How I Tracked Down an Identity Thief

COMMENTARY | If you think that identity theft cannot affect you, think again. It happened to me, and this is how I overcame it and got my most of the money refunded. If you think you can get away with committing identity theft, also think again. Identity theft is a crime and you will be caught.

I discovered that the balance on my credit card was dropping significantly so I began checking into it on Oct. 16, 2011. I rarely check the balance on that card, because I use it to pay my house payment. Therefore, I know what I can spend and then the rest stays put. I discovered the theft when I went to withdraw my house payment.

I thought that it was someone who had access to the card which was at my home. It seemed like the only logical thing. I questioned my sons, my daughter and my boyfriend.

If you create this crime against a writer, be forewarned your auctions will become public knowledge. James, this one is for you.

A quick online look at the transactions on the card revealed that $99.97 was used to purchase a subscription on the Zoosk dating site on Oct. 15. Three purchases were made on Skype, but since that money has not been returned I cannot mention the specifics. The thief also used my card to purchase flowers for $75.97 on Oct. 11, 2011. It was a few days before I even discovered it.

I talked with a group of freelance writers whose opinions are golden to me on Oct. 17, and most of them suggested this was an online job rather than an inside job as I had thought.

I have since apologized to all of those I accused verbally, except the older son who I called at 3 a.m. demanding money back. He is not speaking to me, and that is very understandable.

I called the credit card company, and got a woman with a heavy accent. I could barely understand her but she told me I had to call the companies myself and get my money back. There was a survey at the end of the call, which I gladly took. You had better believe she got an extremely low rating from me, as she was rude and unhelpful. American companies, do yourself a favor and quit outsourcing foreigners with accents; it makes your company look very bad.

I began by calling FTD, and talked with a very nice woman who was able to refund my money easily. She told me a person named James had sent flowers to someone in California.

I then called Zoosk dating. Their 800 customer service number allows you to leave a voicemail and a rep will call you back within 48 hours. I did not like the idea of leaving a voicemail, but it was the only option. A rep did call back on Oct. 18 and refunded my money. First, though, he had to ask if I knew a James in the UK. I did not, so my money was returned. They have IP maps attached to the accounts so they knew this James was over there. Why they allowed someone in the UK to use a USA credit card is beyond me.

Skype is based in Luxembourg, and gives no phone number. They give an email address to contact them. I emailed them in the afternoon on Oct. 18 here in the USA, so I knew that because of the time difference I would need to wait until someone was in the office over there to return my info.

They returned a very nice form letter on the morning of Oct. 19, and it did tell me how to get the money back. It also gave me the user name associated with the theft. Therefore, James in the UK, this one is for you.

If you are going to use a stolen credit card to rip people off, think again. We Americans do not take kindly to those who rip us off. I am an American woman who is a freelance writer with the power to reach many people.

Another thing you should know: You have caused many problems for me and my son, who is not speaking to me because of your theft. Coming between a momma and her child is a cardinal sin.