Big Gulp, Fred Meyer and B of A

I gave up Pepsi Cola!....Well, I gave it up for the eleventh or twelfth time in the last year that is.... Until last week when I craved it so much.  So, I stomped into the local 7-11 to get a BIG Gulp.  What goes with a BIG Gulp you ask?  A Jack Link's Beef Jerkey stick! 

I marched up to the counter, placed my two items for purchase down and swiped my debit card in the reader.  Zip Zip! - (We love technology.)  I punched in my secret code with complete care.  You know, I put my hand up around the key pad and secretly punch it in and press enter.  Then I punch a few extra keys to really throw anyone off who is watching.

BEEP!  Invalid Code. - My big fat fingers must have hit the wrong number.  Re-entered.... Another round of additional key pushing for good measure..... BEEP! Invalid Code.  Hmmmm... Let's try it a third time.... Repeat... BEEP!  (This is the instant when panic sets in.  You know the kind..... Your heart pumps from embarrassment and all eyes are on you.  All eyes that belong to the line that is forming behind you of eager citizens who want to pay for their BIG Gulps but can't because you are holding up the line!)

I stomped out to the car and rang up Bank of Americaon my mobile.  - After several agonizing minutes I learn that somehow someone has managed to use my information to buy thousands of dollars of purchases at a retail store about 30 minutes from my house the evening before. Just two days before this my Federal Tax Refund had been deposited as had my monthly payroll.  The account was packed with cash that isn't usually in there. Mmm Hmmmm...... They read me my new balance.  $43.25.  Holy Moly!  All I could think was, "The mortgage is due!  I have an 1/8 of a tank of gas and I might be able to scrounge up $5 in coins if I look under every seat cushion in the sofa and car." -

Oh wait, there are more details.  (Bank of America needs a shout out here.  They cancelled my debit card at once and ordered the money to be returned to my account, which would take up to 48 hours.) - I didn't want to ask where the money comes from.  But, really, where does it come from?- Is it a gift?

After a hair raising evening of time on the phone with the credit bureau, police department and the Fred Meyer Store I learned a few things....
* The police department is too understaffed to send anyone over to Fred Meyer to get the video footage of the person buying what I now know was several thousand dollars of money orders with a copy of my debit card. (Mental Note: Vote for ANY initiative on the voting ballot that puts more money into public service)
* Fred Meyer will only turn over crook footage to the police.  I can't storm in there with a zip drive and demand a copy of it.

So, after two days of paperwork and credit fraud alerts and sleeplessness I am pleased to report that the cash is back in the account and we are good to go!  Looks like i can gas up the car again and go back and pay for my, what must be watered down Pepsi Big GULP!