Reminder to check your bank account

[Rob Cummings]

NFR, but I just wanted to send out a reminder to everyone how important it is to frequently check your bank statements AND your credit report. I make it a habit to pull my 3 bureau credit report every 3 months and check my bank account transactions a few times a week and the paranoia paid off today. I had an impulse to check my online bank statement today and was just in time to catch a HUGE problem:

Somehow, somewhere, someone stole my debit card information and used WesternUnion.com to empty that checking account and send $968 and $1038 to some ***hole in Egypt. "Luckily" it was sent to an account that was under US Govt sanctions and the funds were held and locked by Uncle Sam so no terrorists got my cash. About 27 phone calls later, 3 hours on hold, 2 faxes, and a police report and I'll have my money back in 48 hours. Had I not checked it today and caught it so soon, it would have turned into a complete nightmare!!!

Along with that, ensure your computer is up to date with the latest in virus fighting software to include adware and spyware. I'm unsure as to how the person got my card #s, whether it was a local store or internet. Be vigilant!!