can the sender of a check have access to my bank account if i cash their check?

Question

I cashed a check from someone who i think is a scammer from craiglist. It was for a car, but i did not send them the car. I am afraid they can drain all the money out of my bank because i deposited the check in my bank account. What should i do now?

Answer 1

Someone cannot get access to your account unless they have personal information. I am a business person and cannot. A new law went into effect last year. We used to be able to find out if a check would clear an account but now we can't. If you believe the person is a scammer, notify the local police department. If it involves eBay. They have their own thorough methods of catching criminals. Somehow, I don't know why, but I feel another element is missing from your dilemma.

Answer 2

I hope that you take the advice of the other posters, however I think that you should not EVER take checks from people that you dont know.
If that person sends you a fraudulent check, it might take 10 days for the account to confirm that it is fraud.
meaning, the check could be a fake check from a real account! SO your bank verifies that there is money in the account and takes the money out. Then at the end of the month (or when the real account owners stuff starts to bounce) that bank will notify YOUR bank. Your account will be frozen (or overdrawn if you spent that money).
In the future, a certified cashiers check from THEir bank. Postal money orders can be had for 90 cents at ANY post office.
(most thieves are unwilling to risk POSTAL fraud by counterfiting postal money orders)
If you meet this person have the transfer take place at the half way point AT A POLICE STATION! get there early and let the police know what is going on. THey can kinda peek out and depending on your town, you can get a cop to go for the 'test ride'.
NOte the license number (plate) of the person driving them to the meeting and ask to see the driver's license so that you can record or ask the police to make a copy of same (they can spot fake ones)
most honest people wont mind for a high dollar amount

Answer 3

If I am reading your message correctly, you believe you are being 'scammed' because someone sent you a check to purchase a car, however you did not send them the car, yet, you deposited and cashed their check?

If this is correct, you may have more on your plate. The sender of the check may have grounds to prosecute you if he does not receive the merchandise that he paid for and you agreed to deliver. If you do not have a car to sell and accepted money for the delivery of a car that you do not have, it may be seen as a fraudulant act on your part.

The sender of a check cannot have 'legal' access to your bank account for any purpose other than what you so authorize in writing.

However, if your belief is that he may be a scammer, 'legal' is not one of his concerns.

If you believe someone may have unauthorized access to your account, you should close the account in question and re-open another account and express your concerns 'in writing' to the bank. In this way if something should occur there will be a reference point.

Also continue to monitor your account daily for a time and then weekly.

Good Luck????

Answer 4

Why did'nt you send them the car? They an take you to court and get their money back, but as far as draining your account they can not just go into the bank and access your account.

Answer 5

Ask your bank for its security policies and how they protect their customers. In the future, insist on a money order! If not, then always cash a check at their bank, not yours. That way you'll know if its good or not, and minimizes security risks.

Answer 6

They would have to have more than your account # to do anything. I'd close that account and open a new one. Your bank will want to assist you in avoiding being a victim of fraud.

Answer 7

close your existing account and open a new account.