Credit Card Fraud

So I didn't mention when I posted yesterday the other thing that has been keeping me busy lately...I was the victim of credit card fraud. Someone stole either my husband's or my credit card number and used it to have a little fun on the Internet. I received a call from my credit card company that there had been unusual activity. I verified that the purchases were not mine. They closed the account. No big deal, right?

Unfortunately, it escalated. Whoever stole the number off my card, decided they would have a little fun with me. They have been ordering things and having them shipped to my house. Not anything valuable, mind you. Stupid shit. Software, book club purchases, coupon books.

For each of these items, there have been four so far, I have had to call the company that it was ordered from, cancel the order and arrange for it to be shipped back. Then I have to call my credit card company and alert them to the fraudulent purchase. I have also had to involve my local sheriff's office, since this idiot now has my home address and my husband's name - everything is coming in his name. Each time I have to deal with it, it takes me around 40 minutes to an hour, depending on how helpful the customer service reps are. So far, I have only had a bad experience with one - who felt that the purchase was probably made by one of my children (who are 8, 5, 2 and 15 mos.) or my husband. She was quite rude to me even after I explained that there had been many online purchases that were fraudulent on my account and I could assure her that I did not purchase the software in question.

When I called the credit card company about the last package I received, I spoke with someone in their investigations department. He said they were trying to figure out why someone would order merchandise and have it shipped to the card holder. I said I thought they were just trying to be a pain in the ass. He said, either that or they were the stupidest criminal ever.

So, today the officer who took the police report about all of this business is coming to pick up a copy of the "affirmation of fraud" form that the credit card company sent. That information will help them in their investigation. That visit is kind of a catch 22 for me...the guy was nice and kind of cute, and it is always nice to be able to break up your day a little bit when you are a stay at home mom. The adult interaction that his two minute visit will provide will carry me through the day (how sad is that). But, for someone who is new to the neighborhood and usually worried about what others think, this will mark the second time in two weeks that a sheriff's police car will visit my home. What will the neighbors think?!?!?

Is it Really Spring?

So it is spring time again? Time flies. Since my last post, our family has been busy - as usual. The boys are enrolled in swim lessons. Because of my five year old's non ossified fibroma bone tumors, his physical activity is severly limited. He can't participate in any group or contact sports. And he can't do any "cutting", which means quick change of direction. He is more at risk of breaking his leg again if he twists it than if he actually falls. Swimming is one of the only things he can do. He is also allowed to run and ride his bike. That is it. So, we enrolled him and his older brother in swim lessons. They seem to be having a good time. And it is always a good idea to learn how to swim.

We are finally getting some home improvements underway. All of the hideous wallpaper that was up when we moved in 11 months ago is now gone! The walls have been primed. We have picked our colors and hopefully this weekend the paint will begin going on the walls. Of course, we had to pay someone else to do all of this because my husband and I simply don't have the time. But it is getting done, and faster that we would do it. I am so pleased!

We are also having custom built ins put in our living room, and our foyer floor replaced. That work is supposed to start next week. The built ins are going to be painted the same color as our trim, so that they look original to the house, which is 40 years old. I am so excited! Finally my books and stamping things can come out of boxes and closets and be placed where I can enjoy them. Everyone else's things got unpacked and put away. There was nowhere to put my books or paper crafting (card making and scrapbooking) supplies; the things that I love to do. When these built ins are completed, I will finally have a place for my favorite things. I can't wait.

I am so happy that we are making this house ours! We didn't do as much of that in our last house. We kept things the same as what the previous owners had, for the most part, until we needed to spruce it up to sell it. Then we did the home improvements that we had wanted to do, but never took the time to do. My husband and I swore we wouldn't do that this time around. By the time all of the painting is complete, we will only have our bedroom, the laundry room and the bathrooms left to take care of.

My mom's health is about the same. She responded extremely well to her treatments. The cancer in her breast is gone, and the tumor in her lung is gone as well. Of course, she still has cancer in her bones, there isn't anything that can be done to rid her body of that. Just goes to show you that if she had taken care of this five years ago (maybe even more) when the cancer started she probably could have been a survivor. Her breast surgeon wants to do a simple mastectomy. He said there are studies that show if you rid the body of where the cancer originated, it will be slower to grow in other places. But he also said it wouldn't change her prognosis or extend her life. I am not quite sure what the benefit is then. Why put your self through the painful surgery if, in the end, you are still only going to live for another year. But I am also not the one with cancer, so I can't judge. I can only stand by and help my mom with whatever decision she chooses to make. I suppose that when you have cancer, you feel a bit like you don't have control. So I suppose that doing something proactive like having the surgery would make you feel more in control...like you were doing something to fight. And I will stand by her and help her whatever she decides.

Time for lunch and the baby is getting into trouble...until next time....