Defrauded

We recently visited to a new indoor play gym called Cool-de-sac. (I was attracted by the word “cool” which was bound to include some air-conditioning.) I was paying with a credit card and the attendant told me it was declined. I whip out the backup credit card. Then while the boys play with LEGOS! CARS! PLASTIC FOOD! I called Mastercard. Apparently, someone in the Maryland area stole my number, created a fake card, and used it to make a $1 purchase at a gas station (does it work?), then a $100 purchase (yes! free money!), and then something else that I can’t remember because I was trying to watch both boys at the same time.

I have all kinds of automatic payments set up with that card so for the last couple of weeks I’ve been getting emails and text messages about my card not working and kindly requesting another form of payment immediately. Annoying.

This happened five years ago as well. Mastercard called me because of some suspicious transactions at gas stations so we went through the latest purchases over the phone.

Gas 20 miles from home?  Yes, that was me.

Gas 40 miles from home?  Maybe – could’ve been Jonathan seeing a client.

Hooters?  DEFINITELY FRAUDULENT! CANCEL THE CARD IMMEDIATELY!

I think you know how this ends.

I called Jonathan to let him know what happened so he could cut up his card.

Let me assure you that calling Mastercard back and informing them that Hooter’s was actually a valid charge after all was not part of my marriage contract.

And let me also assure you Jonathan and I had a lengthy conversation that evening.