posted on August 6, 2005 05:53:12 AM
To make this eBay related I hope I have a good weekend on eBay to make up for what the thieves might steal from my very empty checking account.
My boyfriend has worked 16 hour days the last 2 days so last evening I made him dinner to take to the job site. I stopped at Sheetz to get him and his business partner water. I grabbed a check out of my checkbook and my Debit ID Holder thing (the things I sell) because I was going to buy him snuff and I figured I'd probably get carded. I rolled up my windows and ran into the store. I was in there a total of 2 minutes TOPS. I came back out to the car and went to put my ID Holder back into my purse...and my purse was GONE. I almost bawled.'
I'm sure the thief was sorely dissapointed to what they found. My checkbook is empty, I mean there is nothing in it. I had plenty of checks though, I just started a new book. They found my half used pack of birth control pills, my receipts from my trip to Wisconsin, a photo album with my daughter's pictures in it, my boyfriends business cards, my name tags from work. I didn't have so much as $1.00 in that purse. Thank God I thought I was going to get carded and took my cards in with me.
I loved that darn purse. I bought it at Old Navy ~ the first and only purse I've ever spent more than $10 on. It's probably in a dumpster somewhere in my town by now.
I don't know what goes through someone's head when they contemplate doing something like that. That was MY purse in MY car and they had no business touching it.
Yes i should have locked my car but I leave my purse in my boyfriends car all the time and nothing ever happens to it. I thought for all of the 2 minutes I'd be in there no big deal. I learned my lesson.
My boyfriend is taking me out to dinner tonight for my birthday and he said he would buy me a new purse when we were out.
posted on August 6, 2005 06:56:04 AM
Sorry about your purse!
Happy Birthday!
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
posted on August 6, 2005 07:17:24 AM
Thanks Fenix (for both)
I just got back from the bank. Those suckers CHARGED me to put a stop payment on the checks that might come through if someone uses them! How can they do that? This isn't my fault. I can see if I put a stop payment because of some other reason but my dang purse was stolen! Now I really need to have a good sales weekend.
posted on August 6, 2005 07:34:34 AM
you should ask the bank if these checks with falsified signature come thru,they should be considered fraud ,why do you have to put stop payments on them??
say a Nigerian got hold of you account number etc and have a local printer print up some checks and try to use them,are you resposnsible for them when they bounce??
-sig file -------
Eat grass,kick ass,never go belly up!
posted on August 6, 2005 07:52:54 AM
Most places where I live ask for ID when you write out a check so I don't know if they'd get them cashed most places. Now if they go to Walmart they just run the check through the scanner and don't check ID. I called them last night and asked them to put an alert on their registers if any checks come through to check for ID.
They can go to their own bank, write a check to themselves, deposit it and it will come back to my bank.
If I hadn't put a stop on them I'd be responsible for everythign that come through it. Since I put a stop on about....33 checks they will go back to the initial bank. But I had to pay to do that and I don't think that's right. It shouldn't cost me to have my purse stolen. I already feel violated enough, lets have the bank put the screws to me too
posted on August 6, 2005 08:12:13 AM
You said your checking account is empty or almost empty.
I believe Walmart put the customer check thru a scanner to check if there is money in the bank account so if they use it at Walmart ,it will not be accepted.
Most places which cash personal checks do the same,and ask for photo ID.
They would be very stupid to write out an amount and deposit it in their own checking account,they will be convicted for falsifying your signature.
It is your bank 's job to verify signatures ,of course they cant do this with every check,but there is no reason you have to pay for someone falsifying your signature.
The way these check scanners work,there are several options,one is to put a hold on the amount in your account,to be sure it would clear.
-sig file -------
Eat grass,kick ass,never go belly up!
[ edited by stopwhining on Aug 6, 2005 08:15 AM ]
posted on August 6, 2005 08:15:07 AM
Yeah I know the Walmart system checks but just in case. I just shouldn't have to pay for someone stealing my purse.
