family and money

In reverse order.

When I took my GRE's llast Saturday I went to buy a cup of coffee before my test. I never drink coffee so I was a little worried I might tweak from the caffeine, but that's beside the point. When I went to pay for the 1.31 of processed beans my debit card was declined. I knew it was weird, because even if I had forgotten about a bill that I paid, I sure as hell would have had a dollar and thirty one cents in the bank. But I needed to focus on the test and would worry later. Later came and later was a $500.00 debit withdrawal to a company called www.epassporte.com. A company I've never had any contact with. I called my bank and they gave me the info for the company and told me to call them to find out what was going on and if they would reverse the charge.

So I called them and the first thing they asked for was my credit card number. I explained to the woman on the phone that their was no way I was going to give them my card number seeing as I was in the process of disputing a fraudulent charge on that card from her company. She hung up on me. So I called back and spoke to some guy this time, he was much more polite. When I asked to speak with the supervisor he told me that she was on the phone and, "Probably would be for a while." I explained the situation to him, and he asked me for my card number. I told him that I was willing to belive that they are in fact a legitimate business, but that their was no way I was going to give him my card number. He said it was the only way he could search for the activity or put a hold on the account. I mentioned that in order to use the card they would have had to have my name and address as billing on credit cards never goes through if addresses don't match. He let me know that they don't use names or addresses. I told him I was going to have to contact the FBI to resolve the matter. He stuttered and little bit, but didn't budge. I got off the phone with him and I did some research.

I found other people who have had fraudulent charges made to their cards from the same company for the same amount. I also found a lot of personal information on the owners of the website and affiliated companies out of DC. I took all this info and my info and filed a complaint with the FBI, and with the local police. The local police told me that the number was most likely acquired from USAA themselves (my bank) after investigating for a couple of days. USAA was able to give me a temporary credit for the money pending an investigation. So check your card statements.

that tie that binds. My sister is in town. It's been a characteristically tumultous visit. It seems as though she is unwilling to meet me halfway and I am once again feeling like the entire responsibility of our relationship rests on my shoulders. When I'm stressed have a lot going on and in general not up to my normal energy levels sometimes I just don't want to carry all the weight. This is one of those times. And shit if I don't carry it she definitely won't.