What happened
Sep. 10th, 2008 04:34 pmJust got mugged. Can't think straight, can't eat my breakfast (got a late start).
I was about 20 yards from home. I could see my backyard. Corner of Ballinger St. and Donna Ave. I had my iPod on (stupid, stupid, stupid!) listening to some Utada Hikaru. I was thinking of scenes for WDKY. I was thinking, if I were a superhero, I'd want all the awesome powers, not just one. I was thinking how it was a nice day out-- sunny but not too hot, nice breeze. I was thinking it'd be nice to take my bagel and iced tea and curl up in the rec room and watch some Ceres: Celestial Legend.
Someone tugged on my Dooney and Burke (I saved up for that purse! It was my anniversary present to myself...) purse (which I never take out; I usually take my now-crappy sparkly change purse with just one card and an ID in it; why did I choose today to take my purse AND my wallet, with all my cards in it?). I thought for a second, it was a "friend" surprising me. Someone saying "Hi Mer, so glad to have you back in the neighborhood."
The moment I turned, the guy started running. I dropped my bagel and iced tea, tore out of my flip flops, started running after theguy motherfucker. He had a fucking accomplice parked in a dark silver SUV on the corner of Donna. I heard someone in the car say "Come on man, let's go" before the door slammed and they gunned it north down the street.
I only remember the first four number/letters or so of the license plate: 5LJP or something like that. It was a new-looking SUV with a silver icon-- Honda, Toyota, Lexus, something, I can't remember. (I know it wasn't a Scion. I know it wasn't a SAAB or a BMW, with a colored icon. But it still doesn't help.)
The guy was Hispanic, wore a gray baseball cap with no logo, cargo shorts (I think they were light khaki), and a blue or gray t-shirt. I called the cops immediately. I talked to a few other "witnesses" (guys from AT&T that heard me scream bloody murder-- can't fight back, can't run, but I'll be damned if I can't scream louder than anyone on the fucking planet. I probably woke the dead) and then trudged back to my soggy bagel and broken iced tea bottle.
Got home, cried my eyes out. Called the credit card company, my bank, my mom, Kaiser. Trying to remember any other cards. But there was only $15 in cash in there, and with the two credit cards blocked, I doubt these guys will find anything worthwhile. They might try and sell the purse, but who gives a fuck about D&B anymore? I don't know why I ever cared so much about that P.O.S. I'll just get an ugly Buxton bag.
Never going to listen to my iPod while out again. Never going to carry a purse worth more than $20. Always going to know just what's in my purse and wallet. No more mystery cards... "did I have this?" and "did I have that?" I still don't remember everything. Shock is a funny thing. All the stuff you think you can do, suddenly you can't. It happens too fast. (No one's told me my lips look white. But I feel... hollow inside, but also like if I have anything inside, I'm going to throw it up. It's a wonder I'm as coherent as I am.)
I still feel stupid. But I'm okay. Could have been worse. I'm okay.
I wish I knew kung-fu.
ETA: Haven't heard back from the police detectives, so I'll give them a buzz tomorrow. Question for anyone reading this (and no, Capital One has no taken over my brain): "What's in your wallet?" No, really. I'm trying to remember what I may have lost, if there's anything critical in there that I *should* be worried about that I may have forgotten or missed. My SSN wasn't in there, and everything else vital (credit cards, debit cards, IDs) I'm already on the way to replacing. I should be going to CSUN tomorrow anyway to get a new ID there. But can you guys think of anything else that I might have lost, critical or otherwise? What kinds of cards do you have in your wallet?
My list so far of cards lost and hopefully replaceable, some of which have already been processed:
* DSW Membership Card (getting a new one once their "system" is back online)
* Borders Rewards
* myISIC Student card
* CSUN Student ID
* Student Advantage card
* CA ID
* WaMu Debit Card
* Macy*s Visa (I JUST FUCKING ACTIVATED THAT TODAY YOU RAT BASTARDS)
* Apple ProCare card (would you believe Apple's customer support had no idea what this was?)
* Library card
* Kaiser card
* Southwest Airlines card (printed a new one; now to laminate it or something. Hey, I could always stick it in an old Yu-Gi-Oh! card sheath, yeah?)
* JCPenney Salon Loyalty card (I was so bloody close to getting my discount! But my stylist there likes me, and maybe they can "look up my account" or something and punch in 6 holes on a new card because I'm cute and sweet -literally on that last one!- and honest)
* ???
