Fun with Funds III -or- How the Mail Gets Stolen

[dolphins_log]

This morning I pulled into the gas station before driving to work. My credit card wouldn't process through the self serve.



The attendant told me to go ahead and pump and that he'd take care of it afterwards. He'd been having problems with that particular pump.

I pumped gas and went to the attendant. He started to run my card. About a minute later he tried again. About a minute later he tried for a third time. About this time there is a line forming behind me filled with impatient commuters.

The attendant made a phone call and talked for about a minute. Then he says "I'm sorry sir, your card has been declined." Fortunately I had the cash in my wallet or else I'd be giving Juli a call and getting her out of bed to come pay my bill.

I gave the credit card company a call. [A little back history: Alaska Airlines is changing all of their Master Card mileage cards into Visas. ] They let me know that my card was canceled and that I should have received my new Visa by now. No, I hadn't. I'd also been told that my MC would be good until I actually activated my Visa.

Which means my new Visa has been lifted from my mail box. The credit card company is canceling my new Visa and sending me overnight express [to my work address] a "New" new visa.

Fortunately there is no way that anyone could have used the card without my authorization. One, it's got my picture on it. Two, it needs to be activated from my home phone. Three, I've placed a password on it so that it can't be activated through an automated system.

Still, I'm getting tired of my mail being stolen.

Comments

ick!

[typographer.livejournal.com]

That's no fun!

Major Bummer!

[jwyldragon.livejournal.com]

That is not good. We had that problem in our neighborhood a few years ago. The neighbors got together for a "Neighborhood Watch" with the local police rep... and with their help ended up with a group locked box from the post offices (no cost to the neighborhood). We had other concerns as there was a drug house with lots of coming and going on the corner... but I don't think you need that kind of trouble in order to get this kind of help. I would doubt you are the only target. Talk to your neighbors or that council thingie... just an idea.

Re: Major Bummer!

[dolphinchatter.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the home owner's association is already talking about lock boxes, but the association is rather dysfunctional right now. I was thinking I might volunteer my time concerning the mail boxes.

So far I am the only one who's had someone attempt to take funds. They've failed [knock on wood.]

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
"The impression that I get"
-refrain-
"Never Had to Knock on Wood"