Shock. Anger. Fear. Those are the emotions I felt this week when I discovered that someone was making unauthorized purchases on my bank account.
My first reaction was to wrack my brain for when or why I would have made the purchase. Given my current under-employment situation any purchase over $100 is cause for pause so I knew I had not made an on-line purchase for $400+ to some merchant I've never heard of. In quick succession I wondered, "Is this a bank error? If not, how did someone get my account information? What online transaction have I made lately that could have opened me up to this violation?"
After the shock, I was surprised at the strength of my anger and fear. Rape victims often speak of being violated. That was how I felt - my private, supposedly secure financial transactions were not; my 'trust' in my financial institution was betrayed. Despite the firewalls they erected and the safety precautions I used, someone had invaded my privacy. The line between anger and fear was blurry. How would I cover this month's expenses? What if the offender continues hitting my account? How do I stop this?
My first reaction was to wrack my brain for when or why I would have made the purchase. Given my current under-employment situation any purchase over $100 is cause for pause so I knew I had not made an on-line purchase for $400+ to some merchant I've never heard of. In quick succession I wondered, "Is this a bank error? If not, how did someone get my account information? What online transaction have I made lately that could have opened me up to this violation?"
After the shock, I was surprised at the strength of my anger and fear. Rape victims often speak of being violated. That was how I felt - my private, supposedly secure financial transactions were not; my 'trust' in my financial institution was betrayed. Despite the firewalls they erected and the safety precautions I used, someone had invaded my privacy. The line between anger and fear was blurry. How would I cover this month's expenses? What if the offender continues hitting my account? How do I stop this?
Thankfully, a second call to my bank's customer service department was more helpful in correcting the situation. Restrictions were placed on the card immediately, the process of replacing my debit card was begun, and best of all, the funds were restored - within 24 hours like they said.
In the aftermath I've been thinking about what my reaction says about my thoughts and feelings about money. We recently heard a stewardship sermon, reminding us, once again, that what we have is all God's. We are simply stewards of his good gifts. It's just another case where (for me) it's much easier to talk the talk than walk the talk. This was a pretty good reminder that I'm clinging more tightly to my bank account, than the One who graciously provides.
In the aftermath I've been thinking about what my reaction says about my thoughts and feelings about money. We recently heard a stewardship sermon, reminding us, once again, that what we have is all God's. We are simply stewards of his good gifts. It's just another case where (for me) it's much easier to talk the talk than walk the talk. This was a pretty good reminder that I'm clinging more tightly to my bank account, than the One who graciously provides.
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