I was about 20 yards from home. I could see my backyard. Corner of Ballinger St. and Donna Ave. I had my iPod on (stupid, stupid, stupid!) listening to some Utada Hikaru. I was thinking of scenes for WDKY. I was thinking, if I were a superhero, I'd want all the awesome powers, not just one. I was thinking how it was a nice day out-- sunny but not too hot, nice breeze. I was thinking it'd be nice to take my bagel and iced tea and curl up in the rec room and watch some Ceres: Celestial Legend.
Someone tugged on my Dooney and Burke (I saved up for that purse! It was my anniversary present to myself...) purse (which I never take out; I usually take my now-crappy sparkly change purse with just one card and an ID in it; why did I choose today to take my purse AND my wallet, with all my cards in it?). I thought for a second, it was a "friend" surprising me. Someone saying "Hi Mer, so glad to have you back in the neighborhood."
The moment I turned, the guy started running. I dropped my bagel and iced tea, tore out of my flip flops, started running after the
I only remember the first four number/letters or so of the license plate: 5LJP or something like that. It was a new-looking SUV with a silver icon-- Honda, Toyota, Lexus, something, I can't remember. (I know it wasn't a Scion. I know it wasn't a SAAB or a BMW, with a colored icon. But it still doesn't help.)
The guy was Hispanic, wore a gray baseball cap with no logo, cargo shorts (I think they were light khaki), and a blue or gray t-shirt. I called the cops immediately. I talked to a few other "witnesses" (guys from AT&T that heard me scream bloody murder-- can't fight back, can't run, but I'll be damned if I can't scream louder than anyone on the fucking planet. I probably woke the dead) and then trudged back to my soggy bagel and broken iced tea bottle.
Got home, cried my eyes out. Called the credit card company, my bank, my mom, Kaiser. Trying to remember any other cards. But there was only $15 in cash in there, and with the two credit cards blocked, I doubt these guys will find anything worthwhile. They might try and sell the purse, but who gives a fuck about D&B anymore? I don't know why I ever cared so much about that P.O.S. I'll just get an ugly Buxton bag.
Never going to listen to my iPod while out again. Never going to carry a purse worth more than $20. Always going to know just what's in my purse and wallet. No more mystery cards... "did I have this?" and "did I have that?" I still don't remember everything. Shock is a funny thing. All the stuff you think you can do, suddenly you can't. It happens too fast. (No one's told me my lips look white. But I feel... hollow inside, but also like if I have anything inside, I'm going to throw it up. It's a wonder I'm as coherent as I am.)
I still feel stupid. But I'm okay. Could have been worse. I'm okay.
I wish I knew kung-fu.
ETA: Haven't heard back from the police detectives, so I'll give them a buzz tomorrow. Question for anyone reading this (and no, Capital One has no taken over my brain): "What's in your wallet?" No, really. I'm trying to remember what I may have lost, if there's anything critical in there that I *should* be worried about that I may have forgotten or missed. My SSN wasn't in there, and everything else vital (credit cards, debit cards, IDs) I'm already on the way to replacing. I should be going to CSUN tomorrow anyway to get a new ID there. But can you guys think of anything else that I might have lost, critical or otherwise? What kinds of cards do you have in your wallet?
My list so far of cards lost and hopefully replaceable, some of which have already been processed:
* DSW Membership Card (getting a new one once their "system" is back online)
* Borders Rewards
* myISIC Student card
* CSUN Student ID
* Student Advantage card
* CA ID
* WaMu Debit Card
* Macy*s Visa (I JUST FUCKING ACTIVATED THAT TODAY YOU RAT BASTARDS)
* Apple ProCare card (would you believe Apple's customer support had no idea what this was?)
* Library card
* Kaiser card
* Southwest Airlines card (printed a new one; now to laminate it or something. Hey, I could always stick it in an old Yu-Gi-Oh! card sheath, yeah?)
* JCPenney Salon Loyalty card (I was so bloody close to getting my discount! But my stylist there likes me, and maybe they can "look up my account" or something and punch in 6 holes on a new card because I'm cute and sweet -literally on that last one!- and honest)
* ???
no subject
Date: 2008-09-10 11:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-11 12:14 am (UTC)Should carry an airsoft gun or something next time to shoot those emeffers down.
