Friday, November 21, 2008

Hard Lesson Learned ~ Even for Me!!!

Okay friends, before you read this, please know that I have called myself stupid many times over this recent incident. Well.....I'm not stupid, but this was a STUPID thing that I did!

Like I tell the ladies at the office, I don't change purses very often because I carry too much stuff in one purse to keep changing back and forth. Sadly (but by my own choice), I only own three purses, two black and one brown one. For the last 20 years when I have changed purse to match the outfit I'm wearing, I've ALWAYS left my other one in the car.

Welllllllllllllllllllll, last night changed that!!!!! I was at the mall and lo and behold when I came back out my back window was broken!!!! Yep, some thief broke my window and took my spare purse. I had just changed purses yesterday morning. Unfortunately, I had a little wallet that I failed to throw into the other purse. The little wallet had my debit card, one credit card and my driver's license.

I was freaking out to say the least. I was able to laugh about this today as I was telling my story at the office. And I won't be able to tell it as well here in this post, but I'll try. When I walked up to my van, I only noticed all the glass on the ground and not my broken window at first. I made the comment to myself that I hadn't noticed the glass when I parked and I was only checking my tires to make sure I hadn't gotten myself a flat. Well, as I FINALLY raised my head, I then saw that the glass was from my own back window, DUH!!!

Okay, this was when I started freaking out!!!

I immediately called 911 and then my bank to close both cards. I must say that I was really, really, really upset about this last night. I was more upset with myself as this was a totally stupid thing to even do in the first place. However, after getting over being upset, I was able to look at this as just another example God's grace.

Ready for this? Right beside my spare purse was a very expensive digital camera (Nikon). Apparently, the thief who broke my window and stole my purse was too DUMB to steal our nice camera. Go figure that one out! I was thanking God big time on this!

The first place that the thief went to was a gas station and tried to get gas. Okay, I didn't know this before but now I'm glad to know that our bank really monitors the purchases that are made on our credit card. Anyhow, they tried to get gas at a place we wouldn't normally go to. Apparently when they tried to put it through, the bank immediately called us (we weren't at home to answer, though) to confirm if we were authorizing a suspicious charge. When the bank couldn't reach us, they automatically rejected the charge and sent a message to the gas station stating that credit card was possibly stolen. This is before we ever even called in to report it. How great is that?????? Wait there's more....they went to another gas station and made a purchase using the debit card. Because they were asked for either our pin or zip code, unfortunately they were able to use it. They had our zip code because my license was in there!
Anyhow, by the time I called and closed out both cards, there had only been the one purchase that they got away with. And, by the way, our bank has already put the money back into our account from the debit card. Anyhow, we were informed later that they later tried to make a purchase at Wal-Mart but the debit card was already closed by this time. Wal-mart has the surveillance tape that they will be releasing to the investigator. I hope the the thief was smiling for the camera!!

One last thing, so I was calling 24 hour glass places last night because I so wanted my window repaired immediately (part of my personality). Anyhow, we were looking at $400 to get it replaced. I had arranged with the company to come to my job today to take care of it. I was not even going to bother with the insurance company because I thought I deductible was the norm, at least $500. Well, lo and behold again in this post, I went ahead and called....Ready for this? Our deductible is $200. I had no idea it was that low. My agent who is absolutely wonderful and who has had our business for the last 18 years encouraged me to file a claim. He said it will not affect our standing with them at all because we were rated as exceptional customers. Okay, I really didn't know that they actually rated us, but okay. Sooooooooo, having the window replaced was painless. Well, I wouldn't normally want to spend $200 in this way, but it definitely beats $400.

Okay so all being said, I learned a hard lesson. I will never leave a purse in my car ever again. In fact, I've decided that I will not change purses at all. Just kidding with you ladies who change your purse out daily. lol!

I am able to make light of this now and I still don't like the fact that they now have our address. However, the investigator said that smashing your window and breaking into your car is one thing, but it's not likely that the same thief will break into your home. We're monitored by an alarm company so I have a little more peace about that.

Okay this really is the last thing, but when I was talking to the bank again today, the representative told me something that I have been thinking about all day which is why I am able to make light of this even more. She said that although this is a huge inconvenience for me, they actually had a young lady's mom call in yesterday to report that someone had snatched her daughter's purse from her while she was walking into a store. Sadly, not only did they take her purse, they also took her life.

So again and all being said, this is really minor in comparsion as to what it could have been.

Thank you God!

So sorry for the long post today. I just didn't have it in me last night to post after all my drama!

I've missed you all today and will be visiting you later tonight!

Have a great weekend!

37 comments:

He & Me + 3 said...

Wow...I had a stolen purse story too, but way to long for a comment. But God worked in that situation too. He is always watching out for us.

Stacey said...

