The Real Tea

In my last blog, I mentioned traveling on a business trip for work. I learned about traveling with co-workers, but I have recently learned an even more important lesson – not to use your debit cards ANYWHERE other than YOUR bank and that may not be safe either.

Let me explain! When I arrived to work on Monday, I had an email from my corporate credit card account provider informing me of possible fraudulent charges. It only showed one charge which immediately, I knew it wasn’t mine. Hurrying, I went online to view my recent activity. Starting on Saturday, there were two charges to two different hotels, two charges to two different Winn-Dixie’s and two charges to two different Publix’s in various areas of Florida. Why two charges and two different locations, I have no clue. The charges totaled to over $2000. I thought to myself, if I had used my personal debit card that would have been horrific. I called the credit card company and went through the proper channels to be directed to the fraud department. I spoke with a representative who was very helpful and reassuring even though I thought I would be given the third degree about where I was and did I use the card! I have been reading lately that identify theft is on the rise so I prayed that maybe she had all the proof she needed. The representative verified my address and issued me another card. Thank GOD it was that simple! I checked my account today and the charges are still there, so I don’t know how long it will take for the charges to be credited. It’s really sad that some people’s job occupation is to steal credit cards or people’s personal information to sell for money. The representative stated that the card was copied by someone that had physical access to the card. They knew this because some of the information held by the counterfeiters was only available on the card itself.  This is apparently known as skimming and is a major problem with credit cards right now.  The cards are usually swiped by a clerk at a restaurant, gas station, and etc, when you give them the card to pay your bill. Now keep in mind, I used the card at several restaurants, hotel, and airport while on my business trip in North Carolina. I notified my other two co-workers who went on the trip with me of the compromising of my card and found out my supervisor’s personal credit card had been compromised also. We immediately realized it had to be at one of the restaurants we ate at because he didn’t use his corporate card for food. He only uses his corporate card for hotel, flight, and car rental transactions. He had bogus charges to show up in various parts of the world (two different countries simultaneously) along with some attempts to change the pin number on the card. I guess to take money off the card.

Be aware of the many types of thefts and watch how you handle your cards when paying bills. I will no longer use my debit card for those transactions. It would have been a totally different story if it was my debit card because it’s linked directly to my checking account. Even though that money would be returned, who knows how long it would take. If you are like me, I use my checking account to pay my bills. That type of money being removed at one time could have caused checks to bounce and numerous overage charges depending on the amount of checks or automatic payments pending. Get in the know and use precaution when using your debit or credit cards.

Do you ever get the feeling like it’s always… something? Remember the saying, “Either you’re about to enter a storm, in a storm, or coming out of a storm?” Sometimes I feel like I’m constantly in a storm. Yes, the storms sometimes change from one direction and right into another without a second of sunshine. Storms can rotate seemingly, causing high winds to bring about confusion from a simple disagreement with your spouse or significant other and from that on to your children misbehaving and then to top it off you never can get financially stable. At least that’s how it feels when the storms are raging.

No one and what I mean by no one – family or friends, you talk to, can give you the answers you’re looking for. And, of course it’s hard for others to understand what you’re going through when they haven’t gone through that exact situation. Ever wonder why that happens? Did you ever think it’s because you’re going to the wrong person or people? I recommend you take all your troubles and cares to GOD. He’s the only one that can ease the pain that you’re feeling. He may not be there right when you want him, but he’ll be there, right on time! He won’t put you through no more than you can handle. Just think, GOD may just need your undivided attention and this is the only way he can get it! Go to GOD in prayer when things are going good in your life and most definitely when they are not.

Always remember GOD knows exactly what he’s doing and he has you right where he wants you. Be patient, because soon the sun will shine. When you’re up to nothing, God always up to something!