REALLY sorry to hear- hope you'll be ok!!!
no subject
Date: 2008-09-11 12:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-11 12:30 am (UTC)At least you're okay; and that is the most important thing. But I sincerely hope that those creeps get caught.
**hugs again**
no subject
Date: 2008-09-11 02:05 am (UTC)I'm sorry that those assholes did that to you, hon-- and I'm also glad that you're okay as well and weren't hurt.
I hope they catch the asses that did that.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-11 02:21 am (UTC)Good luck with everything u-u hope something wonderful happens soon to cheer you up!
no subject
Date: 2008-09-11 02:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-11 03:59 am (UTC)Besides, if you were really so stupid, would you have called and canceled your credit cards? Or come home and recorded everything you remembered of the event? I think you did pretty well, considering the circumstances.
Glad you're OK. Hope they catch those guys quickly.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-11 08:01 am (UTC)Good Lord! How absolutely terrifying! Are you okay?
For what it's worth, in my wallet:
#1 and most important -- driver's license. Even if you don't drive, did you have a state issued ID in there?
A whole mess of store cards, most of which are on my keychain as well -- Borders, Shopko, Safeway, Sally's Beauty, Hancock Fabrics, Best Buy, Hallmark... None of them important, but....
Credit cards, Bank cards, but also little laminated cards that have my bank account numbers on them.
Health Insurance cards.
Food stamp card. (Yeah, we the broke and downright destitute out here -- actually we used to be the working poor, now I'm been stuck on disability...)
2nd copy of car insurance card and AAA card.
membership cards for various clubs.
voter registration card.
library card.
Blockbuster and other video store rental cards.
punch cards from various businesses (those buy 10, get 1 free thingies).
appointment cards for upcoming appointments.
various weird little notes to myself and the picture my mom drew me 25 years ago of a person slaying a dragon. (I'd really hate to lose that, it has a lot of sentimental value! But no one else would care about it...)
Obviously some of this stuff is far more important than other of it -- but hopefully this will help as a tickler list...
no subject
Date: 2008-09-11 06:56 pm (UTC)I have also learned the hard way with issues like this. I was on the 38 and these guys were giving me shit when I was listening to my ipod. I moved to the front of the bus and started talking to this guy up there and thank god I did that...those two "thugs" had a gun on them. Nothing happened but it's a scary thought nonetheless.
In terms of what I have in my wallet, I try to keep it simple...I usually keep some cash, my crappiest credit card with the lowest limit, and I tend to usually have my school ID and my regular ID/license and that's it. I lost a bunch of awesome cards when my wallet got stolen but I try to keep those at home until i KNOW i'm going to use them.
HOpe you're feeling better...you know I"m here if you need to talk *hugs*
no subject
Date: 2008-09-11 08:53 pm (UTC)For you --> http://obabscribbler.livejournal.com/415946.html
no subject
Date: 2008-09-11 08:56 pm (UTC)My wallet:
Driver's License
Student IDs
Medical Insurance Card
California State Health Access Card (If you've ever gotten birth control from a place like Planned Parenthood, they give you one of these)
Credit Card
Debit Card
AAA Card
CPR Certification
Frequent Buyer Cards for a few stores
Gift Certificate Cards for a few stores
My own business cards
Other people's business cards
Cash, although rarely over $100
no subject
Date: 2008-09-12 03:41 am (UTC)also, did you have any credit statements? or personal mail that will reveal more information? call the DMV to let them know that someone stole your ID so they can change the ID number (to prevent even further possible ID theft). Call Kaiser just in case and confirm who the point of contact is for that card so that only you are able to make any changes, w/e.
that's all that I can think of on top of what you did, but also browse consumerist.com for more advice.
luv ya hon. hope you feel better and that karma gets those two in the assk.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-12 04:08 am (UTC)Already did the fraud alert and called Kaiser; they're supposed to send a new card to my mom, so there's no way anything funky can happen there.
*hugz*
Date: 2008-09-25 05:38 am (UTC)I think what you're did to handle the situation was totally awesome though. I know if it were me, I wouldn't know what to do about the keys at all.
Oh yea, and for both your CA ID and your Kaiser cards, if you have old copies of them you can just temporarily use the numbers off the old cards. I know for sure that those numbers never change no matter how many cards you're issued or whatever type of insurance you have. Hope that helps and see you soon!