I was the victim of a crime late yesterday.
I went to check my checking account last night because I knew my mortgage payment had been taken out when I saw a charge that I suspected was not mine. You guessed it. Someone had somehow gotten a hold of my wife’s debit card number and used it to purchase something on Amazon. The purchase was made at 4:50, just before the banks closed and most people would not be looking at their bank account. As it was, it was about the time I was heading to bed when I discovered it. Too late to alert the bank. Amazon had already approved it. So this morning I will make my way to the bank to close down that card, and stop the thief from continuing his crimes. (And hopefully get a refund, but I’m not holding my breath).
Jo, whom I admire for her innocence, asked THE question that has been asked before thousands of times: “How come people do this?” I have asked that same question only differently: “Why can’t people leave my stuff alone? I don’t bother theirs; why do they have to bother mine?” When you get right down to it, that is a pretty naive question and the answer is simple. It’s called SIN. Ever since the Garden, we have been living life our own way and against the plan of God. Long gone is the biblical mandate of treating others as we would like to be treated. I seriously doubt the individual who is using Jo’s card fraudulently gives a rip about whether he/she is doing right or wrong against someone else. After all, “it is all about me,” right?
I can take the necessary steps to assure the card is no longer usable. What I cannot do is change the heart of the individual who decided to commit a crime against the law of the land and against another human being. I can hope he/she will get caught (but I seriously doubt it). I can hope that person’s heart will be changed (only God can do that). But, most importantly, I can check my own heart and my attitude toward how I treat others. I may not use someone’s debit card (and I don’t/won’t), but I can make sure I am not taking advantage of someone or making them feel less than important.
It happened to us in London. We were at Kew Gardens when we received a fraud alert on our primary credit card; we think the number was stolen when we were in the Kew Gardens cafeteria. We were able to shut down the card almost immediately, and the charges were taken off, but it was a monumental hassle to get a replacement card from across the Atlantic.
I’m frustrated with this Glynn. I cannot imagine the hassle you all went through. UGH!
I’m so very sorry to hear this, Bill. What a hassle to get it all straightened out! Yes, sin is at the root of every bad thing that others do and that we, ourselves, commit when we neglect to follow God’s commands for us. Let us know how this particular situation gets resolved. Blessings!
This is not the first time for me! About a year or so ago I went to make a $14 purchase at Fresh Thyme and it was rejected. I knew I had enough in my account until I looked and saw someone tried to use my account to pay over $2000 on a loan of theirs. Needless to say I shut that down immediately. The inconvenience is maddening as well as the wrong of it.
So sorry Bill, ugh ugh ugh. Sin is never ok, and it always take more people down in its path, than just the one person who commits it. Hopefully the person does have a heart check and repents, turns their ways around.
Thanks Gail. I was able to go to the bank and dispute the charge. They are planning on reimbursing me. As Jo and i were there one of the ladies was on the phone and there were two of the same charges on his card for Amazon. I do hope he/she gets caught and repents.
Dick and I have just been put in charge of the retirees group at our church. One of the things we want to offer to our retirees is a seminar on fraud and scams. It is a hard reality that the elderly are often victims of these crimes. So different from the respect Jesus expects us to give others.
Yeah they are. I applaud you and Dick teaching them on this. We are not even sure how he/she got Jo’s number. She seldom uses it and it is linked to my account. And yes, it is different from what Jesus wants.