Identity theft....

[Elliott]

:mad: I just found out I have been cleaned out by an ID thief in CT. I'm so mad.... Nobody seems to care much, especially the store that took a huge charge. Hey, they did nothing wrong. Except the card had the wrong name... and they won't reverse the charge because "I'm not gonna be screwed out of this money, your bank approved the charge". First of all, it's not a charge, it's a debit. Second, the manager took the charge and has a description of the thief. I've had to call Houston Police Dept to have them contact the Police Department in CT. I've gone as far as I can go for today. My bank has cut off the card, and detached it from my savings account, but they have no idea how many charges are pending. I think I've done everything I can from my end.... any ideas. It may take weeks to be refunded.... I know it's only money, but this is my operating money; paying bills money. They have messed with the wrong sucker here.... Anybody have Clint Eastwood's phone number? Love, Elliott

[dragonlady]

Elliott,

So sorry to hear about this...here is what I suggest...get a copy of your credit report right away and make sure that this person hasn't used your identity to get more credit in your name. Contact the bank your debit card is drawn on, frequently they have a fraud/identity theft unit to help you identify charges and other breaches to your credit and identity. There are other services by third parties that you could hire to help you if your fraud unit isn't helpful. Contact me by PM and I can tell you about one if you need it.



-di

[Mary6906]

I just want to go on the record here ... IT WASN'T ME!! :o

But seriously, that's horrible to have happen, Elliott. I try and monitor my bank account pretty much every day or every other day.... you never know these days. I sure hope things will work out for you and get your money back.

All the best.

[Ginny]

Elliott,
Oddly enough, I went directly from reading an article about author Jeffrey Deaver’s becoming a victim of identity theft to then reading about the same thing happening to you. Jeffrey Deaver went through heck re-establishing his credit. Then he decided to write a murder mystery on this topic! I wonder why…

[KarenSews2]

Elliott, I am so sorry! I was going to make some crack about them not knowing it was YOUR identity, but...

Did you lose your card? just how did the varmints get your info? My daughter's wallet was stolen last week, and they immediately went to gas stations to "test" it by makind $1 purchases. This allerted the fraud people, and they called Bailey. She has her new card and driver's license.

I hope you catch the bastards!! Threaten them with bad haircuts! Or for that matter, you just go ahead and cut off anything you want to !!:eek:

Good luck, my friend!
Karen

[Elliott]

Thank you everyone... I have no idea how the thief got my information. All he had were correct numbers on a fake CC. Not my name, or ID, just a fake credit card. I have a new card on the way, and my account info won't change, which is a relief due to automatic payments, etc.... The Houston Police Department took it very seriously and faxed a report to CT this evening. Hopefully it will just be a little hassle.

To put things in perspective, my friend came to visit this evening and left around 1:00 am. As I was brushing my tooth and looking forward to sleep my cell phone rings. I missed the call, but the message was just background voices, and I could hear someone asking if he was alright. I called back and he answered the phone with, "I think I'm in trouble." Long story short, he was involved in a car accident, but nobody was injured. His brand new Audi TT seems pretty much totaled, and what's with that air bag smell? I was there within five minutes, put him in my car and told him to stay there and not say a word. I drove him home, called the insurance company, arranged for a rental and made sure he was okay. I didn't need a reminder, but nothing is important but the health and safety of the one's we love. Nothing else matters to me. And now, as grateful as I am, I'm ready for this day to end.

Love, Elliott

[Roady]

Ah Elliott, I'm sorry!!! That really sucks!!! The same thing happened to a lot of people in my area, including my sister, who shopped at Hannaford's Supermarket. Purchases were made in Europe using her card number. I believe it was a Visa debit card. None of the cards were stolen, this was all done over the computer! It must have been quite wide spread because even though it didn't happen to me, my bank still issued me a new debit card.

Hope it all works out!

[dragonlady]

Elliott,

You never cease to amaze me...you can spin around a bad situation you are in to see the best and take care of yourself and others. It is a great quality you have, one I saw at dinner that night in Pittsburgh. It is a pleasure and honer to know you.

-di

[Dee]

:mad: I just found out I have been cleaned out by an ID thief in CT. I'm so mad.... Nobody seems to care much, especially the store that took a huge charge.

Oh boy Elliott, sorry to hear about this. I am ultra careful with my cards and financial info but I'm also aware that in this day and age anyone can be targeted no matter how careful we are. I hope the authorities can get to the bottom of this and that you can get this nightmare sorted out before long!

[Bat]

Sounds to me like the perp was just making cards with sequential numbers and yours happened to be there...maybe a big ring of perps! I hope they catch them and put them where the sun don't shine!
Meanwhile, I'm sorry to hear about your friend's accident..you're a good pal to take care of him in time of distress...(of course he'd do the same for you.)

I do hope things get straightened out with the CC and that your friend is not hurt in any way, although it's a damn shame about the new Audi...drat.
Hope he gets a new one out of it!

And, most of all, I hope all this silliness comes to a screeching halt with the dawn of a new day!
Best to you both, Elliott..big hugs!

[Elliott]

Thank you all for your very kind words.... Everything is fine here. Best to all.
Love, Elliott

[hoops]

Elliott,
I'm sending rudie vibes positive thoughts and prayers your way. you do have a great attitude about it all, i hope it all gets cleared up soon and i hope you friend is well
peace
hoops

[Dar]

Oh Elliott! What a bummer! I'm glad it's getting taken care of.
I hope your friend is okay.