Take care with credit info during the holidays

I had planned to write my column this week about last Saturday's parade, and in particular, First Choice Pregnancy Center's "Run for Their Life" 5K, which preceded Saturday evening's festivities.

I wanted to let you all know that I about died while running that 5K, despite having run in several 5ks in the past. It was evident that my SAD (seasonal affective disorder) condition -- and therefore my slacking off at the gym -- had indeed caught up with me, because I felt like I had never run a mile before in my entire life.

The cold weather and the hills could have played a factor, too, I suppose.

Excuses, excuses ... I'll let T-G editor John Philleo give you more of those tomorrow, as I can assure you, his "gut check" column will give you a more detailed account of the challenging race.

On to more serious matters.

Last Sunday, the morning after the race, Jack and I were relaxing at home when Jack decided he needed to make an online banking transaction. So I continued watching E! News while Jack got online.

The next thing you know, Jack asked me if I made a $300 purchase to Dish Network on Dec. 4. Of course, I hadn't, so we called Dish Network and learned that no purchase, under our account, had been made at Dish Network for $300.

Next, we called the bank and learned that the transaction had been made with my card! Someone had used my card to make a $300 Dish Network payment or purchase under their account.

I use my check card for almost everything, and, admittedly, I'm not the best at analyzing my online bank statement on a regular basis to make sure all transactions are legit. But if Sunday's events weren't a wake-up call, I don't know what is. I am just so thankful that Jack is more diligent with this kind of stuff, because if he hadn't checked the account, we may have never realized the fraud had occurred.

I should know better.

The $300 Dish Network charge is not the first time Jack and I have been victims of check card fraud.

A few years ago, Jack and I had friends visiting us from out of town and decided to take them to Nashville for a night. I remember it being very cold, and so after dinner we took a taxi back to the hotel instead of walking.

Upon waking the next morning, I realized I did not have my check card with me. I hadn't paid for anything with it the night before, but knew that it had been in my purse. I figured that the card must have fallen out at some point, most likely in the taxi.

I didn't think much of it ... I figured I'd call the bank and have the card canceled and that would be the end of the story. Upon calling the bank, however, I learned that two -- yes two -- $400-plus purchases had been made very, very early in the morning at a Wal-Mart in Nashville -- a Wal-Mart in which I had never stepped foot in my entire life.

I also learned that a $30 purchase had been made, prior to the Wal-Mart charges, at a gas station. So basically, whomever found or stole my card, went to the gas station to ensure the card was working (check cards used as credit cards do not require a PIN) prior to going to Wal-Mart. Because they didn't know my account balance, the perpetrator broke the Wal-Mart shopping spree into two trips -- and got lucky both times.

In both cases, my bank handled the check card fraud extremely well. My account was credited with the amount stolen, my card was canceled, and a fraud investigation was opened.

But unlike real credit cards, banks are not required to credit your account when you've been victimized by check card fraud. Each bank is different.

While it was pretty easy to figure out what had happened the first time, I am still dumbfounded when it comes to the most recent fraud with Dish Network. Not only do I wonder who would choose to spend $300 on Dish Network (if someone steals money, wouldn't they be desperate for things other than satellite service?), but I also wonder how this person got access to all of my card information.

My card was never stolen, so obviously someone had to write down my card number, expiration date, three-digit code on the back of my card, etc. to make the purchase. Because I have used my card online before, I suppose someone could have hacked into my information online, but that's less likely.

So why do I write my column about all this?

I write this to urge everyone reading this to be extremely careful this holiday season, and always. Remember, whenever you use your card online, pay for dinner, or buy a gift with your check card, someone else has access to your card information, and therefore, your money!

During the likely tough economic times to come, I suspect people will become even more desperate for money.

Be careful with your purchases -- use cash if you have to -- and keep your eyes open! And at the very least, check your bank statement every single day to ensure what happened to me hasn't happened to you!

-- Sadie Fowler is a staff writer for the Times-Gazette. She can be reached at (931) 684-1200, ext. 214, or by e-mail at sfowler@t-g.com. This column is scheduled to print every Thursday.