Not the Start I was Hoping For

Somehow, someone got ahold of my debit card number and racked up $173 in charges on my checking account. This has caused two overdraft transfers from my savings and a bounced check - to the tune of $205.

The very nice lady at the Credit Union told me that these thieves have a way of collecting your card info when you use an ATM. I'm not sure how, or when it happened. The charges started December 28th and the last time I used an ATM was December 21st. The scum perpetrating this slick scam didn't make large charges. They were small amounts appearing as "network" or "phone biller" charges. They showed up as point of sale transactions to 800 numbers. No charges were over $30, but they were frequent: 9 charges over 7 days, with 6 more denied charges due to insufficient funds.

Living paycheck to paycheck has it's advantages. I can only imagine how much they would have gotten, if I had a large balance, or only balanced my checkbook once a month. I check my balance online at least once a week.

Tomorrow I have to sit down with a service rep and write a letter formally disputing the charges. The nice lady told me I would be reimbursed the overdraft fees and the Credit Union would draft a letter explaining the fraud to the place where my check bounced. You cannot cash a check at this establishment for 14 days after a bounced check either clears, or you pay in cash.

The nice lady called two of the phone numbers of the fraudulent charges. The first just kept ringing. The second answered. When she asked the business she had dialed, the thick accented man replied, "You called me". When she started explaining the situation to the man, he hung up. Pretty shady.

My debit card was cancelled & shredded. Good timing, my check was to be direct deposited in an hour. Those SOB's weren't going to get anymore out of me. Bad timing with an empty gas tank, no cash & no way to cash a check (see above). SuperDad offered to give me some cash to tide me over. I feel like a total loser taking money from my parents. The circumstances of the situation don't matter, in my mind. I'm 42 years old and shouldn't be borrowing money from my parents. Add to that the guilt of them not accepting repayment or taking a check for the cash. Put everything else they're going through on top of that and I've got enough guilt to take me through the next millennium. That's just how I am.

Subject change.

My 21 year old puss; Cuddles is showing her age. It's been a week now. She's having trouble walking and her hind end gives out. She fell when attempting to jump on the couch & has fallen off the back of the couch. She walks like a drunk. Her eyesight is fine. Her hearing has been going for a while now. I'm hesitant in bringing her to the vet, because of the stress it would cause. She also hasn't been to the vet in years and the first thing they'll want to do is give her a rabies shot. To me, it's completely irrelevant to give a cat that has had zero risk of exposure to rabies in 15 years a rabies shot. Nevermind the fact that there's probably nothing they can do for her, she's just old. I understand that the vet would be legally bound to do this to protect other patients. She is still eating, drinking, pooping & peeing. I've made a soft bed for her next to my bed and that's where she spends all her time now, sleeping. It breaks my heart to know what's coming. As long as she's not suffering, I'd prefer she end her time at home, with me. Of course, if she tells me it's time, I will make that trip. She's a beautiful Calico that has brought such joy to my life (will post pictures of her lovable face soon). Never has a cat had such a fitting name, Cuddles. She reaches out and grabs your hand for more scratches and cuddles. She is the gentlest of felines, nothing but love from her.

Needless to say, this isn't exactly the start I was hoping for in the New Year. Maybe, I should have kept it simple and prayed for a better year in 2007. I almost titled this post "What the Fuck?!" Fitting, doncha think?