Credit Where It's Due

On Saturday, June 9, I was attending a conference.  For the first (and definitely last time) I walked away from my bag.  I thought it was okay because I had left it near the front of the room of the session I was planning to attend, and the room was full of people. 

During the five minutes I was in the hall making a phone call, a thief went into my wallet and stole my bank card, and two credit cards. 

I didn't realize until Monday, June 11, that any of my cards were missing.  This was because I received a call from my bank, Wachovia, reporting what they considered fraudulent activity.  The security department was alerted because the thief tried to use my bank card as a Visa card, which I never do.  I only use it for deposits and withdrawals.  The bank card was used at Nordstrom's in Tysons Corner.

When the bank card wouldn't work, the thief used my American Express card, which worked instantly.  However, the Nordstrom's salesperson was suspicious because the bank card wouldn't work, so she (or he) contacted the Tysons Corner Police.

The Tysons Corner officer who took the call has a friend who works security at American Express, so he called his friend.  A little while later, the American Express security investigator contacted me with valuable information I shared with the GWU Police.

The thief went on to spend several hundred dollars at Bloomingdales using the American Express card, and then went on to use the MasterCard at another Nordstroms and Bloomingdales.  It's possible that the thief was at Potomac Mills since there was a MasterCard charge for gas in Leesburg, VA.

Before all this heavy shopping and thievery, the thief treated themself to lunch on my American Express card.  I guess they thought they were really getting away with something and thought they were very clever.

Fortunately, the bank was vigilant and after contacting me, immediately cancelled my bank card and made an order to send me another.  Later on June 11, after I had made calls to the credit card companies, I received a call from a Wachovia branch in Falls Church, VA.

Some nice man found my bank card and American Express card abandoned at a 7-11 across the street from the Wachovia.  This person took the time to walk across the street and turn in the cards at the bank.  I asked the bank person to just cut up both cards as both had been cancelled.  (Perhaps this is why the thief abandoned them -- neither worked any longer.)

American Express offered their usual excellent service, immediately noting the charges as fraudulent, removing them from my account, cancelling my card, and sending me another by overnight mail. 

MasterCard noted the fraudulent charges, and sent out new cards within one week.  They also sent the paperwork necessary to file for the fraud investigation.

I also interacted with the GWU Police, and the 2nd District DC Police.  Both departments were very helpful and understanding, and did their best to keep the experience at a minimum for stress and time lost.

Despite the fact that I was initially an unwitting victim of theft, all the help and support I received to deal with the bad situation completely outweighed the bad part.  I received prompt, courteous attention and service, and at times, a sympathetic ear.

So, thief, where ever you are, you still stink.  You are still a small, petty, person and a common criminal.  You are no match for those who help clean up your messes.

I am thankful and glad for the help and support I received; I hereby give credit where it is due:

Wachovia Bank
American Express
Citi Bank MasterCard
GWU Police
2nd District DC Police
Nordstroms Salesperson
Tysons Corner Police
Nice man who turned in the cards

Thanks to all of you for the great job, and for your help during what could have been a messy situation.  I cannot express my appreciation enough.

Although commenting on a much worse situation, I still agree with Anne Frank:
"Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart."   The above list is a resounding example of this sentiment.