Check fraud
Last night, a company called "MB XL Entertainment" passed a fraudulent check for $34.95 on my account. It wasn't a debit card transaction - it was an electronically-generated paper check. They used a totally random six-digit check number, and printed my address from 3+ years ago on it. I have absolutely no idea how they obtained my information, but the same company passed a check on my coworker's account. Hers was $39.99. I googled the name and found numerous postings from people stating the same general scenario - fake check run through for $35-$40. I went straight to the bank and closed my account. Luckily, I caught it so quickly that they were able to bounce it back, and the money has already been credited to my account. My friend didn't catch it for a little while and she had to sign an affidavit and file a formal dispute. Of course, she got her money back too.
Naturally, tomorrow is payday, and we have direct deposit. The bank manager is going to manually transfer the money into my new account, but she said it is likely to be Monday or Tuesday before I have full access to my money. Also naturally, rent is due this weekend, and I had several debits scheduled to go through. I was able to cancel all the debits except for my ONG payment, which the bank manager is also going to manually transfer. And my landlady was very understanding when I told her it would be a few days before she got her check.
What pissed me off the most, though, is that I just got a brand new box of checks (which tends to last me about a year) less than a week ago. I was so happy to get them...the design is so cute, and they had my new name on them, and I was just generally looking forward to using them. I didn't get to use a single one. But I called Checks in the Mail and explained the situation, and they are replacing the checks at no charge. I was very impressed by that.
I have an account with Arvest, and my friend uses BOK. She said that the person at BOK gave her the impression they'd had numerous complaints; meanwhile, I was apparently the first person to report it to the person I spoke to at my bank. I made sure to let them know that I knew someone else personally that was hit and she promised to notify their "Risk Management" department.
I will be filing a complaint with the Attorney General as well as the FTC. Meanwhile, I advise all of you to be diligent, and I hope it doesn't happen to you!
Naturally, tomorrow is payday, and we have direct deposit. The bank manager is going to manually transfer the money into my new account, but she said it is likely to be Monday or Tuesday before I have full access to my money. Also naturally, rent is due this weekend, and I had several debits scheduled to go through. I was able to cancel all the debits except for my ONG payment, which the bank manager is also going to manually transfer. And my landlady was very understanding when I told her it would be a few days before she got her check.
What pissed me off the most, though, is that I just got a brand new box of checks (which tends to last me about a year) less than a week ago. I was so happy to get them...the design is so cute, and they had my new name on them, and I was just generally looking forward to using them. I didn't get to use a single one. But I called Checks in the Mail and explained the situation, and they are replacing the checks at no charge. I was very impressed by that.
I have an account with Arvest, and my friend uses BOK. She said that the person at BOK gave her the impression they'd had numerous complaints; meanwhile, I was apparently the first person to report it to the person I spoke to at my bank. I made sure to let them know that I knew someone else personally that was hit and she promised to notify their "Risk Management" department.
I will be filing a complaint with the Attorney General as well as the FTC. Meanwhile, I advise all of you to be diligent, and I hope it doesn't happen to you!