Chapter 5 - The Card in My Name
I called the number on the back of my corporate card before I called my parents.
The fraud specialist asked whether I recognized the charge.
“No,” I said. “And I have never authorized a wedding expense on this account.”
She froze the card and opened an investigation. Then she asked a question that made me look at the hospital bracelet around my wrist.
“Has anyone else had access to the physical card?”
“My father handled my bag yesterday. Briefly.”
I heard keys clicking. She told me the charge had been entered manually, without the physical card being inserted into a terminal. It was still pending; that did not mean the merchant had done anything wrong, or that the company would automatically get its money back.
Greer called while I was still on the line. When I told her, her answer was immediate.
“Report it to your compliance department. Today. Before someone else does.”
I worked with evidence for a living. But for one ugly minute I considered waiting. An unauthorized company charge could bring an investigation into my own judgment, my access, even my job.
I knew what waiting would look like to an investigator.
So I called my operations manager, disclosed everything, and forwarded the transaction notice. He didn't accuse me. He did say my expense privileges would be suspended while the issuer reviewed it.
“I understand,” I told him.
It hurt more than I'd expected, being the person under review when I'd done nothing but bring a card to a family event.
At 7:12 a.m., my father finally answered.
“Why did you put forty-two thousand dollars on my work card?” I asked.
Silence. Then a sigh.
May you like
“Oh, Merritt. Don't start with numbers this morning. We have a wedding to salvage.”
He hadn't asked which card.
