BY MARIAN NEMETSKY
Yesterday, as I was trying to edit
and delete my 250 emails, my finger
froze in mid-air as it came upon the
scary words: “No reply. Alert, Alert”
It was from a company we have
subscribed to for 10 years because
our Social Security numbers, our
personal identities issued for life,
were stolen. We had just downsized
from our house, moved into a
cooperative apartment building, and
had to change our telephone numbers,
address and driver’s licenses.
Somewhere, somehow, during all
those changes, it happened.
We were aghast at the thought
of two people out there masquerading
as “us.” We quickly filled
out all kinds of fraud forms and
signed up with this company which
offered to lock our credit scores and
monitor all credit card purchases
for a lifetime. For eight years this
worked well. Gradually, we relaxed,
and were able to worry about politics
and the world situation. Until
this company, to whom we had
entrusted our financial lives, was
HACKED.
They assured us, in a style reminiscent
of a comedian who passed away
recently, “We don’t think you were
affected, maybe you were affected,
Mister, it’s not so bad, don’t worry.”
Once the initial shock wore off,
we decided to continue our relationship.
And, now, suddenly, that
email appeared. With dread and a
shaky hand, I clicked on it. It stated,
“There was a balance change to
your account at above the threshold
you set.”
What were they talking about?
What thresholds? Was this a scam?
Visions of those two people parading
around reappeared, only this
time they had already opened our
accounts, bought a yacht, and went
on a vacation where there was no
Covid.
We tried to be calm and followed
the advice given by experts about
scams. “Go to the source.” So,
with much trepidation, we called
the bank who issued the credit card
that was referenced in the email.
“Everything is fine. Your balances
are the same, no one tried to enter
your account. All good. Call the
company and ask them why they
sent it.”
We called the company and a
human answered. Off to a good
start. Nope.
“Yes, we sent out the Alert.”
“Can you tell us why? The bank
said everything was fine.”
“I can’t do that—I don’t have your
file.”
“But you know that it was sent
out by your company?”
“Yes, sorry.”
Before we could protest, we
were sent to a different person in
another department. We explained
the problem.
“We have to verify your identity.
What is your name, the number
of your address, and your Social
Security number?” Guess what?
Hubby failed to verify himself and
the representative hung up.
However, we persevered. The next
day a new agent answered, and we
begged him not to hang up when we
told him our sad tale of woe. Again,
hubby failed to verify his identity,
but then was asked when he began
to subscribe to the company. He
answered correctly and at last we
were able to unlock the mystery.
The alert was for the amount of
the next bill, which we already knew,
and the due date was three weeks
hence. Weird. Much ado about
nothing.
Questions remain. Why couldn’t
hubby be verified, what threshold
were they talking about and why
was this alert sent? Most importantly,
what to do if we get another alert?
Maybe we should just ignore it
and keep worrying about politics
and the world situation!.
ALERT
AT NORTH SHORE TOWERS
FIRST TIME CLIENT
FREE Manicure
&
CURRENT CLIENT
Free Manicure On Your Birthday
Good only Tues. & Wed.
SALON & MED SPA
718-423-8800
718-225-4100
NST CAR SPA
718-279-1314
Auto Detailing - Hand Car Wash
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270-10 Grand Central Parkway
Floral Park, NY 11005
Martin Ragusa Video Technician/Consultant
NORTH SHORE TOWERS
272-59 Grand Central Pkwy. Floral Park, N.Y. 11005
Tel. 516-328-2113 • 718-279-4595
Fax. 718-279-4597 • Email. pmprod@optonline.net
January 2022 ¢ NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER 23
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