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Fraudulent use
The lad called me early this morning to let me know that he would probably not be home in time to visit the bank, but maybe I’d better do so in a hurry because he lost his wallet on the way home. Preparing to go do a little Christmas shopping, he discovered the wallet was gone. I did a quick on-line check before heading out the door and whaddya know—someone already used his check/VISA card to purchase a $46 tank of gasoline in King of Prussia, PA.
Isn’t it interesting that a tank of gas is the thing that someone would use the card to buy? Maybe not so surprising, really. Gas pumps don’t require any signatures or identification for a credit card transaction. Well, Merry Christmas to someone, I guess.
In any event, I put a stop on his card (since I am also on the account) and ordered a new one. The bank will file a fraudulent use claim for the transaction and refund the $46 to his account sometime in the next week.
It would be just too much to ask for the person who found the lad’s wallet to make an attempt to return it. Not in this day and age. Still kind of amazes me that some people have no hesitation to steal like that. Makes me wonder whether they were really desperate for the money and that overcame any moral considerations or whether it was a case of “Hey, free money! Let’s see how much we can get out of this sucker.”
I suspect neither is the explanation. I think these people are cold, calculating, and cynical. It’s mechanical for them. Opportunity? Take it.
So will the Lad learn a lesson from this?
Pablo is right. There are a few, a very few, who would simply return it--either to him via mail or turn into a local police station, but the majority would do exactly what was done and that is a sad commentary.......My younger one used to be the world’s worst at losing his wallet...there are at least three - with full sets of identification--at the bottom of various quarries--’but Mom, I was PUSHED in and did not expect it’. Another was lost out in Arizona somewhere while camping--along with a tent (don’t ask, you would not believe it even if I told you!!)... Luckily he never had a ccard in those days.
On another note, as I head into the second day of marathon baking--have a wonderful, wonderful Christmas and visit with the lad. May the best of everything be yours. Merry Merry Christmas!! And the same to all your loyal readers!!
I must be the one of the last remaining, with a quaint streak of idealism—believing that there are still more people like Pablo or Cyn or me who wouldn’t go out shopping with the contents of someone else’s wallet.
I also think gas stations (and others) are setting themselves up for persistent fraud if they don’t require PIN numbers or signatures when putting through credit card transactions.
The lad lost his wallet while in a King of Prussia movie theater with his Dad. They stuffed their jackets in the seats next to them and the lad’s wallet apparently slid out of his jacket pocket and onto the floor. At the least, he has learned to check his pockets to make sure he still has his wallet. And he has definitely learned that being the victim of fraud CAN happen to him. He has quite a number of hoops to jump through when he gets back to school as all his school ID and his key cards are gone.
The lad arrived last evening and decided to hang at home with Mom. There were a number of phone calls made and received, but he said he was in for the night. Today the social whirl begins. And today I begin my baking marathon. It is such a treat having him here. Merry Christmas to you, too, Cyn.
I’ve had wallets stolen twice, but both times occurred when I had no credit cards (I was 19 and 20, when credit card companies hadn’t yet sunk to the levels of stupidity they have since and thus wouldn’t give me a card).
Quote Satchel Paige to the lad:
“Go very light on the vices, such as carrying on in society—the social ramble ain’t restful. “
Not that it’ll do any good. 
The social ramble ain’t restful for some of us. 
I’m currently babysitting the front door, expecting two young ladies to arrive momentarily. The lad is at a party somewhere else, but said he’d be home by 12:30 and coordinated with me to entertain the girls (if they get here early) until he gets home.
You know, these kids would be totally unable to manage their lives without their cell phones. It’s quite amazing to watch.
Just in case I don’t get to talk to you today. Give the lad a kiss from me and have a nice Christmas eve! We are headed to Maine in the morning. Well as early as we can possibly get five people ready with one bathroom lol. I am sure I will talk with you some time tomorrow at least.
I have to work today, and then have to pick up GC2 so I won’t get home until at least 6:30-7, and then there is the whole dinner thing to be done. Dang, why do these kids need to eat so much? lol.
Heh. Justme, we had Christmas Eve dinner last evening, since half the family has to work today. Today’s dinner (and lunch, and snacks) features leftover turkey.
Christmas Day present-opening doesn’t begin until 3:30pm or 4:00pm tomorrow. There goes my pigs-in-a-blanket Christmas morn tradition.