Wow I'm glad everything is OK. You have such a good attitude. I've had mine stolen twice and both times were because I just got too comfortable. It makes you feel really violated and vulnerable, doesn't it? Sounds like you handled it all very well.

Lorrie said...

Hi Daphine, Oh.My.Goodness. My heart really goes out to you girl. It feels like such a violation when someone breaks into your car. I'm so glad that your camera was spared and that the thieves really got away with so little compared to what they could have since the accounts were blocked so quickly. I don't blame you for wanting that glass fixed pronto! I'm thankful that you already seem to have such a good perspective on it all. Be extra nice to yourself this weekend!

Anonymous said...

Hi! I think this is the first time I've visited your blog! I am so sorry about your incident, but I am glad you are OK and that so many things went smoothly. Praise the Lord!

Denise said...

Sweetie, I am very sorry this happened to you, but I praise God that you are ok. I love you.

Heather said...

i'm glad you're ok! i'm so sorry that happened to you.

Debra Kaye said...

Daphine,

Praise the Lord you are okay!! I know the purse being stolen was a hard lesson but I am so glad you are ok ... and you still have your camera and your $$ was replaced by the bank.

((hugs)) to you, my dear sister!

Alicia The Snowflake said...

Wow! I feel so bad for the girl's family. That's terrible.

I am glad yours was not that serious. And it sounds like things are working out for you.

BTW, tag, you're it! I have tagged you on my blog! Come check it out and participate when you get a chance.

Have a great weekend, my friend!

Shauna said...

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Melissa said...

reminds me of the time some thiefs broke into our car just to steal the loose change we had in there! The broke two windows and all the took was probably about $2 in change (if that!). It has to do with the time of year. The guy who replaced our windows said that theifs are out "window" shopping to get money for the holidays.

sorry for the inconvenience though of having to call in for your cards, etc and having to get a new drivers license! Glad it wasn't anything more major though!

Angela said...

Wow! glad you are ok.

I don't change my purse that often either. I'm kinda a seasonal purse changer...it's too much of a pain to change it all the time.

Anonymous said...

I am sorry that happened to you. What a terrible thing to go through. I am glad that you are alright and that you were not harmed in any way!

More Than Words said...

Hi Daphne! Ya know, that has to be one of the worst feelings to have (someone stealing from you). I mean, that is just so nervy! I'm just glad you weren't there when it went down because you could have gotten hurt just like the girl you mention at the end of your story. Everything happened so fast, and what a blessing that your bank would even acknowledge a suspicious transaction like that! Especially at a gas station. I mean, how would they not know if you were traveling? Well, overall, it's all God, and He is good. He watches out for His children!!

Oh..and you totally made me think about leaving the purse in the car. I have a really bad habit of leaving it in mine, and it's parked in the driveway all night!!! I'm not doing that again!! So see, you helped a sister out!!!

God bless you!
Alicia

Christian - Modobject@Home said...

So sorry you've been through such an ordeal, but isn't it a blessing to see God's presence and providence through it?!

Darlene said...

I had my purse stolen once out of the trunk of a car. Obviously I was watched throwing it in there and it got stolen. I will never, ever leave a purse in the car again. I am so sorry that happened to you but I am glad your bank was on it so quickly and hopefully the person will be caught. I am so glad they didn't get your camera. I HATE THIEFS!!!!

Kitty Scraps said...

Hi Daphine,
Last year there was similar crime spree in our area, thieves breaking into cars for things they could clearly see thru the windows like cd players, mp3's, cell phones, loose change. It's sad that people feel this is an acceptable alternative to employment as a way to get the things they want. It could have been so much worse for you! Praise God you are safe! What a blessing!

Here's little tip that may be helpful for you. I have my bank account listed with my post office box address which is in a bedroom community that happens to be very close to my physical home address. What happens when I use my debit card at someplaces that ask for a zip code, my zip code for that account doesn't match my license address or my address on my checks. So unless the thief knows my pin number they are not able to figure out my zip code easily! Plus having the post office box allows me to direct some mail away from my home address. Just something to think about that may would add another layer of difficulty to future thieves should this ever happen again. Praise God you are safe!

Anonymous said...

I am so glad all they did was break your window and take your purse. There is so much crime right now, especially surrounding shopping centers. So, your safety is first. All the rest can be repaired. Thank God for His protection! I'm glad all is okay now. And thank you for sharing this. I'm really terrible about testing other people's trustworthyness...so I think I have learned a lesson too. Thank you, my friend!

Tarah said...

OH my goodness. I commonly leave stuff in my car. I think I will be changing that soon.

Glad you are OK and that everything will be fixed.

April said...

Oh, Daphine...I am SO sorry to hear what happened to you!!! What gets into people? It's something I'll never quite understand. Chris has had his car broken into a couple of times, if you can believe that, and they got his wallet and his laptop computer. I guess that was my lesson learned to never leave my purse in my car. I really hope the authorities find the person(s) who did that to you! They need to be brought to justice!!

