Last week I posted an interview with Peggy, of the Etsy store called Peggysprozac (that’s pronounced, “Peggy’s Prozac,” not Peggy Spro-Zac), and she really offered some great tips on the topics of sewing machines, embroidery machines, and sewing doll clothes with sports team themes. To see that interview, please visit this link.

 

But there’s one heck of a story behind Peggy’s store’s name. It started as a survival technique, after her family became victims of fraud. Here, I’ll let Peggy tell you all about it:

Question 1: Your Etsy shop has a very unique name: Peggysprozac. How did you come up with that name?

Peggy: If you visit my shop and click on Peggy under the shop owner,  there is a short story about how my shop’s name came about.  A short version is: my mom, at age 82, was scammed for $47,000 in June, 2010.  This type of crime against a loved one has an effect on family members.  I went into a depression and sewing doll clothes became my way to cope.

Chelly: Wow. I’m very sorry to hear that, Peggy. But it seems you’ve turned your lemons into lemonade, so to speak… I understand you’re very involved in the education of others about internet safety and protecting one’s self from scammers.

 

Question 2: Can you suggest a website where seamstresses/sewists can learn more about this?

Peggy: We are all vulnerable to scams, regardless of age, gender, race, education and/or income levels.  There are new scams coming up all the time.  As an AARP Fraud Fighter, I use their web page:  www.fraudwatchnetwork.com to keep abreast of the scams that have been reported in a specific state.  

This website has a lot of information on how to protect yourself from becoming a victim, including cyber crime.  It has fraud alerts, tips, and resources, and it is free to browse. People of all ages are scammed, not just seniors.  This is the most comprehensive internet site on fraud I have found, and it is updated frequently.

Question 3: In what ways might seamstresses/sewists be especially vulnerable to scams?

Peggy: Many people who sew order things over the internet and therefore, are using their credit cards over the internet.  I recommend using a card that is strictly for credit, not a debit card.  With a credit card, an unauthorized charge is easy to dispute. Federal law requires you to be liable for $50; some credit companies won’t even charge you anything.

With a debit card, you have just 2 days to report an unauthorized charge. If you wait longer than 60 days, you could be responsible for all the money taken from your account.  You may be liable for overdraft fees if the thief’s total purchases exceed your bank account balance.  Debit cards have weaker liability protection than credit cards.  In addition, cyber crime is on the increase.

For more information, see the AARP Fraud Watch network webpage.

Chelly: Peggy, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with myself and my blog followers! I’m always impressed by the courage and strength of character of crafters like you, who can take a situation like heartbreaking fraud, and turn it into a creative outlet. I wish you many blessings!