If someone is ballsy enough to open my car, get on my car floor, uncover my purse from the bag it was underneath and steal it they probably would be ballsy enough to try and cash a check somewhere.
posted on August 6, 2005 08:20:52 AM
HI Helga,
Sorry to hear about your purse but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Can't you just close down that account it to bypass the stop payment fees.
take care,
rosanne
posted on August 6, 2005 08:26:23 AM
I thought about closing my account but my Child Support checks are direct deposited into the account and so are my paychecks. That would delay any payments I get (one is due on Tuesday) and it would mess up my paychecks because they need 30 days to stop the Direct Deposit and adjust it. If I didn't have any direct deposit stuff I would have closed it instantly. If someone tried to write a check off of a closed account they'd be in even more hot water.
That really stinks. I'm sure that my niece who had not only her car stolen, but $500 in cash out of her purse can relate in a big way! All this while caring for a sick child in the hospital.
I honestly don't know what goes through people's heads. I'm sure that most of us are the type that when someone is really down and out, we'd do what we could to help. Instead of asking, these people steal and I'm sorry, but I spend a lot of energy on wishing them bad Karma.
Helga, in spite of it all, try to celebrate your birthday on a high note. Things happen for a reason even if we don't know why. You've been through a lot this past year and I'm sure you've become a stronger person for it. I wish you nothing but the best and am sending good vibes your way!
posted on August 6, 2005 08:52:32 AM
Helga,
If your bank is open today & if you have time head in, try to work things out with the branch manager or the next in line. Tell them that you are not in a financial position to stop payment on all the missing checks. It would simply add up to create a burden on your already financial taxed lifestyle. If they don't corporate with you, I'm sure that you might have some other recourse. Maybe one of our very bright & giving vendio friends can come up with another suggestion.
Rosanne
posted on August 6, 2005 09:07:09 AM
One suggestion: Even though you had your "cards" with you, I'd contact the credit bureaus and file a fraud alert. This will protect you in case any checks make it through. Most people who steal purses do not use the checks. It's too risky. They are mostly after quick cash and credit cards that they can use without the need for an ID. However, with Internet sites allowing more and more electronic checks and the check cashing places becoming more and more lax, I'd be closing my checking account and contacting the direct depositors right away. It's your cheapest and safest bet. I can't believe your bank is charging you these things. Did you file a police report? If not, I would do so.
I rarely write checks anymore and when I go out anywhere I take no more than one check with me. I use my debit card almost exclusively. My purse is with me at all times. And, ALWAYS lock your car doors even if you are leaving it for only a couple of minutes. Keeping them unlocked gives people the opportunity to not only steal what is in your car, but the opportunity hide in your car and car jack you. We like you too much to have that happen to you.
posted on August 6, 2005 09:33:19 AM
Thanks for the suggestions Cheryl.
I already filed a police report, I did so right there at the store. They took all of my information and told me if they found my purse dumped somewhere they would contact me.
I know that thieves aren't looking for checks ~ that's why they were probably really disappointed that they got MY purse since that's basically all that was in it.
I usually do always lock my car ironically enough. I live in the low income housing section of my town and I lock my car even when I'm running into the house to grab something I forgot. I lock it at my boyfriends and he lives in the middle of nowhere. I just though I'll only be in there a second, it won't hurt. I mean that was stupid and I do realize that.
I did go to the bank this morning to report all of this. I filled out the paperwork to stop the checks from the numbers that would be used if they use them and that's when they told me they were goign to charge me. I was in tears ~ they didn't care. It's all business to them
I'll be much much more careful from now on.
And I didn't realize how hard it is, just 18 hours later, how hard it is to NOT have a purse. I just ran to the post office to mail some packages and I was all thumbs trying to juggle everything without a purse.
posted on August 6, 2005 10:07:06 AM
It's on its way, Helga! I included a lot of good thoughts, prayers and wishes for you. So, the package should be good and heavy by the time it arrives!
posted on August 6, 2005 10:14:01 AM
I'm glad they didn't get any cash - it sounds like it was a circumstance theft - they saw the purse, tried the door and found it unlocked and grabbed it - my guess is that they just looked through it for cash and valuables, didn't find any and tossed it out the car window.
I had someone try to grab my purse off my shoulder as I was walking up the street and they were passing by in a car. This was several years ago. The strap got caught on my arm, and before it broke, I was actually dragged a few feet on the street! I had everything in there - the worst thing being my keys - car keys, apartment keys, mailbox keys, it cost several hundred dollars just to get everything rekeyed!
