Fraud brings unwanted inspiration

PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

By MARY FYE

You are familiar with the saying, “Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.” The truth of this statement hit me in the face just a few minutes ago.

I sometimes have difficulty coming up with ideas for this column and tonight was no exception. Call it writer’s block, mental blank or whatever you want – I was stuck. I opened and closed my laptop a couple of times hoping for the muse of a local columnist to take pity on me and zap me with inspiration. Miraculously, inspiration came, not with lightning but with ringing. Yes, my wish had been granted with a single phone call.

“Huh, who is ‘CHASE B?” I asked, looking at the caller ID.

“Chase Bank – better answer it,” Steve replied. Of course, it’s not like we censor our calls or anything.

A man’s voice greeted me, verified my name and address. He explained that he was with Chase Bank and that he was investigating possible fraudulent activity.

“Is your Chase MasterCard in your possession at this time?” he asked in a cold, serious voice.

A quick check in my purse revealed that, yes, I still had my card. “I’ve got it right here? Why? What happened?”

He just repeated, “I’m checking for possible credit card fraud,” and began asking more personal questions. “Did you make a purchase from Amazon.com in the amount of $12 on Nov. 1?”

“Uh, yeah. I bought a knitting book. I’m making a pair of socks and I lost my first book.” I ramble when I get nervous, so the poor man had to put up with my side comments on nearly every item.

He didn’t comment, so I figured sock knitting posed no threat. “And on Nov. 1 did you make a purchase from Apple iTunes?”

“Erin wanted Taylor Swift’s new song.” There was no sound. “Uh, yes, that purchase is valid.” Pull it together, Mary! Your identity has been compromised.

Steve, listening intently, interjected, “Hang up. Don’t give them any personal information.”

“OK. And a $703.36 charge from Harini Jewels?”

“WHAT! Good gosh no!”

“Yes, that is the questionable charge. It was made from India. Have you been to India recently?”

Steve again, “Hang up.”

“No, of course not. I’ve never been to India, although I’ve always wanted to go …”

“Yes, ma’am. Now what we are going to have to do is cancel this card.”

At this point Steve got my attention. “Tell him you’ll call back. This phone call might be a fraud.”

Puzzled, it took a second for what he was telling me to register. Ah, this could be a vile attempt to snag my card numbers. But he seemed so nice and I tend to be the trusting sort.

“Um, I need to make sure this isn’t a fraudulent call,” I said, trying not to sound like I had just insulted him. The thought of some stranger using my credit card to make wild purchases made me ramble on faster than before. Steve gave me the classic “you really are crazy” look followed by the more recent “hang up the phone he could be a con artist” look.

I figured the man would try to stop me, but instead he said, “Yes, ma’am. That is fine. You just need to ask for the fraud department.”

After hanging up, Steve informed me about the insidious nature of credit card scams. Then I called the number on the back of my card. What a joy to learn that over $1,400 of charges had been made without my consent. The first phone call from Chase was a real one and I am a victim of credit card fraud.

So I got my wish – an idea for my column. However, like most classic stories, wishes often come at a price. As I sit by the phone waiting for “CHASE B” to call me back with the final fraud report, I must conclude with the only three words left to me:

To be continued …