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Stonepounder

(4,033 posts)
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 03:14 AM Dec 2019

What a night for us.

Background:

1. We have lived in the same place for 11 years. We are at the end of a cul-de-sac, know all of our neighbors by sight, and while we aren't bosom buddies we are cordial, wave to each other, and basically know who belongs and who doesn't and sort of watch out for each other. In 11 years I think we have locked the front door about twice.

We have a bit of a large family. Five adult children, all married, something like 13 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. And a couple of girlfriends/boyfriends of the older grandchildren. And we ALL got together tonight to celebrate a belated Christmas.

For reasons I won't go into one of our grandchildren lives with us. He is almost 19, has a very nice girlfriend, and some .... interesting .... friends.

And so to the main event:

The get-together was as wild, noisy, and fun as you can imagine. But we have young dogs a home and don't like leaving them alone for extended periods of time.

We left home about 3:30 pm this afternoon and got home just about 8:00 pm. Me being the geek that I am, I checked my email. Imagine my surprise to discover that in my absence I had spent well over $5000 at Amazon and another $2000 at Best Buy buying 3 Apple Smart Phones at $1200 ea, several computer games, and a couple thousand more on electronic grit cards. And our grandson's room was locked (he never locks his door). And our cell phone was missing, and a few other oddities. We knew it hadn't been our grandson since he was at the get-together. We were the first ones to leave.

The interesting thing is that went we got our grandson's door unlocked hid window was wide open and the screen was missing. The time stamps on the notifications of my wild shopping spree ended abruptly just about the time we got home. After a little freaking out, I started looking more closely at all the items I had ordered. Apparently one of our grandson's 'friends' had come over while we were gone, gotten into my Amazon account via our cell phone and going wild. However, while he was smart enough to get in through our cell phone, he was so damn dumb that he used his own email account to have Amazon send the electronic gift cards and our address as the location to send the new Apple phones.

We got hold of another one of our kids, who kindly came over and brought his phone. We called the cops since we knew exactly who had gone on the spending spree on my dime. They had to laugh when I handed them printed copies of each Amazon order with the perp's name, email, phone number, and our delivery address. Also Amazon had taken one look at what was going on and figured that something wasn't right and had frozen my account and canceled all the orders they could and refunded the gift cards to my account. I was able to get to Best Buy and cancel the order myself. I told the cops (who were very, very nice, pleasant, and helpful) that I absolutely wanted to prosecute. Even though this jerk isn't going to cost me a penny, it is still fraud (big time) and since he took our phone it counts as burglary as well. I talked to them a couple of hours later and they had already tracked our perp down and talked to him. They didn't give me much more information that than, since they have to report it to their boss who has to get with the DA and the DA decides whether to prosecute, but I did make it clear to the cops that I wanted to press charges. So, we will see what happens.

Not the sort of night I was expecting. I'll keep y'all posted.


21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,750 posts)
3. Oh, dear.
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 04:36 AM
Dec 2019

And yes, press charges. The person who did this needs to understand there are consequences.

However, I must say that I'm a bit confused as to how this happened. How exactly did the perpetrator get into your account?

Stonepounder

(4,033 posts)
5. Not sure but we assume either via our cell phone or my computer
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 05:36 AM
Dec 2019

Both my computer and our cell phone have a shortcut to Amazon. Just click on the shortcut and get logged in. Once you have logged in you can order anything you want. We are going to have to go out and get a new phone, since our old one disappeared with the perp. I will make sure it requires a pass code to get into it, we just never thought it would get compromised like this. I guess I will also have to set up my computer with a 'sleep time' that requires a pass code to wake up. <sigh>

Guess that's what happens when you get old. You don't realize that the world has changed and you haven't.

Phentex

(16,330 posts)
19. That seems normal to me...
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 01:13 PM
Dec 2019

I have shortcuts set up, too, which I think is normal...but I don't ever order anything from my phone. And I only added a pass code to my phone when I started working with toddlers who know how to do everything on a phone!