They did the same thing to an older lady a week later, same M.O. and they were caught! I was able to ID the actual purse snatcher, the passenger, because I will never forget that he seemed to be laughing as I was dragged!
They were convicted of several theft crimes, and ordered to pay restitution - $500 to me for the purse, contents, keys, etc. A year later I kept pursuing it and finally received $250 in restitution. He never paid the rest and eventually ended up in jail.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Caroline
posted on August 6, 2005 10:24:18 AM
I had my wallet in my glove compartment and it was stolen in my yard in Orlando,Fla while I ran in for a minute to grab something I had forgot. Thiefs are fast I'm telling ya. Around here they walk from car to car in the Walmart parking lots trying to find a quick grab. It is surprising how many people leave their windows down or cars unlocked. Down in Florida you never leave your vehicle running unattended...here in Kentucky they do it all the time.
**********************************
Two men sit behind bars,one sees mud the other sees stars.
posted on August 6, 2005 10:26:12 AM
if they have a gun,dont fight them,let them have everything.
once a law student on her way to intern at a law firm,fought the robber as she tried to save the new briefcase ,was shot in the head and died the next day when her parents flew into town.
not worth your life fighting over a purse or briefcase.
-sig file -------
Eat grass,kick ass,never go belly up!
posted on August 6, 2005 10:29:47 AM
I'm amazed at people with convertibles that leave the top down while shopping. That's asking to have your car stolen. Alarms do no good. How many people even pay attention to the alarms anymore? I accidentally left a car window open on our street for an entire night. I was lucky! Ken's band equipment (several hundred dollars worth) was in the back of the Jeep. It was still there in the morning. I'm still getting reamed over that one. A couple of years ago while at the drug store, I left the car door unlocked. Just for a couple of minutes. When I came out, the only thing they took was a pack of cigarettes. They didn't touch the eBay packages sitting on the back seat. I knew my luck was running out so now the car is always locked. Even in our driveway.
Caroline, you're lucky you weren't seriously hurt! I'm glad they caught the theives, though and that now they're in jail.
posted on August 6, 2005 10:51:36 AM
I used to have a convertible. Spent $500 having a new top put on it because the original one had been cut thru. I never locked that car. There was nothing in it that was worth the cost of having to replace that top again. The funny thing was that one night a new security guard in our complex came to me door to let me know that my windows were down in the car and ask if I wanted him to lock it up. He thought I was crazy when I told him the car was always unlocked until I explained why. Have to say that I did feel pretty secure about that complex after that.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
posted on August 6, 2005 05:51:08 PM
That makes me think of the cargo van I used to drive, it was always a mess and loaded with auction stuff, shipping stuff, etc. I went to Ikea one night and didn't lock it.
I had one of those old huge, heavy brass National cash registers in there. Someone broke in to several cars in the parking lot, they went in to mine, tried to move the register and gave up really quickly. They left after going through my glove box and didn't bother with the register, which I later sold for $700 - so they were too weak to take the one good thing I had in there!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Caroline
posted on August 6, 2005 06:30:31 PM
Next time, have your pharmacist put your bc prescription in a bottle labeled "Oxycontin". If it gets stolen again, he'll try to sell them as narcotics, and the buyer will shoot him. If he takes them himself, he'll be easy to find. He'll be the only punk in the neighborhood that has to wear a 48 DD bra and squeeks when he talks.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
Sorry about your situation. Knock on wood that hasn't happened to me. I am guilty of leaving the doors unlocked and windows down with my purse still in the car. I always carry my wallet which has my checkbook in it. About the only thing in my purse would be the key card to get into the building where I work and there is no info in the purse or on the card to indicate where it is I work.
I witnessed a car being stolen at a Quik Trip 6:00 in the morning. A couple years ago I was there to get something to drink before I went to work. I saw a white van that looked like they were getting ready to pull out of the parking lot but just sat there. When I got out of my car I heard yelling and someone was taking off in this Mercedes. This lady comes running up to the door and into QT saying her car was just stolen. From what I understand it was running at the time (cold outside then). I told her all I saw was the white van that took off about the same time they took her car but I didn't get any plate #s. I don't know if they ever got caught or if she got her car back.
