God's timing is impeccable!

(Post taken from http://my-gracebook.blogspot.com/)

This morning I received a phone call from a pupil who had to cancel his driving lesson originally scheduled for 12pm-2pm.  I finished my morning lesson then went home for some lunch and to do some chores etc.  At 1327hrs I received a call from an 0845- number.  I picked it up and was greeted with an automated message from Lloyds TSB Fraud Prevention Team.  The message was saying they detected some unusual activity with my Lloyds TSB Mastercard which were made recently and they needed me to verify these transactions.  The message listed out these three:

1) 13 May 2010 (today) £1119.18 - Made at a Travel Agency / Tour Operator in Israel - 1.26pm UK time

2) 8 May 2010 (last Saturday) £6.04 - Made at Miscellaneous retail store in the US - 11.05am UK time

3) 6 May 2010 (last Thursday) £34.99 - Made in UK online merchant (Play.com)

After these three recent transactions were read out I was presented with two options: Press 1 to confirm I made these transactions.  Press 2 to confirm that one or more of these transactions were not made by myself or Press 3 if I was unsure about any of the mentioned transactions.

I pressed 2 and got through to the operator after a two minute hold.  The operator asked if me I had made any of these transactions.  I advised I only recognised the Play.com purchase.  The other two mentioned I had no knowledge of those activities.  I told her especially the £1119.18 transaction which was made in Israel.  I said there was no way I could have done that if at 1.26pm UK time today I was still hoovering around the house.  So there was no chance.  The operator said I might have made a purchase recently which might have only processed through now at 1.26pm UK time.  I said to her that the activity was for a travel agency tour operator in Israel.  I told her I have no holiday plans at all this year and that it was definitely not me.  She said the transaction was declined so nothing will be done about that.  She also verified the £6.04 transaction from last Saturday.  I advised again I did not make that transaction either.  She will now put a trace on that transaction and find out where and how it was made.

The operator asked me I understood what was happening here.  I told her I understand there was fraud happening and although I sound calm, I am sure it will all sink in later.  Picture this, I was at home minding my own business, doing chores etc when suddenly this kind of phone call brings this sort of news!  It was a bit alarming, aye.  The operator told me she had blocked the Mastercard now and will arrange for a replacment one to be sent out.  Any monies removed from my account as a case of fraud will be reimbursed into the account.  The PIN will not be changed as that was not compromised, the card details must have been cloned from elsewhere.

After I hung up I went to tell my sister about it as she got home from being out.  I still have the piece of paper which I used to jot down the details of the transactions hence I could be so accurate.  But man, this is definitely scary thing.  My household has been so cafeful with our confidential letters and documents and we shred everything we do not want.  So it cannot be ID fraud by people searching in the bins etc.  It could only be information cloned from a non-secure website when I was using it to make purchases with the card.

Once the initial shock passed I reminded myself of God's way of working.  His ways are well and truly beyond our comprehension.  There I was a bit disappointed with my lesson cancellation, but that meant I was at home to receive the all-important call.  If I were working I'd certainly miss the call and there might still be  illegal transactions happening as I type this.  But no.  By God's grace and mercy the card is now redundant and I will get a new one.  Will have to be careful of how I use this one.  I thank God so much for His protection.

Guys be careful with how and where you use your credit or debit cards, especially for online purchases.  Make sure the website is a secure site (you can tell if web address begins with https://)