Recently, while reconciling my credit card statement, I discovered a charge for on-line movie rental, which struck me as odd, because we’d suspended our on-line movie rental account months ago. Upon investigation, I found a charge in the previous statement as well. I’m fastidious about reconciling my statements (and mercilessly nagging Gadget to produce his receipts), but I don’t necessarily get to them promptly. So, two rogue charges. I called the movie company, and they verified that my account is still deactivated, so they ran my credit card number and voila. Up popped another account, using my real name, my real address, and my credit card number. The email address was myrealnameandsomenumber at gmail, and the security question was something unfamiliar to me. They deactivated the account immediately and flagged it for fraud, and I called my credit card company and explained the situation as well. I had to cancel that card immediately, and was issued a new number.
At least the fraudulent charges were small, under $40 in all, but distressing is the fact that somebody was able to acquire my name, address, and credit card number, all three. How did they do that? So much more damage could have been done. I have a ridiculously high credit limit, and I’ve always felt nervous having a limit that’s more than I could pay off in a month. I use a credit card for everything, but I pay the entire balance each month, so never pay any interest. Plus, it’s one of those cash back cards, so I actually save money by using it, and it pays for my Costco membership as well. All good!
The problem is, my new card hasn’t arrived, and it seems like it’s been ages, so I feel like I’m hanging out to dry. My independence is compromised. I’m tied to Gadget for the time being, because his card number didn’t have to be reissued with mine, even though they’re on the same account. I was told it would take 7-10 days, and it seems like it has been over two weeks. I feel like I can’t function! I have automatic payments tied to that card, so even though I know the number, I don’t have the security code or the expiration date, so I can’t properly update the auto-pay functions, nor can I make on-line payments. So frustrating! Like a kid waiting for Santa Claus, I check the mailbox every day, looking for that silly card. Am I a credit card junkie? I need that card!
It’s such a shame, in this day and age, that identity theft is a reality. I’m just thankful that I was able to nip things in the bud, and that the damage was small. If I weren’t in this particular physical state, at the moment, I might be quite a bit more worked up over this whole affair, and feel more violated, but I simply don’t have the mental or emotional capacity for any more stress than this. I hope it’s all over.
MsCellania Says: