RL Woes: Credit Card Theft

[Alberic]

So, I had a nice Thanksgiving present for me last week. I started a new job in mid-October doing data entry for a financial services company--nothing glamorous, but a steady paycheck and working for someone I'd worked for previously, so not a bad gig. I was hired at the same time as someone else (let's call her Jane). There were a couple of other guys in our area as well, but our work stations were for the most part big open cubicles with long wrap-around desks in a shadowed corner of the office, halfway around the floor from where my boss works.

Last Tuesday, I was all happy that it was my last day of work that week thanks to the holiday. I hit a late lunch around 2 p.m., which I pay for with my debit card, then during my lunch break, I buy something online with my credit card. Wednesday? I discover both of these missing from my wallet. Nothing else from my wallet or purse was taken, just my two cards. Also on Wednesday? Someone maxed my credit card out and took a grand from my checking account, probably would've taken more if we hadn't caught it by that point.

So, from simple tracing back of my steps, the theft HAD to have occurred at work, and probably was either Jane or any of the guys that work in that area. Jane's most likely since someone would've had to walk right by her to get at my desk. I feel angry and naive for having had my purse out on my desk where someone could get into it, but the ironic thing is, I didn't have any keys to the desk I sit at until just this week, so I couldn't have locked it up or anything. I had to file a police report, I had to go back to work Monday and look everyone in the eye wondering who the fucker was that took my money, and had to somehow explain to my boss that all of this happened (she was very sympathetic at least).

And the kicker? Because I was paying for my POL with those cards, and we're in December now, I'm kicked from FFXI until my new cards come in. Hope no one needs me for anything for a few days!

The person that took all of the money blew it all at places like Target and Foot Locker and Best Buy, all local places, so unless a wizard somehow picked my pocket, stole the cards, then put my wallet back, it HAD to have been at work. It's nice to have a job but it's hard to face my coworkers (especially Jane) when I think one of them might've jacked a significant amount of my money (when I don't have that much to jack!) to blow on dumb shit.

 

[Wakmidget1]

That really sucks. It kind of reminds me of the time I found this guy's wallet under a chair at work. It was really late at night, and he had been having dinner with his family out on the patio. I went out to check on them and they we're gone, and his wallet left behind.

I flipped up one end just to check the ID inside, and and brought it in and turned it into the office. There was some money inside, and cards, (idk how much, didn't bother to check). and I could have easily taken it and had my way with things. But I didn't feel right about do shit like that. Bad karma.

The next morning the guy called in asking if we had found his wallet, and they told him I was the one that found it, he called me over and personally thanked me. The look on his face was enough reward for what I did that night.

So, point being. Just try to move on, and don't worry too much about "Jane". She'll get what's coming to her in the end. For ever action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Sorry about your cards, I hope you can bounce back easily.

 

[Georgebobbilly]

This reminds me of when I accidentally left an atm with my card in the machine on the screen "would you like to make another transaction" only 300 bucks got stolen out of my account but still it sucked, one of my supervisor/coworkers heard about it and laughed and said how if he had found it he would have taken it to a gas station and payed for everyone gas.


that's ok though cause when I reported it to the big boss he spent the rest of the day being counseled for dishonesty or some shit.

 

[Eilistrae]

Wow that really does suck. I have no idea how police would investigate something like this, but you would think that they could use video surveillance from those stores since you should know the transaction times from your bank records. Maybe they aren't allowed to do that, I don't know

 

[Tomasello]

I don't really know how intense a police investigation would be for $1,000 but if they reviewed the survalance tapes of the registers at these stores it would be pretty easy to figure out who it was. They usually log to the minute in the stores computer and probably at your bank when a transaction takes place.

I'd be surprised if they put that much effort into it.....

 

[Morcheeba]

Wow that really blows. I had the same thing happen to me. Left my purse out, but under my desk, stepped outside for some 'fresh air' and noticed it was tampered with upon my return.

It doesn't come close to what was taken from you, but having all my cash stolen in a small window and feeling pretty certain I knew who had robbed me w/o the proof to accuse really burned!!

I hope you catch the thief.

