[See earlier post to keep up with my credit fraud issue]
So as we were about to leave for dinner the phone rang. I looked at the caller ID and saw an 866 number. My heart sank. Richard picked it up right away. A moment later he called down to me, “Honey, it’s [another credit co.] Card.”
I panicked. Had my entire identity been stolen? My heart raced as I picked up the phone. A man on the other end asked me how I was doing, and before I could quite get an answer out, he started telling me about other services offered right now with [another credit co.] Card. I practically hung up on him in my relief. A solicitor. Phew! But we had to laugh as we realized he was probably offering fraud protection.
I am going to have to look into a ‘credit watch’ or something just to be sure my other stuff is safe. My info (depending what they have!) could have been used to open additional accounts, as we all are aware. I am actually very surprised that my bank didn’t offer this service right away. I clearly wasn’t thinking to ask about it, but now that I have done a bit of research, it is quite often to watch a ‘victim of fraud’s’ credit free for 30 days to be sure it goes no further. Of course my bank has no 24 hour service to call for this. Should I call the fraud number again?
I won’t be able to sleep tonight. It’s frustrating because I know how careful I am about my finances online as well as at home. We even shed junk mail for cry-eye! Oh, and I keep thinking of that commercial…
So I get home today and notice that there are 3 messages on the answering machine. Three messages on the land line is really not normal. I listen right away… The first message was a junk solicitor. Bah. Delete. The next message made me panic. “This is a message from [Bank Security] for Daniel. It is very important that you call us back regarding unusual activity on your credit card” Meaning my ATM CARD!! the next message was worse, “Early Warning Department for [Credit Card Co.]...”
I was trembling as I dialed the phone. I called the credit card company first, as that is a card I haven’t used in over a year. It has a zero balance. Luckily it still does. Apparently someone tried to use it for a plane ticket. On Air Canada. Weird. They are closing the card and issuing me a new one. I wanted to close it, but he put me on hold. I couldn’t wait and hung up. I had another call to make.
My ATM was used in 3 transactions that weren’t me. All were declined. I don’t know how they figured it out. But luckily they did and the transactions were declined at POS.
I am soooo lucky. This could have been a mess. I cannot figure out how they got my info. My ATM is with me all the time. It had to be a card reader somewhere. The credit card was one that I payed off and shredded a year ago. I have NO idea how someone could come up with that one. Oddly, the card that I use for all my online transactions is so far untouched. I feel really super paranoid tho. I will be watching things more closely now. Interesting that the plane ticket purchase was for Air Canada tho. When I spoke to my mom she mentioned that there has been a rash of Canadian credit fraud out her way in Florida. Coincidence?
Anyhoo. I have no access to my cash so my man is gonna buy me dinner. Later!
“Will it ever come? And if it does come, will I still be human?”
Tomorrow is the big day. The trial regarding my issue last year. I was gonna link back, but it’s a lot of member’s only stuff so why bother? I was a victim. I am going to court. Finally. After a lot of drama and false alarms.. ‘Nuff said.
What does one wear to testify anyway? I mean, I want to look successful, as I will run into people I used to work with (dreading that). I also want to feel confidant on the stand. Supposedly this is ‘the big one’ with a jury and everything. I feel so Serial Mom. I should flash my crotch! Kidding. I kid. But really, I am thinking black pinstripe pants with a black shirt. All black. I love that look. No tie though. That way I am also comfortable. It’ll be hot in there, or at least I will be. I am sure that it’ll be worse than the preliminary bit I had to testify at last year, and I sweated like a whore in church for that one! I think it has to do with the fact that all the ‘defendant’s’ friends and family sat all over the courtroom. I had no safe place to look, you know. I hope that isn’t allowed at the real trial, that type of seating. It was really hard to not just shut my eyes the last time. Also the last time we were forced to wait in the same area as the family of the defendant. Talk about intimidating! They referred to us as ‘the fucking tattle tales’ on their cell phone calls to god knows who as we were waiting in the hallway outside the courtroom. I do not need that again. I really do not need that again. I will say something this time. I will. I feel more powerful now.
I am subpoena’d yet again. Someone hold me while I slit my wrists and spray blood over the district attorney. Bastard. I don’t even remember the fucking crime anymore. I blocked it out and drank a lot of booze to ensure that that part of my brain died. Leave me the fuck alone. Shit.
Goddamn. Take my advice people. NEVER call the police. I don’t care what happened to you. It is not worth a subpoena every time the piece of shit that did you wrong farts. It’s like never ending harassment. Here we are on my TENTH anniversary with my man and the day after I have to GO TO FUCKING COURT. AGAIN?? For the piece of shit criminal that NEVER shows up?? And if I don’t show up I get arrested?? Something is wrong with our system. Very wrong. I never asked for this. After all was said and done that night and I was still alive I just wanted to go home. I didn’t care of the fucks that did it lived or died.
temperature: 59°F (15°C)
feels like: 57°F (14°C)
humidity: 63.2%
sky conditions: mostly cloudy
conditions: clear
wind: from the W at 9 mph
visibility: 10 mi ( 16.1 km)
updated: 05/26/2012 7:51 am
So I get home today and notice that there are 3 messages on the answering machine. Three messages on the land line is really not normal. I listen right away… The first message was a junk solicitor. Bah. Delete. The next message made me panic. “This is a message from [Bank Security] for Daniel. It is very important that you call us back regarding unusual activity on your credit card” Meaning my ATM CARD!! the next message was worse, “Early Warning Department for [Credit Card Co.]...” 
angry 
