A heads-up for online shoppers on CotH.

[Qaza]

I don't usually do these sort of announcements, but if you've got your own credit card and you've bought anything online recently, PLEASE check your bank statements carefully and frequently.

I woke up this morning and checked my e-mail, only to find that I had an overdraft notice. When I checked my account, everything in my checking account, to the penny, had been charged to "DRI*ELEMENT5". This has happened to a lot of other people recently who have purchased things online.

I caught my problem the day it happened, and it was resolved fairly quickly by a call to the bank. But I want to make sure those of you making purchases online are aware of it, too.

Check your bank statement often, and make sure you are running anti-spyware software on your computer often.

I've learned my lesson.

[Jordoom]

I'm notorious among my friends for scanning my bank purchases every time I get a record of them, and trying to remember what exactly I bought.

Thanks for the heads up though, and I encourage everyone to develop an obsession with bank statements.

Besides, it can be fun! I've often looked through mine and saw large sums of money spent at the local pub, and then the memories of that night come flooding back and hilarity ensues!