 

[Eilistrae]

I don't really know how intense a police investigation would be for $1,000 but if they reviewed the survalance tapes of the registers at these stores it would be pretty easy to figure out who it was. They usually log to the minute in the stores computer and probably at your bank when a transaction takes place.

I'd be surprised if they put that much effort into it.....

Someone maxed my credit card out and took a grand from my checking account, probably would've taken more if we hadn't caught it by that point.

wasn't just a grand

 

[Lyall]

It was enough to constitute a felony in MD.

 

[bigbroon]

It has been said before, but this kind of thing is extremely easy to track down. If you know the stores where the purchases were made (which you do), the store and the police have an obligation to check the CCTV and match it with the log on the store tills (which they can). It's simple, and it's something they will do.

You're not asking for fingerprints to be taken or extensive forensic research; when a shop gets held up, no matter how little is taken, the cops will review the CCTV to catch the perpetrator. Credit Card fraud is a serious problem nowadays, and it's not one the police take lightly. For something that could be solved inside an hour with 2 cops going to the stores and reviewing the CCTV at the exact time of the transaction, I see no reason why they can't fix this problem for you.

Good luck!

 

[Lyall]

It has been said before, but this kind of thing is extremely easy to track down. If you know the stores where the purchases were made (which you do), the store and the police have an obligation to check the CCTV and match it with the log on the store tills (which they can). It's simple, and it's something they will do.

You're not asking for fingerprints to be taken or extensive forensic research; when a shop gets held up, no matter how little is taken, the cops will review the CCTV to catch the perpetrator. Credit Card fraud is a serious problem nowadays, and it's not one the police take lightly. For something that could be solved inside an hour with 2 cops going to the stores and reviewing the CCTV at the exact time of the transaction, I see no reason why they can't fix this problem for you.

Good luck!

Yeah, over Thanksgiving our whole house basically went CSI on the thing and established a motive, intent, the time they could have done it, how we can prove it and how we can catch them. Was fun.

 

[Alberic]

Lyall's pretty good at watching my back ;P But I admit I am worried that the cops won't really try to find out who this is.

I have gotten the money back, which is great, and I finally got my new cards in, which is super-great, but I have a weird vindictive desire which is surprising me. I want them to catch this bastard and make them pay. I'm not usually like that, which is why it's kinda taking me by surprise. (I usually leave the vengeful stuff to Lyall.) Especially if it IS Jane, I want her to get caught and for there to be a trial and for a judge to slam her with jail time or at least probation, and for all of her money to go poof in legal fees and bail, and all of that crap. I wanna look her right in the eyes and smile as she's begging the judge to be lenient, or that she didn't do it, or any of her pathetic excuses.

But eh, that's probably not how the legal system is. Luckily, there was enough money involved that I'm pretty sure whomever it is would have to face some sort of real consequences, but we gotta catch them first. Even without the CCTV in the stores, the floor I work on is under 24-hour video surveillance, so it's entirely possible there's video of the thief taking the cards from my purse.

 

[Linhjah]

Even without the CCTV in the stores, the floor I work on is under 24-hour video surveillance, so it's entirely possible there's video of the thief taking the cards from my purse.

Wow, that's shitty. Glad you got your money back at least.

Have you talked to your HR department about it? They should be able to launch an investigation that has nothing to do with the police investigation, and I would think that theft is grounds for immediate termination.

 

[Alberic]

Wow, that's shitty. Glad you got your money back at least.

Have you talked to your HR department about it? They should be able to launch an investigation that has nothing to do with the police investigation, and I would think that theft is grounds for immediate termination.

I talked to my boss, who spoke to the facilities manager. I'm actually just a temp at the moment, though I've been working here since October and will be there at least through January.

Heard back from the cops today but by the time I got home and called the guy that's in charge of my investigation was gone for the day.... updates soon I hope!

 

[Linhjah]

I talked to my boss, who spoke to the facilities manager. I'm actually just a temp at the moment, though I've been working here since October and will be there at least through January.

Heard back from the cops today but by the time I got home and called the guy that's in charge of my investigation was gone for the day.... updates soon I hope!

Hopefully good updates!!

Regardless of your employment status, most employers have policies against theft of any type. If an employee will steal from you, they are a risk for company and should be eliminated.