Sparkz, You are too funny. I love that remark about the prescription drugs. Maybe they oughta do that to lots of criminals. At least they would be easy to identify and would be "branded" so you know that they are thieves.
posted on August 6, 2005 09:18:02 PM
Helga..This actually happened while I was attending college in San Francisco in the 60's. The Greyhound depot, which is not in the best part of town, had a high incidence of luggage theft from customers who would set their suitcases on the sidewalk while awaiting a taxi. A carload of thieves would drive by and hug the curb which is a passenger loading zone, and snatch a suitcase and keep on going. One day they snatched a suitcase and sped out of the area. There was a report of an accident 4 blocks from the scene. A car had driven through a plate glass window of a business, four people exited the car, and ran in four different directions. When the cops arrived, they found the car, with the open suitcase in the back seat, along with a very pissed off bobcat snarling at anyone who came near him. SPCA caught the cat and released him in the mountains, and the police caught the crooks when two of them came to emergency rooms for treatment of their wounds. They never could figure out how someone managed to get a bobcat into a suitcase, but I guess if a victim is incensed enough, he can figure it out.
Have you given any thought to getting a 25 cent purse from Goodwill and planting a rattlesnake in it? Park it in the same parking lot with the doors unlocked, windows down, and purse sitting on the dashboard.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on August 7, 2005 07:21:12 AM
If a check is used without your knowledge and the bank accepts it then the bank would be responsible (they pay insurance for that).
Unfortunately, once you reported the theft, their liabilty became limited. HOWEVER, state banking laws differ and you should check with you state agency. In texas it is the TBA. Your state.gov page should have some link.
You can also report the loss here:
Also, report stolen or fraudulent use of checks to:
The best remedy is to close the account. However, I understand you cannot. Also, talk to the bank manager. Perhaps they can do something for you. If they can't, go to your nearest Independent bank, open an account and begin the paperwork to have your checks transferred. Let the first bank know that you are doing this.
Edited to add: Here is a great link:
http://www.ckfraud.org/index.html
Good luck!
And happy birthday.
Beth
www.vintageads4u.com
[ edited by vintageads4u on Aug 7, 2005 07:23 AM ]
posted on August 7, 2005 08:33:11 AM
bank is still liable after she reported the theft,they are still expected to verify the signature on the check.
-sig file -------
Eat grass,kick ass,never go belly up!
posted on August 7, 2005 08:42:15 AM
I don't think banks or anyone verifies signatures anymore. I was at Marshall's a few weeks ago - a discount clothing store. Had a brain freeze and wrote the check to TJ Maxx (a similar discount clothing store).
Not only did the clerk take the check and not notice, but the check cleared through Marshall's with no problem.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Caroline
posted on August 7, 2005 08:54:45 AM
My husband bought home a newsletter with some hints and tricks for protecting yourself in case your CC ever get stolen.
The best one was to write with a marker or indelible pen where you're supposed to sign your name on the back - and instead of signing your name - write REQUEST PHOTO ID. Something like that - maybe it was Require. I thought that was a good idea but unfortunately they could still use it at like a gas station where you just swipe your card and not have to punch in any PIN numbers or anything.
One of my DH's co-workers just got back from picking up his daughter at the Atlanta Airport. He had to go through the security checkpoint and the conveyor belt thingy. He took off his watch, his keys, his cell phone and wallet and put them all on the conveyor belt. There was only one person in line with him.
When he gets to the other end of the conveyor belt his stuff is there - minus his wallet. He told the security guards to stop that person and secure the area as his wallet was missing. They said they couldn't do that. (now my DH and his co-workers are air traffic controllers - they are very familiar with how airports work). He insisted they call the supervisor and the police and they finally did - AFTER the other guy made off with his wallet.
I said I thought that maybe they were both in cahoots with each other - the security guy and the thief.
Anyway - it took him days to get everything squared away.
Why a guy would put his wallet on the conveyor belt is beyond me - but the moral is - don't put anything through one that you don't want to lose.
(for both)
Caroline