I have been violated...

or at least, that's how it FEELS.

This morning, I log into Gmail, and I have a letter from Amanda C. from my banking institution. Since I had just received an email from my bank last week warning of the "phishing" attacks that were running rampant, I immediately questioned the validity of this email. The following is the email I received (I have blanked out information that reveals too much information):

Ruth,
This is in regards to your Visa card account you currently have with MXX Credit Union. We were contacted by our Falcon department that there are authorizations that are pending on your account. It is important that you contact the Visa department to verify if the charges were made by you & if your card is in your possession. The Visa department can be reached Monday-Friday from 8:30-5:00 p.m. at 517-XXX-XXXX or toll free at 1-800-XXX-XXXX ext 2585 however, if we are unable to take your call please leave your name, account number & a phone number of where you may be reached.
Sincerely,
Amanda C.
Visa Specialist

Wary of being "phished", I log onto my banks actual website to verify that the phone numbers provided in the email are the ones that are publicly known. I call my banking institution, and I spoke to the woman that answered the phone. I explain that I had received an email from Amanda C., and wanted to know if she was an employee of the credit union. The customer service rep verified the information, and I was informed that there was a pending charge on my account. My credit union wanted to verify that it was my charge, as it was suspiciously large. She also inquired if I had my Visa check card in my possession.

Since I had just made a purchase at Target last night, I was fairly certain that the card was in my purse. When I inquired about the "suspicious" charges, I was asked if I had made a purchase for $970.00 at a Wal*Mart in North Miami Beach, FL, yesterday. Since I had been nowhere in the vincinity of Florida since 1998, I assured her that it was not my charge.

Thankfully, I am not being held responsible for this charge, or any others that may come in afterwards. Of course, now I am without access to my checking account until I receive my new Visa Check card in the mail in 7-10 days. However, I feel almost as if someone walked into my home and was digging through my underwear drawer. Even though they haven't physically assaulted me, I'm now paranoid that maybe more than just my bank card information was stolen--maybe there's a fake Ruth walking around out there, but without my keen sense of style and significantly fewer shoes and bags... and she's giving me a bad name.