please ignore

[luvthatdisney]

I really appreciate all of your help!!!

I spoke with my bank again today and they have returned my money to my account - except for the $28 NSF fee I incurred due to the funds "taken" cleaning out my account. They are sending me an affidavit of forgery I have to fill out and return. DH and I will be going to the police department shortly to make a report and then we are going to one of the stores where my number was used and advise them they took a fraudulent payment - my bank said it was ok to do this and even encouraged it.

One of the charges (debits) was to Avon - appears it was a phone or internet order. My bank was not sure what I could find out from them but I have a number to call (it shows up on my checking account). So we will see!!

I am going to file a complaint with the FTC as soon as I have a police report as it asks for this information.

Thanks so much!! Especially Peacefulgirl you have been great to provide me with all of this info. I just wish this would not have happened 25 day out from our WDW trip - but at least it wasnt while we were there!!!

Please everyone watch your debit cards and where you use them - I am pretty sure my info was taken at a restaurant - now I just need to find out which one! I will never use my debit card at a restaurant again - only cc or cash!!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

That's great! I'm sorry it happened to you, but I'm glad things seem to be getting in order.
If tht number for Avon doesn't help, let me know. I'm a rep and I have plenty of numbers for different departments. PM me after you call if you need to. Interestingly, I got a flyer when I first became a rep about how to tell fraudulent orders- it appears a lot of crooks order Avon!

 

[luvthatdisney]

Thanks Lulu - I will do that.

 

[peacefulgirl]

please ignore

 

[luvthatdisney]

Dh and I had a long talk last night about our finances. I guess the crisis we have being going through this week brought everthing to light! He has agreed to try the "baby steps" - even though he wont read the book - not a big reader unless it is a car magazine!

We did a little detective work on our own about my stolen debit card #. We went to the Rent to Own store that my # was used at and the guys found the transaction (it was used this past Monday). They happened to mention the girls name in front of us - I dont think they knew we heard them, but we did! She actually called in a payment on her account with my card #. They said she even gave the exp date backwards and the charge still went through. Once they said her name I was pretty sure where my card # was taken from.

This past Sunday night we ate at a local restaurant - that we frequent often and DH had made a comment that our waitress had the same first name as my BF - and that "BF" was waiting on us. He thought it was funny! Sure enough that was the name of the person that used my card.

After figuring out which police department to go to (has to be the one where the card was used) we filed a police report and gave them this information. The woman that took the report said she is seeing this more and more with debit cards. She has stopped using them all together herself! A Fraud investigator is going to be calling me - hopefully soon - to let me know what they are going to do. They said they cant do too much with the Avon charge ($230 worth of it!!). Since they dont know where she purchased it from. The phone number that shows up on my checking account for this transaction just rings and rings. I have sent Avon an email asking for someone to contact me about this. I would think they could run my card # to see who used it. I could have the fraud investigator contact Avon - when I have a person for them to contact!!

I have learned a big lesson from this!!! And DH and I have decided that we will only use our debit cards at our banks ATM's - we are going to try to use cash only or cc's especially when we eat out. We are going to stop doing this as much as well!! Remember the baby steps!! I hope that someone else can benefit from our plight and have learned something about debit cards and when and where they should be used.

Thanks again everyone for your help and support!

 

[peacefulgirl]

please ignore

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

luvthatdisney - what a frightening experience. I'd be curious to know how often this person has compromised other debit cards and how much money in products and services she has stolen.

I'm so glad that you were able to find answers so quickly and that your money was returned. Good luck with the police investigation. I hope you find justice.

I for one will be more cautious when using my debit card, especially at establishments where the clerk must take my card away from me...such as a restaurant where the waitstaff takes your card to the "back" to ring out your bill.

I don't think the threat of stealing a card number is as great when you zip your card through a reader like at a grocery store, or restaurants that zip the card while you are present. Most stores now **** your account number except for the last few digits so your account information is more secure even if you lose your receipt.

