my banking and bill paying online, and we never have cash on us. I have never had a problem. I wouldn't completely stop using your cards and stuff online. Just make sure it is a secured site. (the little padlock symbol in the bottom right corner of the window) If you make sure of that, you shouldn't have any problems... and make sure to check your accounts regularly for wrong charges, just to be safe. =) Hope everything works out!
Laura said…
sorry I haven't been around in a while. It's been crazy busy around here with no end in sight. I thought I'd take a few minutes this morning to check on my blogging buddies! I'd love to get together for lunch if you are in the area anytime soon. Love, Laura
mariel said…
I found you through kmom's blog. This is terrible! I am so sorry, it is definately a mind and emotional and time consumer!! Praise Jesus, our heavenly treasure is stored up where no moth or theif can get it!! Praying for you as you seek to resolve this trial!!
Sara said…
Thanks! I think she's pretty cute too! ;-)

Bumbos are relatively new, but very popular now! And with good reason- they're made of hard foam, so they're pretty comfy and super easy to clean. They're basically just little chairs that support babies who are just learning to sit up- I have a high chair, but I feed Sophie in the Bumbo instead. You know, it was just about a week from when I bought it to when she started sitting up unassisted- I think it really helped her gain confidence & motivation. They're great! They come in a variety of colors, and now they even make trays that attach for toys, food, etc.
Me said…
I understand! That happened to us with our Discover card last year! Only it was significantly more money and it was used to access adult sites on the internet! Fortunately I regularly checked that account online and realized within a couple of days that our number had been stolen. I immediately called the companies and our credit card company. They credited all our money back and sent us new cards but there was no way to track the person because they used an anonymous gmail account from a hot spot location. We were told it was likely swiped by some waiter when we used the card to eat out since our cards themselves were not missing. It's distressing and you feel personally violated but be assured you'll feel a little better with time - though you'll watch your accounts closely!
Anonymous said…
Oh, that is disconcerting. I hope you don't have to deal with it once the new cards come. Hmm...I wonder if they test you with a few small charges first, to see if you're paying attention. Uh-oh--then I might be in trouble. Lol.
Carol said…
How frustrating! I am so sorry! :(
Anonymous said…
I am sorry to hear about the usage/theft on your debit card. I'd like to share a little of my story so others can beware.

First, I rarely took my credit card from the house. I used it to shop online and over the phone, but not very often. The card sat on the shelf above my desk.

I was surprised when the credit card company called ME to ask about unusual charges. That's when I realized we had a problem.

To make this short, this is what happened. A neighbor (friend? NOT!) apparently took it during a visit one day. Here's how she went about using it. Once a week, she'd go fill up her car with gas--pay at the pump. If the card was not declined, she knew it hadn't been reported stolen yet. Then she went shopping at Walmart. Generally some purchases and a gift card for later use. At one time she tried to get a $500 gift card, but the balance was too high to allow it. She tried twice more before finding an amount that it would accept. In the store, she just swiped the card through the reader and signed my name. I got copies of the receipts and recognized her writing and the purchases she made. But get this, WalMart never asked for ID and I was told that they don't when someone swipes the card through.

I wish all credit card required a pin when swiping, especially at the pump.

Although I reported this activity to the police in the three towns where the card was used and told my local police who I believed the thief to be, nothing came of it. Thankfully, the credit card people removed the charges (approx. $460) from my account. Just goes to show, sometimes you don't know who you can trust.

Take care with your credit/debit cards---even at home.

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