mystery shoppers scam got sucked HELP

[energizer]

I got suckered into a mystery shopper scam. A cashiers check along with instructions was priority mailed to me with an email and a phone startling with area code 917. 210 4789. (Vonage #) . It instructed me to report Walmart activities and buy MoneyPak in differerent denomination $750, $800 $900 .and to write abt your purchase experience.

The check in amt of $3270 was deposited in chase bank.. it got Cash immediately and I went n purchased MoneyPak and reported the numbers off money pak. Unfortunately, 5days later Chase bank puts HOLD on my bank saying the check deposited was fraudulent check.

I m asking for. CIC members help. I know I shouldn't have fallen for it but now I m deeply concerned abt my consequences and liability in this matter. All the money pak transactions were done via debit card however chase fraud division called to verify my transactions and I said I had authorized it.

I m so very afraid to go see the banker at chase bank of what I may learn. I also have direct deposits hitting the bank in two days. Will they off set. That money against what I owe. I m unable to stop my direct deposit in Chase account. Plz let me know

[racecar]

I would fill out a complaint with the attorney general's office and your local police dept.

Then I might call and email chase bank and tell them what happened.

accountatrisk@chase.com. Please include information on the fraudulent transactions in addition to the account holder's name, ZIP code and phone number so we can easily identify you. You'll receive an automated response to let you know we got the email, and we'll follow up with you if necessary in 2 business days.

[energizer]

Will they off set the direct deposits with outstanding balance.

[Clydesmom]

Will they off set the direct deposits with outstanding balance.

 

Yes.  The bank is not going to cover this loss.  The responsibility is on you to not spend the money until a check clears deposit.  The problem with these scams is it can take weeks sometimes to find out that check is bad.  

 

Several years ago I received three of those checks inside of a week.  My local police department was within walking distance and I went up there with them and turned them over to the cops.  The first thing the cop said to me was he "wondered what would happen if I cashed them" and I said I would end up owing the bank if I actually removed the money and spent it.  

 

Here is an article about the WalMart scam specifically:

 

http://corporate.walmart.com/privacy-security/fraud-alerts/mystery-shopper

 

"The problem is that the check is fake; so when it bounces—which occurs after the money is wired—the consumer is accountable (in some cases, criminally) to the bank for the entire amount of the fake check, plus additional penalty fees. "

 

If you were a victim of fraud via the Internet, you should file a report with your local law enforcement along with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (ICCC). The ICCC is a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center. You can make a report with the ICCC by going to the following link: http://www.ic3.gov/

 

Be prepared that Chase is pretty draconian about recovering this money.  You should report it to law enforcement but the chances of these crooks being caught is zero.  The wiring of the money means it can be picked up ANYWHERE in the world and likely went to a crime ring in Eastern Europe, Nigeria, or Central America.  I am sorry this happened to you but it is better that you be prepared for what might happen.

[energizer]

Since the check was found fraudulent and reported on Nov 13th, 2013, my online chase account is showing a negative balance of $-2510.74 in their notifications by email only but when you log in online to chase.com its showing a positive balance of $ 486.74. i dont understand it.

 

A deposit from my paypal account of $50 was not credited to the account as of Nov 14th. (its been 3 days since request). Is it possible that chase may reject the deposit/transfer from my paypal account. Also, i sent an email to chase requesting that a direct deposit expected on Nov 17th from a certain merchant/company be rejected/stopped/sent back? (I m not sure such a request even matters or they even listen to it, but what the hell give it a try). atleast there is documentation/paper trail.

 

Does anyone believe they would stop a direct deposit from entering my account? The paypal deposit didn't go thru so i m optimistic?

 

BTW, i did send the email to their account@risk@chase.com email on November 14th, 2013. I am waiting to hear back from Chase. No attachments were provided as of Nov 14th, 2013. Waiting to hear what chase has to say.

