I've never been a cash person. It's always been my Debit Card. Recently, I picked up an actual Credit Card so I could develop a Credit Score. I basically pay my phone bill and not much else with it... very low limit.
On September 27th, my bank called to inform me my DC was used during the Home Depot compromised security span. They asked me to check my statements and get back to them. I did, noticed nothing suspicious, and CLEARLY declined their offer to cancel my DC and have a new one sent. They called me back later that day to inform me they had cancelled it anyways, against my permission, and were issuing a new one. They claimed 7-10 days. The up side was they only cancelled its ability to be run as a Credit card, and left the Debit line open.
Since then, I've been using it - like I always do - where I can. Places that don't let you enter a PIN, I opted to use my CC. I knew I would approach my limit, but I've been using it sparingly and with the knowledge that my new Debit Card was arriving any day.
Along comes today:
I am buying groceries and attempt to check out. My Debit Card is declined, over and over again. I then try my Credit Card... also declined.
My bank had pulled my Debit abilities, again without my permission, and without informing me ahead of time.
My Credit Card is so close to its limit, that even removing a few items wouldn't have mattered.
So my cards are both D-E-A-D dead. No debit, no credit, can't hit the ATM. I go to work before my bank opens, and come home well after they close: no withdrawals.
Really wish I had listened to all those times my parents told me to keep an "emergency stash" of cash at home.
Guys, don't be me. Regardless of your budget, a series of unfortunate events can and will lock up your funds. Get cash... carry it, stash it, do something. If you don't, you can be like me... waiting for the mail man to drop off your new card - whenever that is - so you can do ANYTHING.
On September 27th, my bank called to inform me my DC was used during the Home Depot compromised security span. They asked me to check my statements and get back to them. I did, noticed nothing suspicious, and CLEARLY declined their offer to cancel my DC and have a new one sent. They called me back later that day to inform me they had cancelled it anyways, against my permission, and were issuing a new one. They claimed 7-10 days. The up side was they only cancelled its ability to be run as a Credit card, and left the Debit line open.
Since then, I've been using it - like I always do - where I can. Places that don't let you enter a PIN, I opted to use my CC. I knew I would approach my limit, but I've been using it sparingly and with the knowledge that my new Debit Card was arriving any day.
Along comes today:
I am buying groceries and attempt to check out. My Debit Card is declined, over and over again. I then try my Credit Card... also declined.
My bank had pulled my Debit abilities, again without my permission, and without informing me ahead of time.
My Credit Card is so close to its limit, that even removing a few items wouldn't have mattered.
So my cards are both D-E-A-D dead. No debit, no credit, can't hit the ATM. I go to work before my bank opens, and come home well after they close: no withdrawals.
Really wish I had listened to all those times my parents told me to keep an "emergency stash" of cash at home.
Guys, don't be me. Regardless of your budget, a series of unfortunate events can and will lock up your funds. Get cash... carry it, stash it, do something. If you don't, you can be like me... waiting for the mail man to drop off your new card - whenever that is - so you can do ANYTHING.
