I was getting ready for back-to-school shopping with my kids and, before we left, I quickly jumped online to see my account balance so I would know exactly what I could spend, and there it was -- an ATM cash withdrawal at a supermarket in Georgia that left my account in the negative. I quickly called my bank because it had to be a mistake. When I met with my bank, they said this happens every once in a while. They told me that it looks as if someone had skimmed my card. I asked what I needed to do next. I was told that I needed to go to the police station and file fraud charges, close my account, destroy my debit card and fill out papers to state that I did not give permission for someone to use my card -- even though it was still in my wallet. I was told I would have to wait 10 or more business days for the bank to determine if they will credit my account for the charges and fees associated with all of this. I still didn't understand how it happened. After doing a little research, I learned how they accessed my card: Someone, somewhere made an extra swipe of my debit card. It could have been a waiter or a store clerk or anyone I handed my card to for payment.

Instead of just charging my card, the thief made an extra swipe of my debit card into a small hand-held device known as a skimmer, or they attached a card-reading device to the payment machine's keypad that allows them to steal bank card numbers and personal identification codes.

The thieves try to steal your details so they can access your accounts. Don't think it can't happen to you, because it happened to me right in our back yard.

No school shopping for me.

Deni Jo Long,

Sunbury