Statistics . . . Yuck!

I just started week three of statistics (technically week five since we had a two week break, but those two weeks don't count). Before starting it, I was dreading it. Then I got the book and saw that it was teaching you how do everything in Excel, so I had hope. Well now, I'm just frustrated and unmotivated. Most of you know how analytical I am, so it would seem that this would be right up my alley, but it's not.

Kevin is doing okay. He still has the infection from surgery and they are trying to keep it from spreading. On a lighter note, he went for blood work and it came back that he was pregnant. We might just make some money off this! At least it gave him a laugh. Me too!

My dad called today and the police found his car. All the windows were broke out and it sounds like they went on a joyride or something. The car looked to have been in an accident where one side of the car is damage pretty bad. They took his satellite radio (no surprise), but they also took Elijah's booster seat. I guess you can't have too many of those. Considering we usually do a charity walk to help underprivileged families purchase booster seats, I guess I could consider that a charitable donation. I just hope some kid that needs it is using it.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Unbelievable!

My dad called me today to tell me that he was leaving to pick up Elijah and someone stole his car! WHAT! Out of his own driveway! Unbelievable! My uncle said he drove by around 9 a.m. and the car was there. He came back by about 12:30 p.m. and it was gone. He thought my dad was running errands, so didn't think much of it. WOW! I'll let you know when I hear more.

Why?

Why is it that my professor has not posted any grades since week one? (we're in week five right now)?

Why is it that I can't seem to please one of the hotels I represent, no matter what I do?

Why is it that we are in the middle of November and I'm still trying to figure out what happened to June?

Why would someone from the bank call and leave me a message about my consolidation loan (that I have not taken out), cause me to freak out and not sleep last night because I'm thinking that I just moved into phase 2 of my identity theft, only to find out that she was soliciting me for a home equity loan to as a way to consolidate my bills? It took everything in me to remain professional on the phone. That was a very MISLEADING voice mail!

Not much else going on. Could still use some prayers for my family and loved ones.

A month later

It's been a month since my wallet was stolen. Last week I mailed off my last affidavit to indicate that I did not make the fraud charges, I did not benefit from the fraud charges, and I support prosecuting whoever did. So, unofficially, it looks like all the credit card charges have been reversed. What a PITA! Now comes the waiting game: waiting for the police to catch the criminal, and waiting to see if anything else happens as far as stealing my identity. The police said it is not likely they will catch the person. Sometimes they catch the person in the act and then backtrack and solve other cases they couldn't solve. I hope the criminal is dumb enough to use my brother's business card to try and get out of a moving violation. Usually the officer will call the other officer on the card to verify. Wouldn't that be nice if they caught him that way . . .

What's new

Let's see, I keep realizing things that were in my stolen wallet - membership to The Henry Ford, stamps, you know -- things that you don't think of until you go to use them!

I spoke with a detective in one of the cities -- in fact the one where the most fraudulent charges occurred. One of the stores has video surveillance. They are working on burning it on a disc to show me. I also discovered yesterday that there were more charges on one of my credit cards, than I was originally told. I hope they catch whoever did this.

On a fun note, it looks like we are getting another dog. Her name is Sasha and she comes from a Rottweiller Rescue group in the area. Elijah is very excited. She's a little over a year old and very sweet.

Elijah went to the dentist today and did very well. I was so proud. He also is doing well in karate and earned another stripe!

Have a great weekend!

Not much to update

I really don't have much of an update on the identity theft/stolen wallet scam. I did go to the bank to straighten things out and the CVS that the one police detective went to, credited back the fraudulent charge on my account. That's one good thing. However, there was another charge! How can that be you ask? Well, if you don't know this already, take note. When you use your ATM/Debit/Check Card, it reserves $1 on your account. As the bank explains to me, it's done to see if the account is "good." It then takes 24-48 hours for the actual charge to debit your checking account. Of the phone calls I made Thursday and Friday, no one bothered to mention that there was a $1 hold on my account for another possible transaction. Fortunately, it was only $16.91 (still doesn't make it right, but at least it didn't drain my account). I also found out that they tried to make a $300+ purchase at Autozone, but I had already froze that account so the transaction was DENIED!

I also found out yesterday, that one charge that I was told was pending on my account at GFS in Southfield (3 transactions there by the way, so take note that they don't bother to check ID and see that a man is using a women's credit card). Since I reported the card stolen, AMEX was able to deny that hold on my account. Poor GFS. I feel so bad that you got ripped off . . . not! Check ID people!

Another funny. I got a letter in the mail Monday (5 days after the fact) from one of my banks telling me that they tried to reach me by phone and there were some suspicious charges to my account. You think? I've only talked to you on the phone 5 times in 5 days and in person once and I'm the one that told you!

So, I'm just waiting for some form to dispute some charges for one bank, and then I think I've cleared up the whole shopping spree. The future is unknown. Although the police feel that this yahoo was just looking for a joy ride and isn't confrontational, who knows who gets my wallet next. I'll probably be paranoid for awhile.

On a positive note, I have to say of all the companies I've worked with over this mess, US Bank is the best. From the minute I realized that there were fraud charges, they were on it and never even let the charges hit my account. They were A+ by all accounts and I would recommend doing business with them.

The latest update

I was pleasantly surprised to hear from a detective from one of the police departments yesterday. He went to the CVS where one of the crimes occurred. He was able to give me a description -- the main thing being it was a MAN. Now tell me that a man using a woman's credit card isn't suspicious. Unbelievable! There are supposed to be procedures in place where a manager would come and over-ride the transaction (because of how much it is) and check ID. As luck would have it, the manager was busy, so nothing was checked.

I hope I get more scoop from the other cities and I hope the criminal is caught! I also hope that my credit card company gets their money back and makes CVS take the loss due to their own stupidity! I'm trying not to be bitter, but I am angry!

Where do I begin

Yesterday when I went to leave work I noticed something odd. My wallet was gone! At first I'm thinking, could I have left it in the cafeteria . . . no, I remember putting it back in my purse. I couldn't believe someone would just take it!

So, I call one of my credit card companies. While she's putting a hold on my account, she happens to verify my last transactions. Imagine my surprise when she says $500 at a Rite Aid . . . WHAT! There were three transactions at Rite Aid in Waterford -- each $400-500!

I had a credit card, 2 bank cards and a corporate card. They all got hit! When I added up the charges, it's over $4,300! They enjoyed shopping at Rite Aid, CVS, Gordon Food Service, and Farmer Jack. Nice!

My day was spent talking to the Franklin Police -- very nice by the way. Going to the Secretary of State, the bank, lots of phone calls. I also had to go to the Waterford Police, Bloomfield Hills Police and Southfield Police Departments. You have to file a report in each city/town where the crimes are committed. This ensures that if they are able to catch the @&#$% they can be prosecuted and not get off on a technicality such as jurisdiction. PITA! I hope they catch whoever did this and they ROTT!

I'm tired!