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Fraud, pesky little thing
- May 13, 2009 at 12:18 AM
- By
- Comments (5) Total Views (118) Everyone can see this journal post.
Some of us don't even want to look at our bank account let alone check it every morning over a cup of coffee (or tea). But that is what I do every morning. I wake up and grab myself either tea or coffee and check my Bank of America account.
So when my account some how suspiciously went down to 20 dollars I waited a day to see where the money went (sometimes it won't refresh the days spending until the next day). That is when today I opened up my checking account to find out 54 dollars was sent to Canada for something bought at a news stand. At first all I can think about is "What did I spend 54 dollars on?!"
My husband and I are tightening our belts due to inactivity on the job market. So extra spending is a no no unless we have it. And we didn't have it. I then ran over to Manuel and asked him if he did any spending. He just shook his head and said no. The only thing we spent money on was for two cable adapters for our laptop power cords (ebay 12 dollars a piece muwahahaha). But those were needed and it usually shows up as Paypal.
My next step was to call the banks main number for their customer service. They said it was a very suspicious spend since the purchase didn't even happen in our state. So they sent us to their fraud department. It took me all of an hour to fix the problem. They deactivated my card number and automatically called my main branch to let them know I would be heading in that day to open a new account.
My husband didn't think he needed to be there so I went alone. Luckily on a Tuesday at 3pm it isn't busy so I walked right up to the teller and told her that due to a Fraudulant activity on my account I needed to see someone about a new account. She asked if I knew what had happened and I told her someone bought Porn on my account. Yep I found out what it was and took care of it right away. She looked shocked and asked me if I was devistated over it and I told her "Kind of, I mean they buy porn on my account and they don't even share with me." She busted up laughing and sent me to one of their main managers.
By the time the manager had met me she had me set down in front of one of her top guys and they started up a new account. Luckily I am a student so they set me up with a student account. Two free checking accounts plus savings (one checking for my bills and another for fun). Then he told me about Bank of America now offering spiffy new check cards with what ever I want on it for free. I had to refrain from getting the hello kitty ones because it would come in two's and that would mean my big huge macho hispanic husband would have to be swiping a Hello Kitty check card when he is out with his cousins.
No.... that wouldn't work. So I opted for a military helicopter on one check card and for the other checking account wolves.
My best friend asked me "How can you have a sense of humor at a time like this?" Well that is just me. When the world is ending I will be the person who turns to everyone saying "Crud! I knew I should have maxed out my credit cards when I had the chance!"
So my advice is check your accounts as much as possible, use your antivirus software to scan the computer every morning for virus's and get rid of them, change your passwords once a month or at least every four months, and when you find your accounts are hacked into remain calm because if you flip out it will just take longer than it should.
Because when you are yelling at them they have to use all their time to calm you down when they could be fixing the problem as fast as they can.
Comments:
I just went through the same thing this year. A purchase from India for over 600.00 from my savings account. I had to cancel the account and get a new accout with Bank of America. I keep watch on my account online a lot now. Also I only use one credit card that has a limited amount of money (debit) when I order online which I think stopped fraud in my account.
I really don't like people who mess with things that are not there's.
Yeah I have two accounts. That way if this thing happens again there is only a set amount of money in it and I can close that down easier and still have my back up account.
I have Military Bank of America and recently had over 200 charged to my account from the internet. Yep, i was heated, but they fixed me right up! I don't care what anyone says, bank of America is a leader in customer service for me.
PS, I would've gotten the Hello Kitty just to tease my hubby! LOL He is a big, macho soldier boy--I would've LOVED to see his face when his buddies razzed him over that! LOL
Now that you put it that way lol I am thinking of calling them back and switching it to Hello Kitty LOL. I told him to give everyone the serious face and then when they say hi to lay the gay voice on thick.
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My Granny and I recently went through the same thing, well they didnt buy porn just cells phones, it is a pain in the butt, you are right if you remain calm it goes a lot faster...
- tericared
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