"The Daughter of Greed"

"Fraud is the daughter of Greed." JG

"Violation of privacy. Impeding on personal space. Utilization of something you didn't work for. Con artists." When I think of fraud, those are the words that come to my mind. (I apologize for the dread)

Recently we have been targeted (or not...) by some petty thugs. Thank goodness for my investigative skills (I'm pretty sure I should've been an FBI agent! ha)

We always think "this could/would never happen to me." I believe because of my extreme caution/15 experience in the DOD/Cyber Security and let's be honest, my choice of childhood friends (thank you guys <3); I have witnessed and experienced some things - to be lucky enough ki guess lol) - to be one step ahead. ish. ha

I have had people try to utilize my identity, but the company watching my credit, bank, etc. totally had my back (and we all know, so did Jesus)! Unfortunately, for some of my roommates, exes and friends, they did not.

That being said, being all safe and stuff, recently we were not.

We live in a pretty safe neighborhood. (I mean... it's not Compton, but of course we still have some local crack heads trying to get a fix.)

It's been a problem in our neighborhood for the last nine years. And it got me thinking: so many people have no idea HOW to go about protecting themselves and even though there is a plethora of information at our fingertips, they still have no clue.

So... I figured sharing our experience may help.

First off, if you are targeted, you are targeted. There isn't really much you can do at that point except help them get in, and get out! BUT there are some things you can do to protect yourself after an attack:

1. File a police report - this assists in an audit trail, investigations and insurance inquiries (come to find out many in our neighborhood do not do this because its too much work. I get it, but it reinvites the thieves back to your house)
2. Cancel any cards, and notify accounts associated, then dispute charges (can usually do online)
3. Pay the ~10$ a month to have a credit watch - a lot of fraudulent activity happens online as I'm sure most of you know and register with your state re Identy Theft 
4. Contact your bank and find out the phone number and location of the store where the card was used
5. Call those stores and find out facts re the following: date and time of purchase, video surveillance availability, and realize most places don't hold onto surveillance footage for too long
6. Utilize Social Media to assist you in identifying name and location. (People tend to put a lot online without thinking they are being watched.)
7. Spread the word with neighbors, usually you are not the only one (we appreciate privacy, but come on... get to know your neighbors)

Going forward...

1. DON'T post information online regarding leaving town, etc. If you do, ensure it is after the fact and/or your home is safe with a house sitter, alarm or cameras. (Hustlers are a lot smarter nowadays and utilize technology to assist them in their organized crime.) #Pricks
2. Always be aware of your surroundings and the nearest exit 
3. Know that people will give you more information than you think, all you have to do is ask
4. Last and best advice: TRUST YOUR GUT! If it feels shady, it probably is.

Even after all of that and hours on end of follow-up (for a measly ~1000$ jk we all know I'm jobless), July ended just fine - as always. 😉

We spent a lot of time with friends and familia glamping, celebrating birthday's, holy matrimony, freedom, family parties, pool days, camping in the park (only way over it, is through it), parades, rodeos, and finally, jammin' out at Mountain Home Idaho Country Music Festival - growing, loving, and letting go.

After all, moving on is all we can really do, right?

When deep up to my forehead in sh!#, experiences like this always help me realize there is so much more importance in life than stuff.
Even tho that feeling of violation does take sometime to shake (still working on mine). Stuff is just stuff and that's that.
Memories and our loved one's are what really matters. #Feels

August is here and next up is waiting on the news to see if Miah will make the soccer team!

<3