So, over the weekend I was the helpless victim of credit (debit) fraud:

Got paid Friday morning so I checked my account balance then. Didn't use my card all weekend, just cash, and then needed to use my card Sunday to purchase a $6.00 box of screw anchors. Used my debit card (my one and only credit card linked to my one and only checking account) Debit card was denied, mild panic ensues. I checked my bank account and there was $7.00 in it. HOLY SHIT!! Hysteria ensues. I call Commerce Bank's help line and the helpful Karen proceeds to verify charges that were made over the weekend: $571 to Game Stop, $73 to (some bar downtown), $109 to T mobile, $96 to (some beauty supply store downtown) $45 at Popeyes chicken.... (plus lots more!) um, let's see no, no, no, no, NO!! So the lady cancels my card that night, there's basically nothing else I can do because it's 8:00 on a Sunday night. the next day I go to my bank and file forms and begin all the hassle that ties in with credit fraud.

So yesterday morning, a co-worker emails me: Jane, I just saw a news report on nbc10 that the Plymouth Meeting California Pizza Kitchen was the source of identity theft! That tons (detective McGee said over 200) of customers' card numbers were stolen and used on counterfeit cards! They said you should call the police to report when you were there! And I remember that no less than three weeks ago I dinned at California Pizza Kitchen. And I used my debit card. So, I call the proper authorities, they determine that the same girl who waited on me is, in fact, the girl who was skimming cards and now I have to file police reports after work.

AND, the best part is.... I STILL HAVE NO MONEY!! Commerce told me that there were all kinds of previsions and steps that needed to take place before money gets put back into my bank account. And it could take "up to a few days". And part of me, as silly as this may be, is mad at the people who used my card, not because they used it but rather HOW they used it. Seriously, $45.00 at Popeye's chicken!? I mean, I'm not suggesting they dine at Le Bec-Fin, but maybe upscale it just a notch. Like, applebee's or outback steakhouse. But not freakin fast food!! How do you even spend that much money at a fast food joint anyways? Did they treat their entire family to a three course meal?? And $571 at GAME STOP!?? Why not a new iPhone? or some diamond earrings? Seriously.

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