About 7 years ago, I received a phone call from Tiffany's in New York confirming a purchase. Well, I had heard of the place, was somewhat familiar with the caliber of it's clientele and knew that I was not among them. My first thought was "Aww, he shouldn't have!" However, since there were no special occasions at the time to speak of and the fact that I was informed that the charge was on a credit card which was not that of my significant "he" but one of which that was mine, things seemed a little off. After a call to my credit card company, I had relied that my mysterious double had taken quite a significant joy ride at my expense. I had had better days. Luckily, I caught it in time before the UPS truck arrived for delivery and I was not responsible for the charges.
So here now, the movie of my life fast forwards itself to the present day where I attend Madi's dance recital. The performance was a smash, her proud mom applauds in the audience and can't wait to see her baby girl after the performance to tell her she'll someday be on Broadway if she continues. Before she gets the chance, mom waits outside the auditorium only to find her baby girl in tears. She has lost her phone. There's drama. Lots of drama. Telling her that it will "turn up somewhere" is pointless. After the dressing room had been locked up for the night, the crowd cleared and searching to no avail, the ride home was silent.
The next morning, all was forgotten. Madi was all smiles and apologized as she felt that the drama over the phone had ruined my evening which it did not. Though still hopeful about finding her phone again the following evening during the next performance, there were no worries.
That afternoon, I was ready to enjoy some one on one time with Rebecca at the mall. After lunch for whatever reason, I felt the urge to check my email. Apparently, I had authorized a few purchases on Google Play. I thought about this for a few moments and forgot about it before checking my email again a few moments later. A few purchases had become an entire page of purchase confirmations. I didn't have my glasses on but I could see well enough to recognize that the purchases were not small. It was as though history was repeating itself. I knew that Madi's phone was linked to my Paypal account which was quickly draining and the charges from this crazy thief was headed for the funds in my checking account it was linked to. And I was such a great mood before all this happened.
With menopause on the horizon, I am no stranger to a good sweat. My afternoon of enjoyment with Rebecca had quickly turned to panic where I am shouting on my cell phone words like "Fraud," "Identity Theft," and "Unauthorized purchases" to an automated voice service to Paypal while desperate for a representative in the linens department of a crowded Macy's store.
Meanwhile, back at home, while gazing at the screen of her tablet, she reveled in every successful download and couldn't wait for the upcoming adventures with her new games, apps and music. No harm done. To her it was all free......and so easy! After the funds were restored, Paypal frozen, a confession, a long discussion from dad and an apology to mom, Emma had learned her lesson to not steal her mother's identity.
We still hope to soon find Madi's phone.
