Skullduggery

Late 2022 and early 2023 I was targeted by thieves to defraud my online internet transactions via my debit card. I had to replace my card three times. So far so good. Last week, however, an attack on my online access to my checking account was attempted. They appeared to have taken $5000 but that turned out to be an attempt only. They failed. However, this transaction begged correction and the real fraud was in the contact with the ‘helper’ people. They were the criminals.

To correct the fraud, I inadvertently worked with the perpetrators themselves, posing as problem solvers. They transferred $3000 out of my savings and into my checking without my knowledge. They then wanted those funds to be credited to them via a fake transaction. That action would have required me to go to a store and buy a gift card for $3000 which, of course, would be to their benefit.

I smelled the rat finally and hung up. I then called my financial institution (my credit union). They killed my account, reversed all fake transactions, and opened a new checking account for me. New checks have been ordered but not yet received. Of course, direct debit payees for some of my vendors (rent, internet wi-fi, etc.) will be notified by me for alternate forms of payment via the new checking account.

The last 18 months have been unhappy ones just on the basis of technology manipulated by criminals. Of course, the last 14 months were unhappy due to Rocky’s illness and death. That was a natural life force while the criminal acts were pure human skullduggery. That is an unhappy circumstance. I guess it is to be expected but not celebrated. It amazes me how bald these people are. Imagine actually talking with them and enlisting my aid in defrauding me! The nerve. Sick. Disheartening.

Well, I have learned some lessons. The first is to trust myself and hang up on them quickly. The second is attempt not to be suckered into the cheat in the first place. The third is to know these things are more normal than we realize, and we need to be alert to their presence early on.

Meanwhile, I pledge to remain a positive and kind human being. I cannot control what others do to me, but I can control what I do for and with others. That positive feature is all on me and ought to be continued.

I promise to do my best and not let the other bastards get me down.

Peace to you all in such mad times.

January 19, 2024

 

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