Identity Theft: It can happen to you!

So, I get an e-mail notification from Bank of America on Thursday, July 15 at 6 p.m. that says the following.

"Irregular Debit Card Activity"

To: spchrist
Account: PERSONAL CHECKING/SAVINGS ACCOUNT ending in xxxx
Date: 07/15/2010

We detected irregular activity on your Bank of America Debit Card
on 07/15/2010. For your protection, you must verify this
activity before you can continue using your card.

Please visit Online Banking at www.bankofamerica.com to review
your account activity, and then call us immediately at
1.877.833.5617 in the US, International call collect via the
international operator at 602.597.2395. We will review the
activity on your account with you and upon verification, we
will remove any restrictions placed on your account.

Remember: Always look for your SiteKey before you enter your
passcode during Sign in.

Want to confirm this email is from Bank of America? Sign in to
Online Banking and select Alerts History to verify this alert.

Like to get more alerts? Sign in to your Online Banking account
at Bank of America and within the Accounts Overview page select
the Alerts tab."
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Since...I'm getting an e-mail...I thinking @#$%&* someone just stole my identity and did they wipe my account out?

I went to www.bankofamerica.com and signed into my account.

I notice there is a transaction made yesterday July 14 from "THE 24 7 CHOCOLAT ROGERS CITY, OR ON 07/14" for $13. I don't know who this "retailer" is and I have never heard of "Rogers City, Oregon."

I called the Bank of America checkcard fraud line (listed above) and talked to the operator and BOA immediately canceled my debit card. BOA said they would also monitor my account over the next 10 days for any more "irregular activity." I have to go into my local Bank of America branch to order a new debit card. I was then transferred to the Bank of America claims department and I filed a claim against the fraudulent transaction to my account. Bank of America says I will get my $13 back but I said to myself I was lucky. It could have been a lot worse.

Up until today, I had never been a victim of identity theft but it finally caught up with me. I don't use my debit card very often (online or in person). I sometimes buy gas with my debit card (but I've never had an issue) and I usually buy airline tickets with my debit card (but I've never had an issue) and sometimes replenish my E-ZPass with my debit card (but once again I've never had a problem).

I did recently come back from vacation in New Orleans but I didn't use my debit card while on vacation in New Orleans (except at the airport to pay American Airlines' checked baggage fee). I also haven't used a Bank of America ATM since July 9 and the last time I used it before that was June 25. So, I'm baffled on how someone could have stolen my debit card number and made an in-person transaction, according to Bank of America.

But there's a catch and probably the reason Bank of America alerted me. I just googled Rogers City, Oregon and the town DOESN'T EXIST. I also googled "24 7 Chocolat" and nothing comes up. So, this must be a bogus retailer and a bogus town that whoever stole my debit card number uses to make a transaction.

I hope this never happens to you.