Editor:
As we age, I think we all find simpler ways to do things. My hands are crippled with arthritis and I can write my stories just fine on my computer. But writing checks has long ago become a problem.
I thought I had found a simple solution. I used my bank’s credit card for everything and quit writing checks. I charged all my utilities etc. to my credit card on automatic pay. My credit card was tied to my checking account and automatically paid on the correct date. Things were just rolling along so well. We could go on a trip and knew everything was taken care of.
For the last few years I never needed to write checks for much of anything else. Just my tithe for our church and a few charities we help with. It was much easier for my husband and I that way.
Last Sunday, I had a rude awakening with a call from my bank’s fraud department. My credit card was being used by someone else in Romania, and three large purchases were made. The phone call told me my credit card was now cancelled. A new credit card would come for us in seven days. I would need to call all the automatic payers, and let them know that I would need to pay another way. And Monday morning I would need to call my bank and work with them. About then, I had a knot in my stomach that was very bad. The bubble of an easier way to purchase was broken.
“How could this happen?” I asked the lady on the phone. She said people are making many fake cards using made-up numbers and one in 50 would be a good one that these crooks can use. How can this be? I have to sign for my slips, but these crooks have just made cards with I believe their own names on them but by using my numbers – I get to pay the bill.
Thank goodness, the bank paid the bill for me.
This past busy week of Christmas shopping, I struggled to write several checks. I missed my simple way of paying and suppose I will just go back to doing it all again when the new card arrives because it works for me.
The only thing I can think that I did different this Christmas was I made an on-line purchase at Amazon. com for several books I ordered as presents. Could this be the breech of safety? I can’t say for sure. But I thought since I don’t like to drive around so many places to buy things – just give the Internet a try. Well, if you are doing a lot of on-line purchases – maybe you should really be careful.
Back when our town had many shops to buy presents from and have them wrap the packages, it was so great! I always have believed in buy at home and now I know it is much safer for sure.
The people who bought identity theft protection were smarter than I and maybe smarter than my bank too. Perhaps this letter will make you think!
Mona Waibel
Sweet Home