Bank Fraud, fungus and flowers

 OK, bank fraud. I wrote about that. We've lost $1550. The bank's manager figured it out and explained it to me after we made an appointment to see her. The person who phoned saying they were from the bank was not. No one was trying to use my credit card in Vancouver. It was the thief. I should have hung up and phoned the bank myself. Lesson learned. They weren't after my credit card, in hindsight, and how did they get the number of my bank account?

We've new debit cards. Our old accounts are locked down, deposit only. We've a new account and I'll have to change a ton of information. It'll be a long week. I am losing sleep. 

Lesson learned. Well, it's only money. I'm getting email messages from various businesses where my payments have bounced. I email back and tell them the card was compromised. It'll take 4 - 10 days to get a new credit card. I'm still so angry humans can do this to one another for a trivial amount of money to them. 

💰 💸 🤑 💰 💸 🤑 💰 💸 🤑 💰 💸 🤑 💰 💸 🤑 

 After a massive storm rolled through (20mm rain), I am happy to look at the previous days' photos.

Little teeny caterpillars!

The jack-in-the-pulpit is in bloom! The iris, as well, which sits in front of it. 

Solomon's Seal:

I took this photo last week. The sun shining on the fungus.

I went back, and realized that the tree had broken and is leaning on another. I'll have to set it down, as it is dangerous in the winds. I didn't even notice there was a crack in the base. It is totally detached.

This planter is doing well. Butch raccoon wasn't attracted to that one.

Funny thing. I went to look at this planter. The white petunia, on the left, was pulled out and left on its side. I had to replant it. 

I had to tuck in the Angel's Trumpet seedlings, as well. Fresh dirt means a possible food source to squirrels. Raccoons, as well. 

The culprit? Two possibilities. our new hare or Butch! 

Butch raccoon from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Butch May 23 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

The pair of cottontails we had seem to have disappeared. This is a new critter.

hare from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Gay Pride, Noise & Fraud

 Gay Pride flag in Smiths Falls

We drove by May 16th, around 4 p.m. I read in the news:

Smiths Falls police arrest man for hate-motivated mischief, assault after incident at pride flag crosswalk

They arrested the man, who spit on a Smiths Falls employee repainting the flag. The press release says that the employee was approached by a male suspect who proceeded to spit on them while making homophobic comments. 

Saturday night, in the dark.

 

 Sat May 25 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

We've narrowed the noise down to Otty Lake Side Rd.  Someone thinks they saw fireworks. 

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💰Friday, May 24 💳

I could scream. I was out walking in the forest. Happily I had my phone with me. The bank's credit card fraud department phoned me and asked if I'd purchased something in Vancouver, as the IP address did not match my Ontario computer address. They wouldn't allow it to go through until they checked with me. I said I was not shopping there. They cancelled my card. This happened before, and now I'll have to change all my credit card automatic payments to my charities. I'll get a new card on Wednesday, they think.

🏦  Saturday, May 25

I was sent an email telling me that we’d used up our daily withdrawal limit of the chequing account. Almost $1000 in 5 different transactions. I phoned them right away. Both my cards are now frozen. And I may or may not get my money back, after they review the file. 

 How can people do this to one another? 

The fraud department cancelled my debit card. I cannot log into my bank account online. Our banks are closed on weekends here in rural Ontario. Monday I'll get on this. 

I'm to contact: Equifax Canada or TransUnion Canada. Also, Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

What to do if you're a victim of fraud (Canada)

1. Collect your thoughts
2. Contact your financial institutions
3. Contact the police
4. Report the incident
5. Protect yourself from future fraud

It's going to be a long week. Direct deposits, automatic payments, closed accounts all have to be changed. 

This was the calm before the storm.

storm from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Have you been scammed?

UPDATE: April 2nd
After copious emails back and forth. I finally have half of my money back. I have learned my lesson. No more 'free sample' orders.

THIS IS A SCAM!
How silly. I was. The web page said 'free sample'.
I am so angry.

I used to teach Internet Safety courses. I was sucked in. You can Google it, and find any number of complaints, as well as fake reviews on Amazon.com.

 

I DON'T love my hydroderm. It feels like oily crap!

Jan. 31st a screen popped up asking mt to provide answers to a survey on my ISP's service. I like Xplornet, even if they don't know how to spell. In exchange, they said, I could get a free sample of a product. I trust Xplornet. Who knew they could steal their name for a false survey?

I noticed the charge, on Feb. 18th, of $3.61 for postage. Yes, free sample, but you pay the postage and they take your VISA number. I thought little of it.

Until I checked my February VISA online, and noticed a Feb. 18th charge, by this company, of $128.71. Seriously. This vial holds 30ml, about an ounce.

VISA charge

Phoning VISA, the woman was quite helpful. Send an email to support@lovehydroderm.com and state that you want to cancel any and all services.

Yes, a scam 

GOTTA READ THE FINE PRINT!

When I went back to the website, as advised by VISA, there are 'Terms of Use' and I didn't read the entire pop-up, just the first paragraph.

In fact, this webpage refers to British currency. They are doing this all over the world! It was VISA who gave me their phone number, too.

This is what I emailed:

Dear Love Hydroderm,

You sucked me in with the fine print.

You are no longer authorized to charge me on my credit card.

Please cancel any and all services associated with my account, ending in the numbers *XXXX*.

You should be ashamed of yourselves. I hope you tell your mothers and grandmothers what you do for a living.

I have contacted my credit card company, and have advised them.

JJ