Identify Theft

[vintage girl]

Well my identity was stolen this morning. When I checked my bank account when I got up this am (4:30am), everything was okey-dokey. I was watching to make sure my house payment had been taken out ok. Well when I checked again at 7:40am when I got into work, my account had been robbed of just under $4000:eek::mad: They used my debit card and made online purchases of magazines, stocks and also hypnosis. Maybe the hypnosis was to help them get hypnotized so they will not steal anymore:confused::mad: Luckily my bank stopped the charges after the 3rd charge and froze my debit card. The thief still attempted to make at least 3 dozen more internet charges. They also put the money back in my account and we have started a fraud investigation. The funds/charges were on hold, so they will come out of my account again by at least Monday. When that happens, I will need to contact my bank again and they will courtesy credit me the funds while they complete the fraud investigation. What a pain. I am now without a debit card until they send me a new one. Luckily I had some cash on me for lunch today. Hubs card was ok, so we will be using that until my card arrives. I asked the bank how this happened and they said the most common way to steal debit card info is when you make a gas purchase. I always choose the credit option when I buy gas, but do use my debit card elsewhere. They said it is safer to only use the credit option. That will definately be what I do from now on. I swear I might just go home and put my money under my mattress from now on. I work in computers, so I know how prevalent internet theft it, but I never figured it would be me. Hopefully they will track this person down. As far as the stock purchase, you have to give your social to order stocks, so wonder how they managed that purchase????

[ChapterTwo]

I am so sorry to hear about the Identity Theft, vintage girl!
One time, over $500 in purchases were made on my father's credit card number, but the cc company called us because it was in the Bronx, NY, and I guess they felt it didn't seem "right" and wasn't.

But yours is a whole lot messier...I hope that they can get everything straightened out for you soon and I guess that means (courtesy credit) that you won't be responsible for any of it?? I hope that's true.

I'm glad you're keeping your sense of humor (re the hypnosis)! ;)
It's what we must do in situations like this...
Hang in there!

Hugs,
ChapterTwo

[vintage girl]

My credit union said I will not be responsible for the charges, but it takes about a month to complete the investigation. In the meantime, they front me the funds until the investigation is completed. More than anything, I feel violated and am very very leery now of using my cards at all. I also pay all my bills online. I do use encrypted sites, but you still have to wonder:(:mad: I am keeping my sense of humor, at least for now. But this am when I first saw what happened, I definately was not a happy camper. But acting quickly is the key to handling these types of things, and luckily we were not out of town without access to a computer to discover what had happened. We are planning on going out for a long weekend next Friday. My bank said they are watching the account very closely, so hopefully nothing else will happen:eek:

[ChapterTwo]

I can understand how violated you must feel. Here you are, just minding your own business and evil people are taking control!

Would you consider taking some money out of that account and putting it into another bank? Maybe that would make you feel a bit more comfortable.

I get so angry at the fact that law abiding citizens have to keep trying to stay one or more steps ahead of the bad guys. And you're certainly right - timing was everything - it was a good thing that you weren't away when all of this happened.

[vintage girl]

What I can do is transfer my funds to one of my secondary savings accounts. Those funds do not attach to my debit/credit cards. Than when I need funds, just pull out the cash instead. My bank actually suggested that and once my house payment clears, I am going to do that. I agree, it is so disgusting that we work hard, are good people, but we still get ripped off:(:mad: I am by nature a very trusting person, and really do not think about this kind of thing happening, but I will definately be more cautious in the future.

[shabbychick]

Ugh, that's just awful! I'm so sorry this happened to you. I'm glad your bank was so proactive, though. It's nice to know they have your back. I love the convenience of my debit card, but every time I use it online or at the gas station, I wonder if someone's going to clean me out before I get home. I hope it all works out well for you!