Identity Theft is...

...so frustrating. 

I bought my daughter replacement straws for her sippy cups, and the company's information was hacked.  I received one of the standard issue letters from them and really didn't think much of it at the time.  I've received similar letters before but nothing's ever come from it. 

Not this time.

I went to use my bank card and it bounced.  I knew that couldn't possibly be right so I checked.  Sure enough, there were almost $500 worth of charges that weren't mine. I called the companies immediately and had them cancel the orders.  No problem, I thought.  I've caught them before the charges actually went through.

BIG PROBLEM.  A week later, I went to pay my bills for November and found I didn't have the funds to do so.  Even though I had the charges canceled by calling the companies to whom the fraudulent charges were made, my bank is still charging me $150 in over draft fees.  I called the bank thinking there must be an error as I canceled the charges before they even went through.  No error.  Because the money was held, it was subtracted from my account.  The bank will not reimburse these fees until both companies write letters stating they don't reimburse fees caused by fraudulent charges (Seriously?!?  There are companies out there that DO reimburse fees to non-customers for charges that aren't their fault?!?).  I felt ridiculous even asking for such a letter, but if it was going to cancel the charges?  So that's what I did.

Another week has gone by and still my money has not been returned.  Called the bank this morning because I am now in desperate need to pay my now overdue bills.  The letters did not meet their specifications.  One didn't list the charges separately, another didn't state the charges were erroneous...  you get the idea.  This morning I am calling business AGAIN requesting letters.

It's rotten not to be able to pay your bills for reasons out of your control. Even more so at this time or year.  I can't use any of my credit cards, as I haven't made November payments, and have no money in my bank account.  It gives a whole new appreciation for those that are out of work and can't make ends meet. 

The funny thing is that it took more than 2 weeks to get the replacement straws from the company so, I finally just ordered them through Amazon.  It's what I should have done all along, order from Amazon.  The straws from the original order finally did arrive, but I had already vowed never to order from that other company again.  This fiasco has only strengthened that decision.