I've been Robbed!

I compulsively check our bank account every day, just to see if there has been a windfall of some sort deposited in our account. You know, a check from Ed McMahan, the IRS returning years of overpaid taxes (ha), or my employer deciding to pay me what I'm REALLY worth. Anyway,when I checked this morning there a surprise posted on our account, but not on the plus side. I noticed a charge for $159.81 made to Alien Software. I was pretty sure I hadn't bought anything from Alien Software. What could that be, anyway? About a year ago after making a silly on-line purchase of some software that was supposed to help my computer work magic but didn't do a darn thing, my sons advised me not to buy anything computer related without checking with them first. And I haven't. I took their advice to heart, since I'm fond of my money and don't like to get "taken". After googling "Alien Software" and finding out it was a photoshop application, I called Lenny to see if he knew anything about the charge. Nope, he had no idea what I was talking about. He doesn't buy anything on-line. It's only me that likes to have the UPS truck driver appear at my doorstep with little cardboard boxes. (The things he likes are too big to be shipped by UPS!) By now, I was really irritated and fretful about my $159.81. I felt like I'd been robbed! I wasn't sure what to do, but I thought I'd start with calling our bank. The nice "fraud department" lady said I should call the company that generated the charge. There was a phone number for Alien Software listed with the transaction on my statement, so I punched in the numbers thinking, "Yeah right, what kind of response could I get from an outfit called "Alien Software"? After following around 25 prompts, I finally got a chirpy female voice asking me to leave my phone number and someone would get back to me. Again I thought, "Yeah, right, like WHEN?" My mind started in on a conversation with self about the impersonalization of the world, and why can't I talk to a real person, and how did someone get my debit card information when all I ever use is so-called "secure sites"? I put the phone down, took a shower, and went about my day. I was in the produce section of the grocery store squeezing a cantalope when my phone rang. Miracle of miracles it was a pleasant woman, Lisa, from Alien Software! I explained what had happened and she promptly agreed to reverse the charges and suggested I have my card cancelled immediately. My next stop was the bank to do just that. Now I have to wait 10 days for a new debit card and then memorize a new PIN. How am I going to shop? Oh, that's right, I can write a check. Has anyone seen my checkbook?

Thought for the day: Robbery has taken on new forms. It used to be a thief needed a gun and a get-a-way car, now all they need is computer savvy. Luckily this kind of theft can be resolved without too much problem. However, my blood pressure did go up and now I'm inconvenienced. I'm glad I check my account regularly. Maybe next time the surprise WILL be on the plus side!