Robert
Buffalo,#2Consumer Suggestion
Thu, December 22, 2011
As my employer's request the money was transferred via Western Union to his agent in Texas. A total of $2376.00 was transferred through my debit card. I proceeded into the grocery store and made some purchases.
Your "employer" owes you the money, not the credit union. You fell for an old scam. Yes, the authorities will investigate and no, the credit union is NOT going to credit you the money. You're SOL unless these scammers are caught and somehow pay you.
You can call us names all you like, but we idiots didn't fall for this nonsense.
Let me take a guess: Your employment was as some sort of "mystery shopper" or the like that you found on the internet? You were to send the money and then complete a report on the money transfer and the remaining funds were your payment? Sound familiar?
It's an old scam that has been around for YEARS. It's unfortunate that you fell for it but calling us names isn't going to help you. Further, it was already explained to you why the credit union is NOT going to eat the loss. As the presenter of the check YOU are personally guaranteeing that the check is good. If it is later determined that the check is fraudulent, YOU are responsible to return the funds to the credit union.
Nothing any investigative agency accomplishes is going to change this. YOU are on the hook to the credit union for the money. Remember this in the future the next time you deposit/cash any check from someone you do not personally know.
Robert
Irvine,#3Consumer Comment
Thu, December 22, 2011
I am sorry that this happened and would be glad if these people were caught and you got your money back. But because of the reasons I listed above I think you are in some form of denial if you think there is even a remote chance of this happening.
In your update you didn't dispute anything I had said. In fact you just seem to contradict what you had originally said. Because it is interesting how within hours you went from no one has "jumped" on this and you have received no pertinent information to you have numerous agencies investigating this.
Again while I do feel sorry for you, when you talk about intelligence, ignorance, and stupidity you probably should think back on your actions.
Ramjet
Somewhere,#4Consumer Comment
Thu, December 22, 2011
This really sounds like a very old scam and you fell for it, hook, line and sinker.
I hope I'm wrong and wish you good luck.
Monica
Vancouver,#5Consumer Comment
Thu, December 22, 2011
and your response proves it. You are responsible for the bad check....no matter how much you scream.
Take the time to do some research on the scam you fell for.
Corky
Chandler,#6Author of original report
Thu, December 22, 2011
Do any of you people really listen to your own BS. The matter is under investigation and numerous agencies are investigating the fraud. Listen to the facts and don't let your ignorance overrun your intelligence or lack of.
I really have to wonder with all the stupidity roaming in the little computer rooms around the country they might as well walk in and put you out of your misery!
Not everything is black and white as we all want it to be. Take yourself outdoors once in awhile and dust your frickin brains off. When the S**T hits the fans you 'll be first to take it right in the mouth. OPEN UP AND SAY AHH. Have a great holiday season.
Robert
Irvine,#7Consumer Comment
Wed, December 21, 2011
But there is no better way to say this...you are SCREWED.
Being skeptical about check and its origin I wanted to make sure of its legitimacy.
- Oh really? So I guess it was totally normal for you that an "employeer" would send you a check, ask you to deposit it and send them cash through Western Union.
So what was your job? Were you a "secret shopper", a "payment processor", or were you handling some huge international property deal? Then for doing nothing more than probably 1-2 hours worth of work they are willing to pay you a few hundred dollars. Yet you still wanted to make sure it was legitimate. Unfortunately this is what these people rely on...even though everything says "scam" you let your greed, and yes it is greed, get the best of you.
I asked why I was taking the hit for the banks error.
- It wasn't their error. When you deposit a check YOU are representing that it is a valid check. After all if you knew it was fake you would be guilty of check fraud. Now, the banks are required to follow the Federal Expedited Funds Availability Act(AKA Reg CC). These are the regulations that they must follow as to when they MUST make funds available. It does not mean that the check is good. It can still come back as bad and as the person who deposited the check YOU are responsible. Which unfortunately means that you owe the bank for any overdrafts and fees as a result of that.
I have reported this crime to many different agencies and have yet to have anyone jump on this situation to get to the bottom of it.
- Here is why. There is nothing to get to the bottom of.
Your "employer" gave you a fake name. If they gave you an address it is also fake or belongs to a business that has nothing to do with this, in fact their favorite is to use vacant lots. The Phone Number is to a throw-away cell phone that was purchased with cash. If they use e-mail addresses they are "free" e-mail addresses that anyone can get. The Western Union is untraceable, in fact you probably even gave them some "account number" that enabled them to pick it up without ID. Oh and perhaps the biggest thing..these people are in a foreign country.
The best thing you can do now is try and work out something with your bank as to how you are going to pay back the money. Because if you don't they will probably turn you over to a Collection Agency as well as into ChexSystems. If you still don't pay they may eventually file suit against you.