I Was Wrong Wednesday: The Grilled Cheese Edition

 

Even though this was published on a Thursday, the events actually took place this past Wednesday.  Thus "I Was Wrong Wednesday."

A few days ago, scanning my bank account (the usual account check-up and verification) I came across a curiosity, a $412.76 debit of which I had no clue to its attachment.  The notification stated "EB BBQ Unlimited" which I immediately thought was suspect.  I scoured my brain for a few minutes and couldn't figure out anything I had purchased for $412.76 nor anything with "EB BBQ Unlimited" attached to it.  So, dutifully, I went on a little internet discovery mission to find what that label might be.

Quite a few BBQ companies came up in my search and I immediately suspected someone had gotten hold of my credit card number and committed some "Happy birthday to me!" present shopping at my expense.  So I jumped on my bank's website and went through all the necessary steps to have the charge disputed.  In so doing, it was suggested I cancel the card and get a new one.  Well this causes all kinds of problems, especially from the standpoint of various accounts having that card information attached to it.  That means I have to go to those various places and erase the old card and input the new one which is a pain in the ass ... but a necessity in light of the possibility fraud was involved.  So I went through the motions and did what I needed to do, grumbling along the way.

Fast forward to early this past Wednesday morning as I'm checking my e-mail.  A couple items caught my attention, one of which was from the Sacramento Grilled Cheese Festival and another from EventBrite, both noting the 4 tickets I purchased over a month ago were being cancelled because I had requested a refund of the $412.76 charge I used to pay for them. Oh, so THAT was what that debit was on my account!  And THAT'S what "EBB BBQ Unlimited" was.  There was no fraud!  I initiated the transaction all by my lonesome!  *yeesh*

I shot a return e-mail to the Sacramento Grilled Cheese Festival letting them know my bonehead move and asked what I needed to do for a re-acquisition, being they were VIP tickets.  

And then I figured I'd better visit their website in the event tickets were still available.  The festival is quite popular and sells out every year.  And - being well into the month and the fact it was being held at the end of April - I figured everything was sold out already and I may be SOL.  But, to my surprise, there were still tickets to be purchased ... and VIP tickets at that. So I jumped at the chance quickly, purchased them all over again and ended up saving face.

Thus, the "I Was Wrong Wednesday" moniker. What a motorhead I am ...

 

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP )

Chasing Funds That Just Aren't There

A suspicious call came over my phone yesterday afternoon. "Unknown" was the caller.

S/he left a message. I accessed it. The message stated it was Chase bank asking I call about a possible fraudulent activity on one of my bank accounts.

With the number having come up as "unknown" on my ID, I continued to be suspicious.

I called Chase at another number, one I knew would be on the up and up. Various coded verification run-arounds later, I explained the call received to "Cindy" who confirmed the call was legitimate and she would be happy to help me after further verifying I was who I claimed to be.

Moments later, and with verifications in place, she confirmed there had been some attempted fraudulent activity on one of my accounts: "Someone tried withdrawing $459.15 via your bank card. Of course that didn't happen and we were flagged. The attempt was made in Las Vegas. Have you been to Las Vegas recently, Mr. Noble?"

I hadn't. "Nope. Guess the joke was on them. That particular account has a mere $7.00 and change in it, a far cry from what they were trying to get ..."

"We will of course cancel that bank card, Mr. Noble, and issue you a new one. Can we send it to the address where you receive your statements?"

"No. I would prefer to run down and get one immediately. I can do that at any branch, correct? There's one a hop, skip and jump from me ..."

"Of course you can, Mr. Noble. I'll put a note on your account you'll be doing just that shorty. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"Not a thing. Other than to note in your log that I appreciate Chase's efforts and customer service. Thank you, Cindy. Have a good rest of the afternoon."

30 minutes later - with additional verification in place and a few jokes tossed back and forth with several of the banking staff at my local bank branch - I had a new bank card.

You know? You don't want to go through any kind of fraud, but that crap happens. I'm appreciative my bank is on top of things.
 
Bankin' good times ...

.......... Ruprecht (banks at a fraud STOPper)