I keep a pretty close eye on my accounts via online banking. It helps be keep track of my cash flow and spending patterns. This morning after I signed onto my business checking account I noticed something a little odd; a $1,659.33 charge to Office Depot #965 in Encinitas CA.
Needless to say I didn’t spend $1,659.33 at Office Depot, nor did I do it in Encinitas. Further inspection of the account shows a whole slew of charges from Los Angeles to San Diego and back. Total so far $1,869.95 – and because Wells Fargo posts a day behind and yesterday was a holiday it will probably turn out to be much more.
So what did I do wrong? Nothing. If you have a credit card and use it, sooner or later this will happen to you. Any time you hand your card to a person at a restaurant, but it in an ATM machine, or use it online, there is a possibility that this can happen. Stay on top of your statements, use online banking if you have it available, and keep your receipts.
Oh and if you are one of the lucky people that have your card stolen, immediately call and cancel the card, declare the items as fraud, and fill out a police report. Don’t forget to update any automatic payments that you have that are using the card number. And of course, pay extra special attention to your credit reports.
