a brief digression...

My CapitalOne Visa card was declined at Bob Evans, and I had to pay cash. I was mystified. Was the card maxed? Surely not. A week later I learned what had happened: CapitalOne's computers noticed "unusual charging patterns" as I bought gas in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, instead of in Indiana like I usually do. So they shut my account down -- to protect me from credit theft!

They called my home to check if my card had been stolen, but of course I was in New York at that time. (Thus the unusual charging patterns.) Soon after I got back home, the following letter arrived: 

CAPITAL ONE
P.O. BOX 26030 RICHMOND, VA 23260
(804)747-7200

                             JANUARY 9, 1996

 
DEAR B EVERSON
 
WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CONTACT YOU 
BY TELEPHONE CONCERNING YOUR ACCOUNT.  
WE WOULD LIKE TO VERIFY THAT THE ACTIVITY 
ON YOUR ACCOUNT IS YOURS.  

PLEASE CALL US ON OUR TOLL-FREE NUMBER, 
1-800-452-7820.
 
A TEMPORARY HOLD HAS BEEN PLACED ON 
YOUR ACCOUNT UNTIL THIS MATTER IS RESOLVED.
 
YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE TO THIS MATTER 
WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.  IF YOU 
HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN IN CONTACT WITH 
CAPITAL ONE CONCERNING THIS MATTER, 
PLEASE DISREGARD THIS LETTER.
 
SINCERELY,
 
FRAUD MANAGEMENT

Gee, thanks, Mr. Management. Or can I call you Fraud?

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