I got a letter congratulating me on winning $50k. And there was a check inside for $3000. It said to deposit it in my checking account and to use it to pay taxes. I later found that it's a scam and that the check is most likely counterfeit.
But the problem is, I already deposited in my bank via ATM.... so what will happen now? It's a Canadian check and my bank if Bank of America. When it bounces will I be responsible for any fees or even prosecuted?????
2006-12-23 17:13:55 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Personal Finance
Notify the bank immediately, and tell them just what yoo told us. The bank will follow up and track the check. Chances are good that it is counterfeit, and as long as you did not try to withdraw any of those funds, you'll be OK. If you notify the bank before it comes back to them as a bad check, they may forgive any fees you would otherwise have incurred.
If the check by some miracle is indeed good, make sure that the bank freezes your account or changes the account to another number to prevent you from suffering any unauthorized withdrawals, as whoever sent you the check now has your routing numbers, account numbers and your signature!
Unless you knowingly and intentionally withdrew any of the fraudulent funds, you are a victim...not a criminal
You won't be prosecuted.
2006-12-24 02:13:02 · answer #1 · answered by gr8 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would first tell your bank about it and also alert the authorities to this scam. Tell them as many details about the check: where it came from, the name of the bank on the check, company name on the check, etc. If you weren't aware at the time you deposited the check that it was a scam, then you shouldn't be responsible for any fees or be prosecuted - you're an innocent party that got scammed. Of course, a good word of advice: DO NOT cash or even deposit any checks that you aren't familiar with. If you get something like that in the mail from out of the blue and you don't recognize the company or the return address, I would check it out first. Call the Better Business Bureau first about it to see if it's legit. If there's no such company, then of course, it's a scam and thus, you just toss it in the trash. Good luck. Hope I've been of some help.
2006-12-23 17:20:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Call the bank and tell them what happened...they most likely already know and can give you the best advice on what to do. If you spent the money, then you will probably have all kinds of bounced checks. If not, then don't worry too much. You aren't the one who committed the crime. Chances are if you deposited it in your ATM, then the entire cash balance isn't available right away anyway. Usually with checks in that amount they place a hold on them for a couple of days to make sure it goes through. At least that is what my bank does.
How do the scammers benefit from this? I hope you didn't give them any of your personal information in order to obtain the check!
2006-12-23 17:53:09 · answer #3 · answered by Heather B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is 100% fraud. As long as you don't spend the money you will be fine. Eventually it will come back as a fraudulent check. It probably wouldn't hurt to let the local branch manager that you found out you found out later that you deposited a fraudulent check. YOu will be assessed a small fee around $6.00 for depositing a bad check. If you spend the money before the bank finds out that it is a bad check you will have some serious consequences if you cannot pay back the funds immediately.
2006-12-23 18:03:00 · answer #4 · answered by Monte G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hurry up and contact BofA's fraud department and tell them what happened. They've seen this before and will know what to do. Usually, the scam works when the scammer obtains the information on your banking identification when you deposit the check. You will most likely have to get a new account now and freeze what ever you had in there so that the thieves can't empty your account.
2006-12-23 17:19:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
That was really, really dumb. There's no such thing as a free lunch. No one just wins $50k like that. Yes, Bank of America will charge you, for the check bouncing (about $30) and for the check being Canadian (not sure how much that would be).
2006-12-23 17:18:26 · answer #6 · answered by illiniangel 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If the cheque was written out in your name than you did not commit any crime. If the bank rejects the cheque they are likely to charge the issuer administration fees. However, if the bank finds out that there is a scam going on and filed a police report, you may be called up to a police station for interrogation. If you're innocent, than there's nothing for you to worry about.
2006-12-23 17:18:48 · answer #7 · answered by SingGirl 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, sorry to tell you that you will be responsible and there may be charges filed against you.
This is happening all over Houston and it has been on the news a lot lately. Best thing you can do is call and talk to the bank and tell them you were bilked and ask them to help you sorting it out.
Sorry, but if it's too good to be true; then it is.
2006-12-23 17:17:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Call your bank first thing Tuesday. They will probably waive the bad check fees.
Good grief, whatever you do, don't spend any of that money.
2006-12-23 17:16:28 · answer #9 · answered by maamu 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would get to the bank and explain things and retain a lawyer
2006-12-23 17:36:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