Oh, Snap. My Identity Got Stolen Again.
[Editor's Note: I hesitate to even write this because it will confirm my mother's suspicions that black helicopters follow you everywhere on the Internet. But I feel compelled to share in case you live in fear of identity theft and have a good bank.]
The other day I was trying to withdraw money to throw away on overpriced food at the Royals game when the ATM machine was all I don't think so and spit an 800 number at me. We tried Beloved's card and it went through just fine. After a quick call to Bank of America, I learned that my account was restricted because of unusual use.
As much as I have complained and hated on Bank of America, I have to admit they have a killer fraud department. This is the second time they have caught someone trying to use my card before any money escaped. Someone made a $1 charge at a hotel in another state and immediately reversed it, then a few hours later bought something for less than $30 on the Internet. That is how identity thieves take a test bite of you before annhilating your account.
As a result, I haven't been able to use my debit card since Saturday. I need to get a new one. But it was more fun to drag Beloved around with me to the grocery store and Walmart on Sunday with a huge pile of stuff and then smile sweetly and say thank you and run away when it was time to pay.
I do worry about identity theft, but I also realize it's impossible for me to move through life never using my cards. I remember when my sister lived in Oregon, she got her checks washed (I didn't even know that was a thing), and even that righted itself in time. So thank you, Bank of America, for being so on top of my checking account. Even though I hate your fees.
Speaking of shopping online, now that you're thoroughly either a) freaked out or b) feeling all nice and warm and safe, you may have noticed the little store I've got going on in my left rail. The folks at mphoria asked if I might like to make available some stuff for sale related to what I write about. If there is anything interesting in there, I may point it out from time to time. I don't pick everything, but I do pay attention. For example, there was a subscription to US Weekly and I asked them to remove it due to the whole misogynistic body bashing thing. I also asked for as much hardware and home improvement-related stuff they could get their hands on. The last time I looked, it contained a flashlight, "sleeping pants," water bottles and Harry Potter DVDs. If you buy something, I get a cut of some sort. Capitalism!