Identity Theft
March 14th, 2006
It’s Lunchtime. I walk into Taco Bell for my daily fast food dose of unhealthiness. I order my food, “number 8, crunchy, no lettuce.” I give the cashier my debit card, and watch in horror and he tries it once, twice, three times….OMG am I broke?!? He says, “this is a weird error, did you just activate this card?,” Even though it’s so used it looks like I’ve had it since I was 13. “No, I’ve had it for a while,” I respond. He asks if I have another card, and while I have an AMEX, it’s close to being maxed out, and I don’t want to take the chance that it gets rejected too, that would be REALLY embarrassing. So I tell him that it’s the only one I have, but that I’ll go outside and try to get some cash from the ATM.
I walk outside to the ATM wondering If I have any money left in my account. I decide I’m feeling lucky and I don’t attempt to check my balance, but jump right into taking out $20, “Fast Cash.” “This Card Cannot Be Used.” Wait, what? No, “Sorry you only have $.12 in your account.” No, “thank you here is your money.” This is weird. I decide to call the bank, although secretly relieved that I’m probably not broke, but this is some kind of bank error.
I try to call the back from my cell, but reception sucks on campus. I decide to tell the Taco Bell guy that I wont be coming back, because I can’t get cash. Again he asks if I have another card, and I’m like sorry man, this is my only one. I start walking away, but he stops me and gives me my food. “It’s cool man, we already made it.” So I get a free lunch, sort of….that was nice of them. But I’m not thinking too much about that, I’m thinking what the heck is up with my card?
I head back to work, and check my online banking. “Sorry there are no active accounts with that ID.” What is going on? I call customer service. They helpfully inform me that there have been some unauthorized transactions on my account, and that my account has been frozen. After talking with several different people, and giving my account number and security info about 5 times, they tell me that they will credit the money back to my account, pending an investigation, and they will mail me a new card, which will be delivered to my permanent address within 5 to 7 business days. I look at my statement, about $300 in $20 withdrawals were made to my account yesterday, in Miami, Florida! Those bastards.
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