I think it's very sad someone would do this to you. But I am glad they were dumb and it all worked out in the end. I hope they come by your house to personally apologize to you and your family after facing whatever charges they are going to face.

BigmanPigman

(51,432 posts)
4. My credit card company has alerted me
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 05:15 AM
Dec 2019

a few times when a large purchase was made, which is unusual. I didn't know Amazon had a similar policy.

progree

(10,864 posts)
6. I hate Best Buy. I'm sorry, but I hate them like the Good Lord hates sin sin sin sin sin
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 06:06 AM
Dec 2019

Last edited Sun Dec 29, 2019, 01:08 PM - Edit history (1)

12/1/18 - I ordered a Microwave oven from BestBuy.com for in-store pickup (Ridgedale, Minnetonka, MN) late night 12/1/18, they expect it to be in-store 12/7, will notify me by email.

12/7 - I get an email from the csuckers: "Your order has been delayed -- Delayed orders are typically fulfilled within 7 days. However, as soon as your item becomes available, we'll send an e-mail letting you know it's on the way. We will keep your order open and continue to work on getting your item(s) to you until January 06, 2019. If your item(s) are still not available by this date, we'll cancel the item(s) and notify you via e-mail."

Other options given at the bottom of the email. The options vary by product type. Mine was "Make Changes" and "Cancel", but when I hover my mouse over either one, it makes an "X" over it. When I click on "Why Can't I make changes?" It tells me: "We’re working on your order. At this point, we can’t change or cancel it."

WELL FUCK YOU, BEST BUY.

I did hunt down some phone numbers. I checked with some forums and some had called 1-888-BESTBUY (1-888-237-8289 ) and people said they couldn't cancel or had to talk to 3 or 4 people before they could get it cancelled.

I wasn't really in a hurry so I just waited and waited, and sure enough January 6 rolled around and they sent me an email that the order has been cancelled. At that point they finally did one thing right: they did promptly refund the full amount to my Paypal account (but with no thank you for the 5 week interest-free loan from me, and no expression of apology at all, except the word "unfortunately" )

Anyway, I think this is really really rotten. Bestbuy.com said it would be available in 6 days for in-store pickup at the Ridgedale store, so that's why I ordered it. It's just pure bait and switch crap. And then when it wasn't, they send me an email saying I can't cancel the order. WTF!

I know this is off topic and I'm sorry. I'm glad that its turned out for you that there's no permanent damage and not an extreme amount of hassle.

12/29/19 1125 AM ET - EDITED above after response #9 to clarify this was all via BestBuy.com, and I don't think it was any decisions or actions by anybody at the Ridgedale store that was the problem. I doubt they were involved at all, except possibly initially someone might have checked their inventory.

Stonepounder

(4,033 posts)
9. Following your off-topic...
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 07:42 AM
Dec 2019

I absolutely LOVE Best Buy (Florence, KY). My wife is a quilter and you need a big, powerful washer to wash King Size quilts. We bought one at a Best Buy in Kansas City (and paid for the 5 year extended warranty), then moved it and us to Northern KY when I retired. When we hit about 4.5 years it started making grinding noises. So I called Best Buy they send a tech out within a few days. He came out, checked the machine out. It needed some new parts. Unfortunately, the parts were no longer available. He made a couple of phone calls and told us they couldn't replace it, since that model was no longer made, but we should go to the store and pick out a new one. We figured we would be lucky to get a trade in. When we got to the store it took then a little time to dig out the original order, and then gave us a credit for 100% of what we had paid for the original washer! The new model was actually cheaper that the one we had, so with delivery, installation, new hoses, and a 5-year warranty the new washer cost us about $100. I think we did OK. We've had them out once for the new washer (we work our washer hard). They pre-ordered the parts they figured we would need, and the tech came out and fixed it in about an hour.

