You did what?!

Just the other day as I was sitting outside of Starbucks, enjoying our lovely weather,  knitting & sipping a peppermint mocha latte, my phone lit up with an incoming email from PayPal confirming a purchase.    What, I wondered could this be?   I did not remember buying anything via PayPal, but I was not too worried because my youngest son sometimes uses my account for his purchases (always with my prior blessing).   Still it is better to be safe than sorry so I opened the email and just about choked.   It was a confirmation of a $500 payment to a moving company I have never heard of.   "Holy Crap" said I, as I called Hubby.  

He was much less worried than I was.   He said it was probably just a phishing email, that I should not click on any links in it, just go home, check my account balance (which after a $500 purchase would have been    -$495!) and PayPal transactions, and forward the email to PayPal's fraud address.    I did as he suggested.   My checking account balance was low but not negative and the transaction did not show on my PayPal account.   I forwarded the email to spoof@paypal.com and pat myself on the back for not following any of the links.  That should have been the end of it, but it was not.  

PayPal got back to me very quickly, to let me know that this was not a phishing email but a legitimate notification of payment.   WHAT?!    After being transferred here and there, this is what I found out.   Someone used my credit card to make a purchase via PayPal.   They did not do so through my account but as a guest.    Because that credit card is associated with my PayPal account, I was sent a confirmation (thank heavens!).    The fraud rep was wonderful.   She stopped the purchase, fixed it so that, that credit card can never be used with PayPal again, and advised me to call the credit card company to close the card.

While calling the credit card company, Hubby logged in to check the activity on the card.   Sure enough, there was the $500 pending charge, but that was not all.   Apparently someone bought a freaking car with my credit card.   Now here is the thing, that card is still in my wallet.   How does someone buy a car with a credit card that they can not produce and no matching identification?    Again, the fraud rep was lovely, the card is closed, a replacement is on the way, and we are not responsible for any of the fraudulent charges.

Even though we stopped it quickly (thanks to PayPal) and no long term harm was done (To us, someone at that Ford dealership in Pensacola better be in trouble), I am still really upset about the whole thing.  It is all rather creepy.   I have no idea where the number was stolen.  Over the last couple of months the only charges to that card were two Target, two Staples, one to our plumber, Walgreen's and an art class fee.   That means that the theft almost certainly took place locally, at someplace where I shop regularly, and that just makes me want to take a shower.

I Heart Peppermint Mocha Lattes

Like most converts, I have gone off the deep end.   It may have taken me longer to appreciate Starbucks than the rest of the country but now that I have found it, I am enjoying myself immensely.   Coffee monogamy, however, does not seem to be in my make-up.   Pumpkin Spice is just so last month.  My new sinful indulgence is Peppermint Mocha Latte's.   OMG, I am totally hooked on their chocolaty goodness.   The fact that I can get them decaf, non-fat, & very short, only makes them better (If you look at them that way, they are practically health food.).   As you can see, I am so enamored, that I had to embroider my devotion onto this cup cozy (Thank you Wild Olive for inspiring me.).

Sadly, as with the Pumpkin Spice Lattes, two or three a day (T2, T1, & me, my diet does not allow for more than one short one a day) was adding up fast.  So, once again, I experimented until I could create them at home.    This copy cat creation took longer then the last one and is no more or less diabetes friendly than the store bought ones.    However, after a few near misses, and at least two spectacular failures, I think we finally have it.    Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Lisa's Peppermint Mocha Latte

4 oz espresso or extra bold coffee
1 tsp Splenda Sugar Blend
3 Tbsp Starbucks Peppermint Syrup (I tried another brand but did not care for it)
2 Tbsp Ghiradelli Natural Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
8 oz 1% Milk

Prepare coffee & set aside

In sauce pan, combine milk, Splenda Blend, peppermint syrup, cocoa.
Bring to a bubble, stirring often.
Remove from heat & add coffee
Stir & enjoy

NOTES:  For coffee I use either Keurig's Green Mountain Espresso Blend (made on the 4 oz setting), or one packet of Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast prepared as directed (use 4 oz per latte).   Also, I tried another brand of Peppermint Syrup because it came in a sugar-free.   It was vile.   At this time, Starbucks does not carry a sugar free peppermint syrup (I happily use their other s/f syrups).   As written, this drink kills a whopping 299 calories.   I am hoping that Starbucks will expand their selection or that I will happen upon anoher brand that tastes just as good.