 

wish me luck!!!! or $2510 is on me? do they agree to a payment plan or they just go close the account until paid? is this thing if not paid reportable to Credit bureaus or Chex Systems?

 

anyone have experience depositing a fraudulent check and have worked with the bank to correct it?

[energizer]

I would fill out a complaint with the attorney general's office and your local police dept.

Then I might call and email chase bank and tell them what happened.

accountatrisk@chase.com. Please include information on the fraudulent transactions in addition to the account holder's name, ZIP code and phone number so we can easily identify you. You'll receive an automated response to let you know we got the email, and we'll follow up with you if necessary in 2 business days.

 

all that you have said here is done and completed. I did get a response back from Chase bank. now what should be my next steps. I have researched it and so far I am finding that there is absolutely no way out of paying them their money back!!!!!!. absolutely none. I don't know if I don't pay them do I get reported to CHEX Systems or Experian/TU/Equifax.

Secondly, is it possible that they would be willing to settle the account for less than amount owed. What do you think should the offer be? I m presuming they will close the account for non-payment and any direct deposit money received will be offset against it. do you see any legal avenues or something that chase may do to work with me on getting account settled/paid.

I am told no matter what I say or do as an endorser of the check I am 100% liable for the check I deposited. Period. doesn't matter if it is valid or invalid check. that would be the depositor's responsibility.

 

What more can be done here? The loss is $2850 now, however that may go up after collection activities. Anyone suggest opening another checking account at another bank before this ever gets reported to ChexSystems.

[BV80]

@energizer

 

I'm so sorry for what you're going through.  Unfortunately, other than filing police reports and complaints, unless you have some recourse against the company, there may be nothing you can do with regard to your bank account with Chase.

 

I m so very afraid to go see the banker at chase bank of what I may learn.

 

That's avoidance.  Wouldn't it be better to have all of the information that you need in order to make an informed decision?  If your banker informs you that you have to pay the money back, I'd think it would better to know that now and find out how they will handle the checks that are directly deposited into your account. 

 

If they're going to use those checks to cover the overdraft, you may want to open another account at another bank, if that's possible.  Then you might try to make payment arrangement before Chase sends the account to collections.

[energizer]

@BV80

 

I have talked to Chase and yes the only way out is to pay them back!!!!! something I had to learn the very hard way. I even asked if I could have payment arrangement before it goes into collections/Chargeoffs. they told me with a checking Account the chargeoff period is only 60 days not the usual 180 days like credit cards.

Secondly, I did go to a local police station to file a report regarding my scam and they told me they could not take a case like that for its very difficult to investigate. They wouldn't give me a case# either.

Next the direct deposits going into the bank will be offsetting against the current negative balance. So it is known now that I will have my negative balance reduced to $1900 from almost $3200. So my sixty days ends on January 15th. if I m unable to pay it in full and bring it current it will be charged off. The banker told me that the settlement can only come once its chargedoff. Nothing can be done prior to it.

I have had two other checking accounts under my name and they r very current and in good standing. I have already worked on moving my direct deposits from my employer into another bank account. Unfortunately, the one I knew was coming this week, the employer was unable to change it from depositing into Chase.  
 

Thanx BV80, I suppose that's gonna be the best I do!!! come up with $1900 lumpsum before jan 15th or risk loosing credit. **** happens. we all get over it!!!!!! I was just recovering from 4 chargeoffs happened to me back in 2008 only to find I will end up having to face that reality again. I don't have the $2000 now to payoff chase but I m hopeful I gather it before Jan 15, 2014.

I do live paycheck to paycheck and that's the hard truth. Even my secured credit cards are nearing maximum now!!!!! I said secured CC. When **** happens it happens in LUMPS AND LUMPSUMS.

 

[BV80]

@energizer

 

I wish you the very best of luck in getting this resolved in your favor.   Considering you're being proactive, as you have been in the past, I have a feeling that if there's a workable solution, you'll find it.