And that's just one story. I had an issue with my computer, took it in, they got it working, no charge. My wife had a problem with her tablet, rather than have them fix it I asked for a credit to buy an upgraded one, no problem, full 100% credit.

I guess it varies from store to store or area to area.

progree

(10,864 posts)
14. Actually, I think it was all the fault of their online operation, BestBuy.com
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 12:20 PM
Dec 2019

I don't think it really was anybody at the Ridgedale store's fault, that led to all this bullshit. So they didn't have it in stock (and they never said they did) and so it was the corporate online operation people at bestbuy.com, their algorithms, and the way of doing things that figured that MAYBE there was something available within 7 days that could be sent to the Ridgedale store. I certainly don't think it was the Ridgedale people who said I can't cancel the order, I never talked or emailed the Ridgedale people. It was all Bestbuy.com. Anyway, no more Bestbuy.com for me. I'm glad you had better luck at the store level.

I edited my #6 to make it clear that this was all via Bestbuy.com and that I had no direct involvement with the Ridgedale store.

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,280 posts)
16. I've always had very good service from Best Buy.
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 12:36 PM
Dec 2019

They've always been courteous, knowledgeable, delivered stuff on time, set up a complicated TV, delivery people very nice and helpful. It must depend on locations (this was the Richfield, MN store) or online operations.

Stonepounder

(4,033 posts)
11. We will now!
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 07:45 AM
Dec 2019

We rarely take our phone with us anywhere...we grew up in the days of landlines attached to the wall and dialing 0 for Operator for Long Distance. And since it was just the two of us, we didn't worry. When I go get a new phone tomorrow, I will make sure to lock it.

Skittles

(152,967 posts)
21. got it
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 06:45 PM
Dec 2019

yes, it's sad we have to take such precautions

another good step to take is to never save your passwords.....yeah, I know it's a pain but it's good security

Lochloosa

(16,019 posts)
10. Insist on the burglary charge. It's a bigger deal than the fraud.
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 07:43 AM
Dec 2019

Someone could have been home and things could have gone south fast.

Stonepounder

(4,033 posts)
12. I will try and get him for both.
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 07:49 AM
Dec 2019

Burglary and Fraud. The burglary on a 4-5 year old low-end phone ain't much. An attempt to defraud me of over $5K feels bigger, but I'm waiting to hear what going to happen and then I expect to talk to the prosecutor (we've been watching lots of cop shows lately. Just binge watched The Closer followed by Major Crimes so I'm assuming that's sort of the way things work. I want them to go for both!

I seriously doubt he would have tried anything if we had been home.

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
20. If anything he did involved orders/ money crossing state lines
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 03:18 PM
Dec 2019

I believe that involves federal laws about fraud.
Hope you are successful in pressing charges.

Sorry this happened to you, tho I must say I appreciate you sharing your experience, I'm gonna rethink how to protect our equipment.

hunter

(38,264 posts)
15. How would things have "gone south fast?"
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 12:36 PM
Dec 2019

When my children were in high school I was surprised by strangers in my house quite a few times. It's sort of embarrassing when you are standing in front of the refrigerator in your boxer shorts and a tee shirt at two in the morning and a big young man dressed in black walks in on you. But then I always figured if someone our kids brought home had passed our dogs inspection they were probably okay.

I grew up in a house that was like that.

I've never chosen to live in fear, even when I've lived in rougher neighborhoods.





abqtommy

(14,118 posts)
13. Now that's a lot of drama with the regulatory happy/positive ending. But in reading about your
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 11:56 AM
Dec 2019

family I couldn't help but wonder if your cul-de-sac street is named Fertile Crescent...asking for
a friend...

Stonepounder

(4,033 posts)
17. No, it is not Fertile Crescent
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 12:38 PM
Dec 2019

Actually, our little neighborhood is somewhat schizophrenic. It uses the word 'Colonial' in its name, but all the streets are named after Confederate generals. Go figure.

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