Identity Theft

"We always think it will happen to someone else." Whatever it is, we think we're safe from it. Last Saturday my mom was in Publix and a couple of guys distracted her with friendly conversation while they slipped her wallet out of her purse. It had 2 credit cards, driver's license, insurance, medicare and social security cards.

After shopping at 4 of the touristy outlets with both cards (8 transactions), one of the cashiers got suspicious. She asked for ID and he said he had left it in the room at the resort. So she verified his signature and it matched exactly. But after he left she called the credit card company who then called my mom. She had no idea her wallet was missing. She uses cash and didn't notice it was gone.

So we spent a couple of hours calling here, there and everywhere to close her accounts, etc. Monday, Mom and Dad went to SunTrust to find out what they should do with their checking account. The lady told them there was no point in closing it since they had her social anyway. So she put an alert on the account.

Dad called the automated line this morning to see if his SS check had been deposited and discovered that $1,800 had been withdrawn two days ago. So they probably went to the bank drive-thru and sent in her DL and took their money!

Can I tell you how sickening and infuriating it is?! More so than if it happened to us. These are my parents who work their butts off. And a couple of jerks come in and take their money, security and peace of mind.

Be careful with what is in your wallet/purse and how you guard it!

I know God is in control of all this. Allowed it for a reason. I do know that. I know the money is really His and not theirs. I know He supplies for their needs and takes care of them. I know He will take care of the jerks! I also know I'd like to take care of them!

I know there are far worse things that could happen, too.

Please say a quick prayer for them. Thank you.

UPDATE since this morning: Apparently, a teller in St. Cloud overrode the alert on the account. The jerks (aka suspects, thieves, scoundrels, low-lifes) sent in a withdrawal slip with Mom's license and just her social on the slip. The teller filled in the account number for them and sent out $1,800. Fortunately, the money will be put back in their account in a few days. My parents now have an alert and a password on their new account. So even if they took one of their checks to the branch with their ID, the teller is supposed to ask for a password before passing out cash!