It really does help you keep things in perspective, though, when you hear a story like what happened to that young woman...it could just as easily have been you. Praise the Good Lord that you are alright!

Unknown said...

Wow sorry this happened! your bank is very good to notice that! Glad you are ok now!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, Daphine! I'm so very, very thankful you're okay! Praise God for that!

Early one morning years ago, while I was sleeping I had my purse stolen from my locked car (where I shouldn't have left it), and they went straight to the gas station with about three different cars to fill up and then to several stores on a wild shopping spree (over $1000). I had the thing with my card where they protect you in case it's stolen. Still, it's an awful experience and makes me mad for the card company, too.

While they got some valuables and some sentimental things (and made for a huge hassle with a new liscense, cards, etc.), the thing that made me the maddest is they took a button which came off a dress that couldn't be matched by going to the fabric store or anywhere. I still haven't found one for it years later! ;-)

Glad you were safe.

XO,

Sheila

The Quintessential Magpie said...

P.S. I was not sleeping in my car, just nearby. ;-)

Christy said...

Wow it's always amazing and truly delightful in the way God is watching over us! He most definitely was watching over you!! It stinks that they stole your purse, but what a blessing that God worked through your bank and the insurance too!

Laurin Pearce said...

Wow. That's terrible. My car was broken into right outside in my grandparents front drive! The person had to stay clear of the front yard where they let their dogs out but he/she was able to break my door, yank out my radio and steal my insurance information out of my car, all in about 15 minutes. I walked inside to check on my grandmother and bring her some things from the store and when I walked back out my automatic door lock wasn't working, there was no beep. As I moved closer to the car I noticed the front passenger door ajar.

I was so upset and it did feel like a violation. I ran back inside, locked the front door and called 911 just in case the person was still lurking. At the time I was only 18 and this was mid day. None of our neighbors saw anything and to this day I don't know who did this.

All and all it was a little over a grand just to fix the door and dash were the thief tore out the radio. I never bought a new radio because at the time they were too expensive.

I ended up getting a new car about a year later.

You are lucky to have only had the purse stolen but it still stinks...very badly that it happened at all. I'm sorry to hear that it did!

Hope that your weekend gets better.

Speaking from the Heart said...

Daphine,

I am glad you were safe from harm.

michele said...

You have a great attitude! I am so glad your camera was not taken...what a violation though.... yikes. But thank God it wasn't worse.

Jennifer said...

Don't beat yourself up too bad...many more have done the same thing. I've been there and done that...with a cashed Christmas bonus in my purse on my parent's driveway and I was a single parent...my only Christmas money. But, like you...my insurance company replaced every single thing in my purse including the cash...all the way down to the fingernail clippers.

Thanks for stopping by today. I'm Not Forgotten is absolutely one of my favorite songs. We are blessed!

MamaHen said...

So glad YOU are okay though.

Lee said...

I'm so sorry that happened to you! But I'm glad that you're safe! Hopefully they catch the guy.

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, Daphine. I am so sorry you had to experience this trauma. I am thankful that your bank and insurance company worked so well with you. I am also thankful that you are having such a positive attitude about this situation.

Jill said...

You are lucky your bank was on the ball! You are very fortunate the only thing you really had to pay for was the window. Of course you'll have to go through sitting at the BMV for a new license.

The same thing happened to my sister in law a few months ago. She also keeps her backup purse in her car and she had gift cards in it from her wedding. She still had wedding gifts in there too and someone broke in.

You always have such a positive attitude about life. You're an inspiration to me!

Edie said...

Oh Daphine I am SO glad you are ok. What an Awesome God story! God went ahead of you and took care of all the details. What an encouragement it is to see that. Thanks for sharing this.

How cool that God protected the camera too!

AndreaLeigh said...

That really stinks and is so stressful, but at least you are safe!

Tracie said...

I went somewhere the other day and because it was a place I felt a little uncomfortable I did not take my purse out of the car. After getting back in I thought "how stupid was that" I figure its more likely to be stolen out of my car than on my side. Yet, wither way it happens all the time... AND its the season for stealing!

Katie said...

Oh my gosh, that is terrible. You have a awesome perspective. This is how I try and look at things though. God is always there for us. Look at all those blessing in the midst of a bad bad day. I'm so glad they did not take your camera, I know how important mine is to me. I'm so glad everything worked out and you were not harmed.

Kim Hancock said...

That is terrible! Curtis is always getting on to me for leaving stuff in the car. Glad thing turned out ok for you...these days you never know!

Anonymous said...

Wow. That's great that your bank was on top of it. When I was reading this I kept hearing my dad's voice saying, "Don't leave your valuables in the car, someone will break in for them." Haha! I guess he's right every now and then!