Credit card fraud happens

Well, I almost went 50 years, but credit card fraud smacked me today.

I was minding my own business running errands most of the day today - to the Toyota dealership for my 25,000-mile maintenance; to the full service car wash that I like on the north side of town; to every TJMaxx, Marshalls and Ross in the area looking for a particular kind of black socks...

...and I ended the day with a quick meal at a Golden Corral so I could read the newspaper.

Fully gorged and insufferably pleased with my accomplishments (except for the socks), I checked the cell phone to see a VM left by Chase. "Fraud Protection Services," the recorded voice said. "Call us right away."

So I did, and after negotiating the menu screens, the friendly fraud guy said, "We noticed a lot of activity on your account today." I agreed - because 3 CC swipes in a day IS heavy activity for me.

But no, the fraud guy said, more like 6 or 7. Huh? We reviewed each one and when he came to "Macy's for $181," I knew something ridiculous had happened today. It became over-the-top when he mentioned I had "spent" $3 at McDonalds. Those who know me know that I go to McDonalds approximately once a decade.

So, quicker than it takes to write this blog, the friendly fraud guy closed the account, ensured that I wouldn't be liable for the $200 or so that "evil fraud jerk" had charged, and I'd get a new card in a few days. No big deal for me; those who know me know I carry cash and use it far more than credit cards.

Of course, it still begs the questions: Was it the Toyota dealership or the car wash that stole my CC number and manufactured a fake card? Should I care, never patronize those places again, tell them anything?

And perhaps the most intriguing question of all: Why did the evil fraud jerks go to Macy's and McDonalds...and not Best Buy or Fry's?