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3rd Trimester
Trying not to break down...*updated*
*I updated in one of my responses below*
DH is off today, so this morning we were trying to get the bills squared away so we could just relax the rest of the day. Well, when we opened the power bill it said we were due to be disconnected today. This is our first bill at our new house, so we thought there was a mistake. We called and they gave us the run-around and said that it was due on Oct 5th and we have to pay it today or it will be cut off and we'll have to pay a reconnect fee.
So we got off the phone with them and went to check DH's account to make sure we had enough to cover the bill. Well, his online login wasn't working, because it kept saying the password wasn't right...long story short, he was locked out of viewing his account online. So we just called. (He has compass by the way)
Well, I knew something was wrong when his face went pale white and he dropped the phone. The account is -$2000. So this means that someone hacked his account and charged over $3000 in DH's name. We had right around $1000 in his account. Now we have $40 to our name. (My account) We don't understand how they would let the charges get to over $2000. DH doesn't even make that much in a month.
We are devastated. We called the power company back and they said that the collection/disconnect guy wouldn't be out until 8am tomorrow because they are backed up. So tonight we have to figure out how to get $300 so we will have power. (We're more than likely going to have to ask my parents to lend us the money.) If we can't get it, no power for us.
I just don't know what to do or think. I'm trying not to stress out too much about it because I'm being monitored for my blood pressure, but in this situation how do you not freak out?
I'm just sitting here balling my eyes out, while trying to be strong for DH because he is really upset by all of this too. (He just recently got his credit cleaned up and re-established.) I know he wanted to break down and cry when he got off the phone, but he was trying to hold it together for me.
He is at the bank right now trying to figure out what happened, and how to go about fixing it.
I was hoping that maybe some of you ladies had some advice to help us get through this difficult time. Thank you for listening.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Trying not to break down...*updated*
Me: 37
DH: 36
Married: 08-25-07
DS: 11-20-09
Name change alert: Formerly Lisswastaken
I am so sorry you are going through this! BEG the power company and explain all that happened and hopefully they will give you a break. My purse was stolen about a month ago and I am STILL reeling from the effects of it. (lost cash, camera, credit cards, ultrasound pics, everything - my life was in that purse!)
Hope all will get better for you guys soon
Contact local churches in your area. Many have emergency programs to help with bills, etc.
The bank should credit the money back within a day if it was fraud, so you'll most likely have it tomorrow.
Thank you ladies for your concern.
I'm not extremely worried about the power bill because I called my dad as soon as we found out the money was stolen this morning, and he is usually really good about lending us money. I'm just upset about the account being hacked into in the first place.
I just got off the phone with DH and he said the bank said all of the charges were from Walmart.com. The lady told him that since it is such a big retailer that there is a good chance of them finding who charged the account ( IP search and all) So they froze the account so no money will go in or out, and if a charge is made it will be red flagged and investigated. We have only made one online purchase at walmart this year, it just sucks that one time is all it takes for someone to steal everything.
The bank said all of the online charges will be looked into and if it is determined they are fraud, all of the money and overdraft fees will be returned and the account will be zeroed out. Then we'll have to open a new accout etc. I'm just so paranoid now, because we pay almost all of our bills online. The whole situation just sucks.
Me, my DH, my Dad and so many other people I know have had our accts hacked into at some point--it sucks!. PP is right that you will get your charges back via the bank, but you should also look into purchasing a service such as Lifelock if you can afford to ($20/mo). This way, if the bank doesn't cover you, Lifelock will cover you. They will also call you if ever an account is set up in your name (even if it is you who sets it up) or if a lot of money is coming out of your accounts.
You can also set up email alerts from your bank. If you account level goes below a certain $ amount, they'll email you. It doesn't stop the hacking, but it lets you know its going on.
Good luck!! T&Ps to you.
We had this happen three weeks before we moved to Colorado. Somehow someone got my debit card number and pin (I blame Paypal....) and withdrew ALL of our money from an ATM in California. The bank yelled at me for not reporting my debit card stolen, when in reality it was tucked safely away in my wallet. It's such a PITA, no matter when it happens, but in the midst of moving or starting your family it's an even bigger pain. I hope everything gets cleared up, sounds like the bank is really helping get things straightened out. When we got our new accounts set up, we changed our ATM settings to like $20 per day max so that it can't happen to us again... it's frustrating, angering and an invasion to know that somehow, someone out there has your information.
I hope that you get things cleared up quickly and get everything straightened out....best wishes
keep your chin up 
Thank you ladies. We really do appreciate all the support and concern you provide.
Oh, and we found out what they bought, it was a full entertainment system complete with a 40in HD tv, PS3, surround system, games, and other smaller misc items. Ugh! It is so infuriating to know they spent our money on entertainment sh!t. Oh well, I just hope they know karma is a b!tch.