Credit Card Fraud

Admittedly we live in a bassawkward world, where nothing makes any sense.

I made a payment on my credit card this morning, and when I went to use some of the credit a few moments later, as one does ... I learned that the transaction was declined, and I was told to contact my credit card company.

Which felt normal to me ... it's happened before ... but this time ... I was told that my credit card account had been closed that morning.

The person on the phone had no more info for me ... mind you ... I didn't talk to a person until waiting on hold for nearly 90 minutes ... all for this person to tell me that they could connect me with customer service, which they did.

Customer service put me on hold ... for another 40 minutes ... after which I finally hung up.

No text, no email

Just no more account ... and of course, they close the account right after I submit a considerable payment on the account ... And then can issue a refund, maybe ... but the payment already posted ... so it was out of their hands for the time being.

They can't tell me what time the decision was made about my account ... though it honestly seems suspicious that they chose to close the account the day that I chose to make a payment.

Later in the day I called Elan again, to confirm details ... of which there are few.

The decision was a product of risk analysis ... theoretically an AI decided it was best to close my account ... after I made a payment.

This really is what America has come down to ... it's the halloween love child between a ponzi-scheme, a shell game and heist.

Fraud

Thankfully ... well, we'll see I suppose ... I called my bank and had them freeze my account; we're calling this what it is corporate fraud.

So all of my US accounts are frozen; and I've got about $10 in my Colombian account ... with a check for my classes scheduled to drop on April 10th.

But hey, at least I think my USD is safe ... so the account will be opened back up eventually, hopefully I'll still have my money ... and I can continue life as it was before this entertaining incident.

Tomorrow I'm supposed to call Elan again, to see if they can reverse the payment ... which we'll see if the payment actually posted, or if my account-freeze worked.

In theory, well, it's all about power ... the company can choose to return my money to me ... but I really don't think that is likely ... credit card companies don't return payments made my "mistake" ... they'll gut you for all you're worth and send a few extra bills to your friends and family.

Capitalism

It really is a wash at this point ... there are no foundations to the process; it's all fraud built on identity politics.

So finding a way through the mess ... I just keep remembering what Indiana Jones said while walking to find the holy grail ... The penantent man will pass.

I've always kind of known the game was rigged; the only way I win is if I play into the charade of being a grateful groveling brown token ...

That's really what it has always been, and is always supposed to be; but there is a dark-side to playing those types of roles, and Cesar Chavez really blew the lip open on that one.

Because that's what happens when you force people to fight for their basic humanity ... that dehumanization starts to internalize, and it has to go somewhere; if it has no other healthy outlet.

I'm supposed to turn my music, or my poetry ... into a way to make money ... but ... that was never the purpose of those gifts; they were meant to give me life ... not be proof of my humanity or worthiness.

And in this way, capitalism has dehumanized us all ... we need to prove our value in order to be treated with decency ... no there was never any reason for people to live like this, and it was never necessary.

I pray that we learn this sooner than later.

Conclusion

I talked to Fidelity today, my account was successfully frozen; and the funds were transferred to another account, so that no one can remove money without authorization.

They were so helpful and accommodating, and I am so thankful.

I ordered a new debit card, and upon arrival will be able to receive US funds again.

It is only reasonable that machines would be employed to determine when to close certain accounts; the economy is a cat and mouse game, for some money is the cheese, and for others the mice the cheese.

Blessings on blessings, I have friends I am able to rely on to help me get through; I am thankful, and I think that is how I should leave it.

Gracias a Dios, a la Tierra, al Agua y a la Luz.