Cyber crime happens, identity theft happens, hacking happens, cyber trolling & stalking happen!

Our news broadcasted yet another cyber crime situation & a warning to watch cyber scams & online identity theft targeting online accounts.

Today I’m sharing the unpleasant incident I experienced, personally…

So grab your favorite cuppa, treat & comfy spot to join me in a time of tea & reflection my friend.

I have a cup of French Lady Grey tea with a warm slice of buttery date loaf, delicious!

I was enjoying time with a friend when my mobile phone rang, it was an unfamiliar number & as I was busy I let it go to message bank.

But when I checked later there was no message…hmmm!

Then the number called again the following day however I was in the middle of something, so I hoped this time a message would be left.

But hot on its heels came a text message which I checked when I was finally free to do so, it was from my bank asking me to please call them urgently.

So I phoned my bank on the number that I looked up in the phone book rather then the one attached to the text message, just to be safe.

I gave my details when asked & was then transferred to the cyber security department…huh?…Cyber Security Department? What was this all about?

The bank official on the other end, after checking my details with me for the second time, asked me the following strange question,

“Jennifer, are you in Australia at the moment?”

“Yes,” I replied.

She continued,

“Have you been in Australia for the past week?”

“Yes,” I replied.

Then it was my turn to ask what this was all about?

In answer, she explained that my credit card number & details had been used to pay the accommodation & meal costs for two people staying for a few days at a very expensive Hotel in the UK…totaling £3,000!

I was flabbergasted…

I did a quick calculation that meant almost $A5,500 had been added to my credit card account! Gulp!

My credit card details apparently had been stolen without my knowledge & being used to pay for a criminal’s expensive holiday weekend!!

My thoughts were speeding now, hold on I thought, my credit card is still safely in my purse here at home! How can this be?

My next question was, how on earth did they get it?

I am extremely careful using only secure & legitimate online sites for purchases.

I was informed that this happens often & is a cyber hacking theft!

Of course you know my following question,

“Will I have to pay that amount on my account now?”

I waited with abated breath for her to answer, my heart thumping as I had recently had to stop work because of my chronic health conditions.

“No, your credit card is protected with us, we will proceed from here & hand it to the Dept. of Cyber Crime & Federal law enforcement but we will close this account!

We had put a security stop on it as soon as it’s international activity had been flagged, until we had verified with you your whereabouts.

We will issue you with a new credit card,” she explained. Then we said our goodbyes & hung up.

Phew! I was so relieved I wouldn’t have to pay all that money!

But this left me very wary & extremely cautious of my security in cyberspace.

Both in my professional & personal life I have experienced incidents of stalking.

These experiences are extremely unpleasant & very disturbing.

But having my personal credit card details stolen in cyberspace & used was just as disturbing!

“…Be on the alert. Your adversary, the evil one, prowls about like a hungry lion, seeking someone to devour.”

1 Peter 5:8

Until next time,

Jennifer

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

Or in Prayer

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© 2019 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog All Rights Reserved. Photos on Pexels.com

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