 

[luvthatdisney]

iNTeNSeBLue98 - I do not know much about her yet; however, I do know that when she phoned in her payment to the rent to own place she tried 3 numbers - mine being the 3rd. I'm not sure why they let her do this, but they did and the clerk even kept the paper he wrote the other numbers on - so he gave that to the police so they can alert those folks!

From me she stole $300 or so - the others I am not sure of. I do they have another active investigation she is a suspect in and she has involved with stealing checks in the past - this is all according to the detective I am working with.

I have never had anything like this happen to me in the 20 years I have been married. My Dad did have someone break in and steal some checks - wrote them to themselves and check put their thumb print on the back of the check (required by bank to cash it). Some people are so stupid - like my girl that used my card to pay on her own rent to own account.

I may continue to use my card at places like Wal-mart where I scan the card myself, but I will not hand my debit card to anyone else again!! I have learned my lesson. The detective said this is happening more and more as things become more automated - so do the crooks!

 

[minnie1928]

Dh and I had a long talk last night about our finances. I guess the crisis we have being going through this week brought everthing to light! He has agreed to try the "baby steps" - even though he wont read the book - not a big reader unless it is a car magazine!

I got the Financial Peace University system that Dave offers through my employer. Luckily my employer only charged me $25 for the whole kit. Anyway, the idea was to use the kit in a class format. However, my husbands CRAZY work hours made that impossible. The thing that got him moving was that the system came with the lessons on CD. Since he drives about 45 minutes each way to work, it gave him something to listen to. I was amazed that each night he would come home saying "Dave says that we should _______" . I never in a million years thought he would buy into it!

I've been looking on ebay and there are some CDs/tapes available, if you think that might work for your husband.

Good luck!

 

[bdcp]

That's why we use a Visa Check Card. It's used like a credit card, only the amount comes right out of our checking account. Like any other Visa, we're only liable for the first $50 in unauthorized transactions. There's no pin # when used to purchase and we sign just like a credit card. I can't get cash back on it in stores, but I can use it like a debit card at the ATM. The Rent to Own place never should have taken those cards over the phone especially after two tries. They should have a cc# on record that is to be used for payments or require people to come in and pay. Some retailers have actually made it too easy for those who steal card #'s. The best thing to do with your cards is not to sign them, but put something like "ask for drivers' license" on the card instead so if it's lost or stolen, no one can use it because it's not signed and they dont' have id saying they're that person. A lot of restaurants have apparently had problems with people stealing numbers or running them twice and pocketing the difference, hoping no one notices. Not everyone checks their statements closely.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Funny turn of events--hubby is out west for a year and he gets the bright idea to split our finances (as it turns out) in half. He basically will pay for the roof over our heads and the stuff in it...and I handle the day to day kind of running the household kind of stuff. And he has told me he will NOT bail me out--even if that means we're eating a 39 cent box of mac and cheese.

So though we've blown threw our wad--month is half over and money is more than half gone--I do know where it all went. A friend of mine a while back gave me a bill-pay pocket notebook...with a pocket for each month and I toss the receipts into it.

The psychology of it is amazing--b/c not only do I belive him...I am paying more attention to purchases. whereas before I didn't b/c he always figured it out.

Hopefully all will be well!

 

[Suz D]

You're like a dieter who wants to lose weight . . . but she can't start now because she's having company this weekend and she wants to cook lasagna . . . she might as well not start at the beginning of next week because she's going out with her friends to lunch on Tuesday, and she knows she'll blow it then . . . in fact, there's no use starting this month at all since the family's going on vacation the last week of the month. This type of person will never lose weight because she'll never say, "TODAY is the day that I begin."
.

I just started reading this thread tonight and got to this post. I had to stop and laugh. Is it possible that you know me? I swear you must be a fly on my wall. This describes me to a "T". Thanks for making me laugh! Now if I could just get past that free dining trip in August I'd go on my diet. Suz

 

[got2lovedisney]

SuzD...if that comment is about you...then you must be my long lost twin!!

