Teach Soap

Almost literally!

I ordered some stuff from one of my suppliers over the weekend. Today I got an email from them saying my credit card was declined. I found that odd, so I called my credit card's little automated system, and the next thing I knew, I was being transferred to customer service. When the nice lady came on the line and asked how she could help me, I told her I had no idea, as I had just been transferred.

Long story short, it seems that purchases made at a Texas Target were charged to my card. Problem is, I live in Colorado.

My credit card company is closing the account, and issuing another card with a new number. I'm also going to file a police report. I'm seriously thinking about contacting my CC company again and getting the location of the Target or Targets in question, and filing a report with the police/sheriff in that jurisdiction.

Heck, if I could figure out how to do it, I'd be siccing the Texas Rangers on whoever did this.

Argh, argh!

And me trying to learn how to make lotions and such!

A pox upon their house!

Anita

I recently had a cab company I'd used for a week steal my card number. They were charging me for fares when I was no longer visiting that city, on the complete other side of the country. I was livid! I agree, a pox upon their house! Bastards... how dare they slow the pace at which you can create!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Anita, have you figured out how the information was stolen from you? I try to be ever so cautious but then I get comfortable and relax until I hear about it again. I hope you can get this resolved quickly.

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

Several months back we had our credit card number stolen. It was used to buy plane tickets from Paris to St. Petersburg! Thankfully our credit union caught it right away and closed our account and issued us new cards before we were even notified about what happened.

Anita, that's awful! But, thankfully it was caught before it caused too many problems!

I heard on the news the other day that one of the CC companies (I can't remember which now ) was hacked into and a large number of CC numbers were stolen, but no personal info was accessed. They were supposed to be closing all the related accounts and issuing new cards. What a headache!

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

What a headache. I've had my CC number used for some farm equipment. I don't live on a farm!

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Any time your CC is used at a brick and mortar store that you have never been to, you should assume that whoever used it has more than just your card number. It's fairly easy to steal someones identity and empty a bank account that is associated to that CC. There are some ways to prevent this, and lots of companies that will protect you for a fee..... but you can protect yourself for free.
Allclearid.com is one of the companies that offer basic protection for free, and consumerdebit.com has a process to protect your bank account and credit report, but you have to be more proactive with this one because you need to remember to unlock your information if you are trying to get a loan.
You can google either of these to check them out.

......O.K., I'm taking my serious hat back off again.

I've been told that the best thing you can have is a crosscut paper shredder that also does CDs and old CCs. Shred EVERYTHING that has even your name on it. ID theft isn't really an issue in Canada, but it is something I'm worried about because I am moving to the US (tomorrow!!!). Also if you shop online or do online banking it is imperative that you only use sites that you, or someone you trust, have used before or researched well. A firewall is also a great idea. The built in windows defender is wonderful! I keep mine on the highest setting.

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Thanks for the info, Dave! I try to pay cash for everything I buy at an actual store - saves a lot of trouble. When we bought a new fridge the salesman asked if we wanted to put it on our CC and I said no it would be cash. He looked at me like I had just sprouted another head...I don't think he knew hot to do a cash transaction!

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!