I got Scammed

[nhangel]

I like so many others got scammed. I received a check form a Bank in N.Y. with having money troubles I did not think about this check. So I put htis in my checking account and instead of waiting to see if the checked cleared I took out some money. Now the bank is telling me I ouw them $4500.00 which is now in the hands of a collections agency. Can anyone help me with this as far as some advice. BEWARE don't be taken like I was. Money is apowerful thing when you are in debt. :mad

[sweeps]

No offense, but didn't you wonder why a bank randomly sent you a check for $4500 without expecting you to pay it back?

[boefixepa]

Um...can you explain the situation about the check? Was it one of those debt consolidation gimics? Please explain more...

[LuxLiving]

What did you spend the money on? Can you take some of it back for a refund to repay the bank??

[Ima saver]

If it seems to good to be true, it usually is! I always read the fine print and I can't remember the last time I got "taken"

[aurielle]

A few years ago I received an unexpected check in the mail for around $5000. No letter with it or anything, on the back of the check it said something to the effect of 'By signing and depositing this check, I agree to be bound to the terms of this loan...', it then listed the payback schedule and had a gawdawful interest rate. Came from some finance company if I recall correctly. I promptly shredded it.

[jmjj215]

Those people are going to be relegated to licking envelopes in the after-life.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Sweepsplayer

No offense, but didn't you wonder why a bank randomly sent you a check for $4500 without expecting you to pay it back?

My thoughts exactly.

[thekid]

Originally Posted by aurielle

A few years ago I received an unexpected check in the mail for around $5000. No letter with it or anything, on the back of the check it said something to the effect of 'By signing and depositing this check, I agree to be bound to the terms of this loan...', it then listed the payback schedule and had a gawdawful interest rate. Came from some finance company if I recall correctly. I promptly shredded it.

Well, I don't know about the state of the law in your jurisdiction, but where I come from the conditions of the "loan" would be entirely unenforceable (ie. the "finance company" could not make you respect its terms, including interest payments) as consumer protection laws invalidate abusive external clauses (clauses which are not contained in the document you signed). As for the capital, I would take it it constitutes "unjustified enrichment" to keep it and would have to be paid back.....but I would hate to plead in front of a judge that so and so, who no longer has the money, has to gimme back my money scam like money. For this reason, I severely doubt that check was real.

[Ima saver]

I get small checks in the maill all the time. It does say on the back that if I cash it, I will be joining something or agreeing to something. I just tear them up.
No body sends you a check for no reason.

[sweeps]

Ima, I sent you a check for $1,000. I wondered why you never cashed it.

[thekid]

Got a check from my employer once and cashed it. Turns out I didn't check the fine print in the "employment agreement" it was linked to. Been having to give up all my days doing labour for said employer ever since in order to receive more of those checks. Damn that fine print!

[thekid]

To the original poster,

I would recommend that you contact your local consumer protection office for information. Cosumer protection laws can limit liability towards banks in certain cases in which you are the victim of fraud.

I don't know the particulars of your situation, but it seems from your post that you cashed a boggus check and made withdrawls on it. Outside of consumer protections laws (which I don't know what they cover in your jurisdiction), you would be liable to the bank for the amount and have a recourse in damages against that "bank in NY". I realize that this is not a great situation and I'm sorry. The best advice, and I think you know that, is not to cash highly dubbious checks.

Good luck.

[Ima saver]

Sweeps, I am still holding the check. Now that I know it is good, I will cash it!!

[PRICEPLUS]

Sorry to say that in life nothing is free where banks and finance companies are concerned.
IF it sounds too good to be true then it usually is too good to be true!

Sweepsplayer, where is my check?

[shelbylovesmelby]

I bet the check was from a place called BENEFICIAL????

We used to see those checks when I worked in a bank upon occasion & I would mention it to them that you know this is a very very pricy loan (usually about 30%). Some didn't know & some just needed the money & didn't care.

I also get lil fake checks from mortgage companies, telling us they could guarantee us like 45K if we call them.... UM NO THANKS! Off to the shredder it goes it goes!