That was a bit scary!

[OrmRenewed]

Last night I tried to take cash from ATM to pay for DS1's guitar lessons (we can't find any cheque books after the move). ATM wouldn't give me money - said my card hasn't been activated. Amazon refused the same card when I tried to make a payment. Logged into online banking and the account attached to the card wasn't there! It is our joint account with all the money left over from our sale in it. Needed for new furniture and to pay off a loan.

Rang bank and got put through to woman in the 'fraud dept'. She only wanted to check my last few payments to ensure they were legit. Apparently my card use pattern had been similar to that seen in card fraud. I can only assume that it's because I've been spending more for the new house.

I guess it's a good thing they were vigilant.

I wish they'd tell you though before they just deactivate your card.

I know someone who went Christmas shopping and had her card stopped because it was unusual activity. Well of course it is!

I was panicked enough when my credit card was refused recently - THAT would have set me gibbering in the corner! (Mine was just that they'd sent a new card and you only get a bit over 'overlap' iyswim)

I was beginning to feel as I if I had done something wrong. Had I been fraudulently spending my own money after all?

I had a whole palava over the summer holidays - decided to use my credit card to do some stuff while on holiday - and pay it back when my tax credits came in 2 days after I was due home.

Went to use it and tried 3 different pins (I only really have 2 - but rememberd the original that came with it) and it blocked it.

I had to request a new pin. While on the phone to them they asked about a transaction that I'd made about 1 month before hand. Confirmed it was legit and that was that.

Huge palava getting my best friend (who thankfully keeps my spare key for me) to come in and go through my post (about 2 weeks worth by that point in the holiday!) to find the pin and call me with it.

When I got home there was a message on my home phone (they also have my mobile) and a letter from their fraud department querying that one small transaction - it turns out they'd blocked my card - so my pin I used wasn't wrong - the card had been blocked.

'effing great palava it caused