[Jodylee]

This morning I went to a salon to buy my husband his Birthday/Valentine's Day present (a gift cert for a massage).

The girl runs my debit card through and then she gets a notice that there is a hold on my account.

I know there is plenty of money in my account so I am freaking at this point.

I call the number on my Visa debit card and after pushing twenty different numbers to get throught the menu options, I get through to the Visa FRAUD department.

Apparently, a half and hour after my son used my debit card at a Barnes & Noble last night near my home, someone in MEXICO tried to use "my" card at a department store, a gas, station, and an electronics store!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It seems that people will get a hold of your number (unscrupulous employees at retailers, restaurants etc) and make a duplicate card. OH SHITE!!!

The Visa company declined all of the transactions because the card couldn't possibly be in Florida and Mexico at the same time. Thank goodness they caught this and didn't let my bank account be drained!!!!

Here is where the story gets funny, tehe! I haven't been all that great cognitively lately . So I tell the salon I'm going to go home and get my check book because my card has been canceled at this point. I live only a mile from the salon so it wasn't that big of a deal.

I get home, get my checkbook and realize I'm down to my last check!!!!LOL. I don't want to not have my husband's gift. I figure, I'll risk it and pray that I don't fill out the check wrong, ahhhh so much pressure!!!!!!!!!

Well, I had someone else fill out the check, tehe! I knew I wouldn't be able to do it right!

I got the gift certificate and came home. I realize "Oh crap!" I may have to leave on a moment's notice to go to Pittsburgh because of my mom's health problems! I won't have a debit card. I have to have my dh drive me tomorrow morning 22 miles away to the main branch of my credit union to have them issue me a new one on the spot. ROFLMAO, because I also have to have an mri tomorrow and i'm freaking claustrophobic. I will be needing a double dose of xanax.

Please pray for my sanity.

[sugarboo]

OMG Joelle!

what an inconvienance! I had that happen with a business card, except they let the purchase thru....and then made me prove I didn't do the purchases!! Sounds like you have a better bank than I had!

Sorry that happened....good luck getting it all back together

[Bannet]

I'm really glad they caught it in time. You could have had a real mess on your hands.

[ckepi]

Thank goodness they stopped the use of your card but maybe they could have called to let you know .

I'm glad it worked out and I hope hubby enjoys the gift, I know I would.

I hope all goes well tomorrow!

[Kitty]

OMG Joelle!! What a headache. Thank goodness the bank caught it in time. It's scary what these thieves can do. Something similar happened to a friend of mine at work and for this reason alone I do not use my debit (or credit) cards in restaurants. They walk away with your card and you have no idea what is being done with it. I hope they get it all straightened out for you tomorrow morning. Maybe it's a good thing you've got the MRI scheduled for tomorrow, too. You can have your double dose of xanax and forget about things for a while!!

[Jules A]

What a pain! I'm also glad they foiled their attempt to steal your money. Best wishes for an easier day tomorrow and good luck with the MRI. Hugs, Jules

[karousel]

Wow! I'm glad they caught it and stopped them from being able to spend your money. But what a pain! Don't forget to get some new checks while you're getting your new debit card. Good luck on your MRI. Take deep breaths...it will all work out. I hope your mom is doing good.

[suzyqz_2007]

I'm so glad they caught it in time, it sure could have been more of a pain if they didn't. Odd thing is, our bank called today, someone made some purchases using my dh's Visa debit card. They used it 3 times out of the country! Thankfully the bank noticed it and called. They have reported the card as stolen and said they will continue to track it.

[BeckyD]

We had a similar experience, except with a credit card. Someone tried buying vitamins over the internet at 4 in the morning. That company called me and asked if I had done it. Nooooo, we were sleeping!!! A few minutes after that, the credit card company's fraud dept called regarding several suspicious transactions.

We're still not sure exactly how it happened. There were about 25 small transactions in all. We were not liable for any of it, but it sure was disconcerting to think someone out there was trying to use our account. The fraud dept & also all the businesses (we contacted each of them) said this happens "all" the time. I was relieved and reassured that our credit card company was so vigilant, but I now make a point of checking our account & also our bank account daily online just in case something slips through.

[BaxterTheBunny]

Oh Joelelee!

So glad they caught it in time. Hope you get everything straightened out.