On a positive note...I actually, after daily readings on this and the other debt threads, went to the library last night and checked out Financial Peace and one of the Suze Orman books. Keep the information flowing...it's really opened my eyes to the possibility of being debt free!

 

[luvthatdisney]

I also checked on some of Dave Ramsey's books at my local library. All were either checked out or "missing". I guess it was just too good to bring back

So I just could not stand it anymore - we just got back from Books A Million - where I bought The Total Money Makeover. I have been listening to the free pod-casts (we dont get Dave in our area - that I know of) and I have read so much about him that I figured I could take a little money out of my grocery money for this week and get the book. It will be worth it if I can get my debts paid off.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I just paid off our 8 contracts with DVC! Yay. Eliminating all debt - wow, it feels great................

 

[minnie1928]

I just paid off our 8 contracts with DVC! Yay. Eliminating all debt - wow, it feels great................

We just purchased two contracts, in fact they haven' t even settled yet! So, if I follow Dave's plan (which we conveniently "forgot about" while on the DVC tour ) we'll have it paid off in 2007. Right after we pay off my car in 2005, and DH's car in 2006. Funny thing was that we went on the tour as something to do on a rainy day, saying on the van ride over that "Dave says we can't do this". Funny how on the way out it turned in to "you know, this really isn't a bad deal....".

Either way, congratulations!

 

[chrismiss56]

Hi

I have been lurking on this thread from the beginning and want to say thanks for all the information!!

I too wanted to get rid of the debt we have (car loan, mortgage and credit card ). DH can retire in about 8 years and want to head into retirement in better shape than what we are in now!!

One of my more immediate goals is to save money for a small DVC contract

I have started reading Financial Peace and am excited about using some of his methods!! Is this book different from his Total Money Makeover?

We are leaving for Spain in about a week (visiting DD who is studying there for the summer) then a quick trip to WDW (spur of the moment - couldn't resist $93 airfare) BUT then we WILL buckle down and get rid of this debt.

Keep the information coming.

Have a Magical Disney Day!!

 

[chrismiss56]

Morning All

Just read DR's Financial Peace and have started reading Total Money Makeover. Have to say that I like TMM much better. Easy reading and HIGHLY motivating.

TMM really makes me sit upon and pay attention to what we are doing with our money.

I have to ask has anyone taken the drastic measures he suggests - such as selling cars and homes? Don't know that I will go that far but like the rest of it.

What do you think?

Have a Magical Disney Day!!

 

[trampslady]

No car to sell as we have one paid off and the other is a lease. To be truthful, I believe that we will have a car payment forever, as hubby and I enjoy driving a nice car, and in 18 years of marriage, we've traded about every two years. I know what Dave says about leases, and perhaps we will change our ways once we pay off the other debt. Our house is fortunately paid for, so it's just credit cards and DVC that I'm working on!

I love the snowballing as I'm already paying off smaller bills, and that gets me pumped for the next one. I cancelled my 2-year subscription to satellite radio last night--got back $185.00! That's the kind of thing I'm looking to do--eliminate unnecessary expense. We will keep our cell phones and our Direct TV. But, anything else is fare game!

 

[luvthatdisney]

Trampslady~

I would look into getting rid of your "FLEECE" as Dave calls it - I too used to lease cars - my Father (who is a car salesman) thought they were a good idea back when they first started being done on a consumer level - not just corporate. So I think I have leased 2 cars in my lifetime and will never do it again - he has since changed his tune also!! Now he would sell one in a heartbeat as it is his bread and butter, but would not let a family member do one again!

I know it is hard to think about getting a loan to cover the upside down part (diff between selling price and lease balance) and $ to get a "hooptie (sp?)" - but if I had a lease that is what I would do!! Cars depreciate so fast that a lease is never cost effective. I have been listening to Dave's free podcast (1 hr) each day - I think I am addicted. But at least it is something positive I am addicted to (now this is in addition to my Disney addiction )