My absolute dumbest moment ever today- and I hope it will never be yours
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Today I did just about the dumbest thing one could do….not as a parent, but as an adult. I have been sick about it all afternoon and the only way I think I will feel better about it is if I write it down and put it out there, and hope that no one else that reads this repeats my stupidity (which in all reality, seems extremely possible). But, hey, if you do, I’m there with you.
I was getting ready to make a run to Staples today to drop off 3 trash bags of tax returns for shredding. I put them in white trash bags in our stoop area. (Alert: dumb mistake #1) Then, I moved them to the sidewalk, next to my car, which happened to be in front of my neighbor’s building. (Alert: dumb mistake #2). Then, I ran inside to get my purse, and of course got totally distracted, (Alert: dumb mistakes #3 and #4) as I am wont to do, and 45 minutes later, headed out to my car. (Alert, alert!)
And, guess what?
The bags were missing. MISSING! I was frantic. I ran down the street, popping open every garbage can, rummaging madly in people’s private property (hoping nobody would yell at me) and then got in my car and drove around sure that I might catch the person red-handed. I envisioned what I would do if I saw the &**!&^. I would dial 911 and then tell them that someone had stolen my tax returns. What?! Would the police really rush their tushes out for that call? No, I realized. I would have to tell the 911 operator that someone had a gun and had hidden it inside a white trash bag and I was following them like a good citizen. (I would explain that there were actually 3 trash bags when they got there and um, no gun).
Finally, I gave up, neither spotting the trash bag thief and realizing I had to be somewhere else STAT which meant I had to give up being Angie Dickinson for the moment. (Still, my vision of the greatest female cop on tv).
Here is the only thing I could do in the face of my sheer, assanine stupidity.
I got on the sites for the 3 big credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion and placed security freezes on all my credit reports. Basically, that means that no credit, loan or service can be approved in my name without my consent. Hooray! The downside: the freeze delays a timely approval for any legitimate credit request that I actually want. So what? I would rather be incovenienced then go through identity theft. And, actually, for a mere $5 I can lift the freeze for a couple of weeks to get that credit card I want (or, ahem…maybe not.)
Please tell me that you have done something equally dumb…I will feel so much better.
But, here’s to hoping my stupidity will be someone else’s gain.
Hey Mary Lee
Such great advice. How do you put the fraud alert on your SS#?
I also have a fraud alert on my social security #. Additionally, you can add a statement along the lines of “contact me at (home number) and/or (cell phone number) if an application for credit is being opened in my name”. This requires the store/creditors to only call the phone numbers provided in the statement for verification of your identity. I agree it does hold up your valid attempts for credit but its well worth it.
I agree, don’t beat yourself up. About 5 years ago, I got an email that I won the British lottery. I fell for it. Don’t ask. I shot my social security number across the freaking web to a stranger. One minute later, I felt like a jerk and called the 3 credit bureaus. Nothing happened, but doesn’t my stupidity make you feel better?
Oh Deirdre- thank you! I am feeling so sheepish tonight.
How did you do a fraud alert? Did you have a police report?
Oh, and I have done that “no buckling” thing more times than I can count! (and for many many miles!)
Oh Deirdre- thank you! I am feeling so sheepish tonight.
How did you do a fraud alert? Did you have a police report?
don’t beat yourself up!! how did you know someone would walk down your street and want a bag of paper!! the freeze is the way to go – I had my wallet stolen on my way out of the subway many years ago and if there is a fraud alert on your SS# than no credit card application will be approved unless you can verify it (think my freeze is over by now)
its a fixable problem! my worst ‘recent’ problem was we failed to buckle in kid 2 in his car seat – talk about having a stroke (discovered it about a 1/2 block away from home)