Now you know someone (or someone else?) that it's happened to...

PEM was checking our accounts today and noticed that I was overdrawn. He checked it, because it is rare that it ever happens, we have overdraft protection, so even if I had spent over my "limit" it wouldn't show a negative amount...but there it was....a negative amount.

After doing some checking around and calling the credit union I found out that I am officially one of the 8.4 million (in 2007) of Americans who has been the victim of identity theft. Yes, it really does happen.

My little $118.00 balance in my checking account somehow turned into $941.00 in charges, mostly overseas (Japan), but three at "Denny's" (which may have also been an overseas location - unsure about that right now).

My credit union is being AWESOME and they are helping me every step of the way. I called the local Police Department and now have a case number. I didn't know who to call or how. It was weird. But, it happens so much now, that there wasn't much question on what to do, everyone had steps planned out and questions to ask me about it and no one seemed particularly surprised. So it was fairly easy reporting it.

Now, to wait to see how soon I'll be reimbursed. The good news is, they WILL reimburse me, including the "courtesy fees" (overdraft protection) for each of those charges ($25 each time!!!).

The credit union representative told me that there has been a big string of "robberies" of the card numbers at restaurants. They take the number from the front and the super secret (*yeah right*) three digit safety number from the back of the card and use the card freely. This could have happened months ago and it's just now showing. I'm not sure we'll ever really find out.

Watch your accounts on line and keep track of your spending!! It's practical advice, but when talking to friends about it, I heard people comment that they hardly ever check their account balances or look at their credit card itemization!! I check the credit union account at least once a week, but I guess now it'll be daily!

Smiles (at least no one can steal those from me),

lulu