philagothon
Sharpshooter
I lost my wallet Friday afternoon and did not realize it was missing until Saturday morning. I can be absent minded and frequently misplace things, so it's not uncommon for my wallet to go missing for a day or two.
I got a call from the fraud department at my credit union Monday morning. Someone tried using my debit card to make three suspicious charges to my account. Fortunately only the first charge of $6XX.XX was approved and the other two were declined because of suspicious activity. The officer at the local PD told me he would investigate, but that usually nothing come of these things. The thieves usually run the debit card until it stops working then trash it. I told him I was concerned because my SS card, bank info, and LTCH were all in my wallet (yeah, I carried way too much info in my wallet). I was also angry because I carry photos in my wallet that I can't replace and I knew the dirtbags would just toss those in the trash.
After leaving the PD, and knowing the officer didn't care as much as I do, I decided to call my credit union to see if I could find out more info. I talked to a bunch of useless people that kept redirecting me to different departments. I got tired of talking to people that couldn't help so I gave up for a while. Finally, I decided to give it one more try. The gal that answered the phone went above and beyond to help! It turns out that my debit card was physically swiped three times in ZAMBIA Monday morning!
I called the officer and he told me that my identity had likely been stolen a while back and I'd just noticed it because of greater vigilance over the lost wallet. I assured him that I keep a keen eye on my accounts and no suspicious charges had appeared before losing my wallet. I reiterated my concern over the dirtbags having my info and knowing that I have valuable easy to pawn items (guns). He told me keep an eye out and let him know if I find anything else.
I was going over the events of the day with my wife on the phone when I saw a vehicle I didn't recognize sitting across the street. I grabbed my binoculars but could not see the license plates and there was too much light reflection off the window to get a good ID. I called the officer and he told me he would be over to check it out. I made the mistake of opening the screen door to get a better look. As soon as the guy realized I was watching him, he took off (about three minutes before the police got here).
I've learned several valuable lessons so far:
1. I will never carry anything gun related in my wallet again, including my LTCH. If all that I had to worry about was some missing money and possible fraud I'd be much less concerned. As it is, my wife no longer feels safe in our home; and if I'm honest I don't feel great here either. I am at Code Orange constantly, but with no specifically identified threat . If an officer needs to check the status of my LTCH, they can call it in; I'm not carrying that thing again.
2. I carried WAY too much information in my wallet. My social security card belongs in the safe. Priceless photos do not belong in leather that's subjected to constant butt sweat. Cards from your credit union/bank that have account numbers on them should be in the safe with your SS card or in the fireplace.
3. Be extra careful when you're tired. I hadn't gotten much sleep the night before and had been hunting all morning. If I had focused harder and paid more attention when I knew I was fatigued I wouldn't be going through this.
4. Getting gas at a Murphy's gas station on a Friday the 13th during a year ending in 13 is just tempting fate too much! So help me, if I live to 2113, I'll never do that again!
5. I hate dirtbags.
6. My tactics suck! If I'd slipped out the back door or basement door I probably could have gotten the plate number of the suspicious vehicle. If I'd just stayed hidden in the house the police officer might have had a chance to talk to the guy. I did the dumbest thing possible and let the guy know he was being watched and gave him the opportunity to get away.
7. I HATE DIRTBAGS!
The only time I'll ever carry my LTCH is if I'm going to a state that requires you to carry your permission slip. Indiana no longer requires it; and I ain't doing it!
I got a call from the fraud department at my credit union Monday morning. Someone tried using my debit card to make three suspicious charges to my account. Fortunately only the first charge of $6XX.XX was approved and the other two were declined because of suspicious activity. The officer at the local PD told me he would investigate, but that usually nothing come of these things. The thieves usually run the debit card until it stops working then trash it. I told him I was concerned because my SS card, bank info, and LTCH were all in my wallet (yeah, I carried way too much info in my wallet). I was also angry because I carry photos in my wallet that I can't replace and I knew the dirtbags would just toss those in the trash.
After leaving the PD, and knowing the officer didn't care as much as I do, I decided to call my credit union to see if I could find out more info. I talked to a bunch of useless people that kept redirecting me to different departments. I got tired of talking to people that couldn't help so I gave up for a while. Finally, I decided to give it one more try. The gal that answered the phone went above and beyond to help! It turns out that my debit card was physically swiped three times in ZAMBIA Monday morning!
I called the officer and he told me that my identity had likely been stolen a while back and I'd just noticed it because of greater vigilance over the lost wallet. I assured him that I keep a keen eye on my accounts and no suspicious charges had appeared before losing my wallet. I reiterated my concern over the dirtbags having my info and knowing that I have valuable easy to pawn items (guns). He told me keep an eye out and let him know if I find anything else.
I was going over the events of the day with my wife on the phone when I saw a vehicle I didn't recognize sitting across the street. I grabbed my binoculars but could not see the license plates and there was too much light reflection off the window to get a good ID. I called the officer and he told me he would be over to check it out. I made the mistake of opening the screen door to get a better look. As soon as the guy realized I was watching him, he took off (about three minutes before the police got here).
I've learned several valuable lessons so far:
1. I will never carry anything gun related in my wallet again, including my LTCH. If all that I had to worry about was some missing money and possible fraud I'd be much less concerned. As it is, my wife no longer feels safe in our home; and if I'm honest I don't feel great here either. I am at Code Orange constantly, but with no specifically identified threat . If an officer needs to check the status of my LTCH, they can call it in; I'm not carrying that thing again.
2. I carried WAY too much information in my wallet. My social security card belongs in the safe. Priceless photos do not belong in leather that's subjected to constant butt sweat. Cards from your credit union/bank that have account numbers on them should be in the safe with your SS card or in the fireplace.
3. Be extra careful when you're tired. I hadn't gotten much sleep the night before and had been hunting all morning. If I had focused harder and paid more attention when I knew I was fatigued I wouldn't be going through this.
4. Getting gas at a Murphy's gas station on a Friday the 13th during a year ending in 13 is just tempting fate too much! So help me, if I live to 2113, I'll never do that again!
5. I hate dirtbags.
6. My tactics suck! If I'd slipped out the back door or basement door I probably could have gotten the plate number of the suspicious vehicle. If I'd just stayed hidden in the house the police officer might have had a chance to talk to the guy. I did the dumbest thing possible and let the guy know he was being watched and gave him the opportunity to get away.
7. I HATE DIRTBAGS!
The only time I'll ever carry my LTCH is if I'm going to a state that requires you to carry your permission slip. Indiana no longer requires it; and I ain't doing it!
thoughts ahead:
