Interesting PR lessons can be learned when someone steals your credit card number.
Besides myself and my wife, the primary stakeholders in this event are the credit card company, two vendors, two hotel chains, a local police department, and those who tried to scam me.
Here’s the timeline of this story and the role each of these stakeholders played…
Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025: Somebody was so kind as to order 17 packages of black “Men’s Nike 6-pack Everyday Plus Cushion Crew Training Socks” from Kohl’s online for me. That’s 102 pairs of socks.
Well, there were a few problems with this order.
First: They used my credit card without first asking me.
Second: They shipped it to a Holiday Inn on the opposite side of Johnson City from where I live.
(At least they could have shipped it to a closer hotel.)
Third: I can’t fit that many socks in my sock drawer.
In fact, not even in my entire dresser.
Total price with shipping and tax: $412.76
Plus, due to the amount of the purchase, they received $70 in Kohl’s Cash.
This person also ordered a pink iPad for $382.16 and had it shipped to the local Hampton Inn, a little closer to my home.
I can’t say I’ve ever longed for a pink iPad. Maybe purple, but not pink.
Since we have alerts sent to our phone every time a purchase is made on our credit card, we immediately knew our card had been compromised. We promptly canceled the card and disputed these charges.
Friday, Aug. 22: I called Apple and Kohl’s to discuss these charges and see if they could stop their shipment. I later learned Apple was successful in stopping the shipment. Kohl’s wasn’t. But Kohl’s did cancel my reward of $70 in Kohl’s Cash.
This culprit also had my personal email address. Thank goodness for that because I received shipping alerts and could track where and when deliveries would be made.
I also filed a police report.
Sunday, Aug. 24: After church, I thought it would be a good idea to pay a visit to these two hotels and let them know what happened.
First stop: Holiday Inn. That’s where I met Brunner, a young lady from Brazil who was working the front desk. She was very kind. I explained to her how my credit card number had been stolen and one of the items purchased was going to be shipped to her hotel tomorrow because the vendor was unable to stop the shipment.
Then I headed over to the Hampton Inn where the other shipment was being sent. Met 20-year-old Andrea there, who was also super helpful. I said Apple was likely successful in stopping the shipment, but to be on the lookout just in case.
Both hotel employees took my name and number and told me they would call if the shipment arrived.
Now, here’s the important question I asked both of these hotel employees: “When somebody comes to pick up a package, do you ask for an ID?” Both assured me they always ask for an ID.
Well that’s good, I thought. At least whoever’s planning to pick up the package won’t be able to. Or will they?
Monday, Aug. 25: About 2 p.m. ET I received a notification that the package of Nike socks worth $412 had been delivered to the Holiday Inn.
What did I do next? What unbelievable decision was made by the hotel employee I visited? How did a $15.9 billion company thank me for my efforts in rescuing a portion of their inventory?
Stay tuned for Part 2 next week (where I also learn I have a 2nd “wife” out there, somewhere)…
The 3 Big Takeaways
- Have credit card transaction text message alerts set up.
- Hotels should ALWAYS ask for ID for those picking up packages.
- If customers go out of their way to prevent inventory loss, reward them fairly.
Have you been scammed? How do you feel you were treated by all the parties (stakeholders) involved? Do share!
Stay authentic!
Jeffery E. Pizzino, APR (seen here in a vintage photo circa 1983 serendipitously doing a Clash impersonation in a since-forgotten location) is a spin-free public relations pro who is passionate about telling the why of your story with clarity, impact and authenticity. He began his PR career in 1987 at Ketchum Public Relations in New York City but has spent the majority of his career as a solopreneur. He’s the Chief Authentic Officer of the Johnson City, TN-based public relations firm, AuthenticityPR. He also functions as the fractional CCO for technology startup Converus.
Jeff has an MBA in Management from Western International University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications — with an emphasis in PR — from Brigham Young University (rise and shout!). He’s a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but also holds an Italian citizenship. Jeff and his storyteller wife Leticia have four children and four grandchildren. In his extremely limited nonwork hours, he studies italiano, practices guitar, write songs, gardens, disc golfs, reads, listens to New Wave music, serves in his church, watches BYU football, and plays Dominion and Seven Wonders. Email Jeff.
