File under things that I don’t normally do but so many people actually DO do: clicked on an Instagram ad and got scammed. Two small amounts – one charge $9.95 and a second charge for $9.85.

I looked at the ad without my glasses on, and I will admit I was tired. But I have been seeing this ad over and over again, and I thought it was legitimate. I never tried Goop products by Gwyneth Paltrow, and I thought essentially what I was looking at was a sample box and I thought well that’s a great way to try the products.

Only when I hit the submit button, after clicking through, I realized that it wasn’t going to the company known as Goop.

As I was frantically looking up the number to call to block the transactions, my bank texted me to let me know that these were suspect charges on my credit card. Next, I replied quickly enough to the first text they sent for the first transaction which I think was $9.85 but I didn’t reply quickly enough to the second text which was $9.95.

By this point, I had my glasses on and I called my credit card company’s fraud department. They acted immediately, but I am without my card probably for a few days. I then spent two hours of my life that I will never get back getting everything done. Part of the problem is you no longer get US customer service for the majority of credit card and bank customer service. And I had very nice people with a VoIP line that wasn’t great and a slight language barrier.

I had to get through a couple of people to get them to understand that I was able to quickly grab a couple of screenshots and I wanted to send it to them so they knew what the fake company was.

Now look, I realize (as my husband also pointed out) that most of the time they don’t really care about any of that because as quickly as these companies are set up and shut down, they are just set up again. But I am a former compliance officer, so I think it’s important to follow through on these things and it’s my money most importantly. Sorry not sorry I am not giving any shekels to scammers if possible. And I found the fake website that while on Instagram was cloaked to look like the Goop website.

And yes, I am going to tell you who the credit card was with. It’s with Wells Fargo. I have had that card forever, since I worked for their predecessor, Wachovia/First Union. They have always had excellent credit card services. And they were great today, but I did have a slight language barrier and the additional issue with their VoIP line not being terrific. I realize the companies are trying to cut costs by having call centers in other countries, but there’s something to be said about being able to converse in a stressful situation with someone who literally speaks your language, and not only your language, but perhaps even your regional dialect.

Now I also sent screenshots and everything to Gwyneth Paltrow‘s company Goop, not that I expect them to respond or give a damn, but I hope they do.

I am not someone who gets taken in by these things, and this one was clever enough and quick enough that it almost got me. So I’m just letting you my readers know about my experience so especially if you see this ad or something similar pop up, you know either to report it or just scroll past.

Have a good evening.