piggy-backing checks???

Navotifarm · #1 03/19/10, 07:00 AM

A weird thing happened with my credit union account which I discovered yesterday. A new scam you want to be warned and careful about!!!

I go online to upload my account into Quicken fairly regularly and then check off the entries in my paper register which for reasons you know about I keep up to date.

Yesterday morning I wanted to make sure I had enough to buy a gun Timmy found for me in a pawn shop, so I checked extra carefully. I was astounded, horrified and disbelieving to see that two checks to Giant (grocery store) had come in with the same number 5113 on the same date but I had only written one of them!!! Did the cashier give herself an unauthorized raise? How did this happen?

The extra check was for $55.56. Wow, I had not written a check to anybody, let alone Giant, even close to that amount or sequence of numbers.

I had to drop everything and scramble to go to the Ruckersville credit union, show them my check book (lucky I use duplicate checks), and sign an affidavit that I had not written the second check for that almost $56!!!

That money was simply taken from my account somehow! Worse, if I hadn't discovered it, I live so near the edge in my account, my little checks would have been bouncing in all directions. At $50 or $35 a pop on each end, that would have been ruinous!

The credit union is supposed to put the money back in my account after contacting Giant but when might that happen? How do I keep this from happening again?

When I still had a tv signal, there was a program on Nightline about 7-11 cashiers putting double charges on credit cards, one the correct charge for a purchase and one a bonus for themselves, or this being done when people buy things online and giving out their information.

But checks??? Have you heard anything about scammers double dipping checks? A new danger to beware of?

blooba · #2 03/19/10, 07:24 AM

Most checks are electronically deposited now so the amount you write on it is a mute point really. All they do is get your account numbers of the bottom and take a pic of your signature. Are you sure you wrote the check out for the right amount?

Have you ever shopped at Walmart? They give you the check back when they are done scanning it. Checks are actually easier to scam then debit cards now, maybe its time to check into getting one.

4nTN · #3 03/19/10, 07:38 AM

This is why when I am out of debt I will only use cash and money orders.
Sorry this happened,I hate having to scramble like that.I hope you get it all straightened out.

Sharon

blooba · #4 03/19/10, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4nTN

This is why when I am out of debt I will only use cash and money orders.
Sorry this happened,I hate having to scramble like that.I hope you get it all straightened out.

Sharon

Money orders are just as easy to scam although at least then your not out anymore than the MO was written for.

deaconjim · #5 03/19/10, 07:43 AM

I once found a $1500 cash advance on my credit card that I hadn't made. When the credit card company told me I had to write them a letter to report it and wait 30 days to get an answer, I explained to them that they gave someone $1500, and if they ever wanted to see that money again, they had better start finding out who it was. It didn't take 30 days to get it resolved.

Nevada · #6 03/19/10, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navotifarm

How do I keep this from happening again?

Contrary to what credit card companies will tell you, checking accounts are much more secure than credit card accounts. If you see a false charge on your checking account -- ANY false charge -- you can execute an Affidavit of Forgery and submit it to your bank. Upon handing your bank an affidavit of forgery they are required to replace the money at once, and refund any resulting fees that may have been incurred from that false charge.

What this amounts to is the supermarket committing wire fraud. While they will never be prosecuted for a crime, since there's no real question that it wasn't deliberate, with an affidavit of forgery on their desk it will be top priority for them to correct the problem. But they'll be paying the bank back, not you. You will already have your money refunded as soon as you execute the Affidavit.

You are not at risk of any "ruinous" activity to your account for false charges. Simply submit an Affidavit of forgery and forget it.

Your bank branch officer can give you an Affidavit of Forgery to fill-out and have it notarized it for you. All you need to do is ask.

o&itw · #7 03/19/10, 02:31 PM

sorry, non helpful post deleated.

arabian knight · #8 03/19/10, 02:32 PM

This about checking accounts are saver then credit card accounts.
Is this DEBIT Cards are Not as Safe as Credit Cards, Debit cards meaning you have hardly any recourse if there is a mistake on a purchase if it turns out to be a bad one, And when using them for on line purchases or other purchases as far as that goes..
That is what people are talking about. Not the difference between writing checks and using CC's.

blooba · #9 03/19/10, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevada

But they'll be paying the bank back, not you. You will already have your money refunded as soon as you execute the Affidavit.

You are not at risk of any "ruinous" activity to your account for false charges. Simply submit an Affidavit of forgery and forget it.

Not true, it all depends on your banks rules. Yea you can fill out the forgery affidavit but the bank may still collect its money from the charge from YOU. They will tell you to sue the person that did it. Luckily most banks don't do that but they can unless its in the contract when you opened your account.

Also a credit card IS safer because it is federally regulated including fraud protection. Checking accounts and debit cards do not have half of the regulations and protections.
A debit card has some more security than a check but still not as safe as a credit card.

edcopp · #10 03/19/10, 02:44 PM

It is not hard to figure out why so many people no longer trust banks, or businesses that operate like banks.

Nevada · #11 03/19/10, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blooba

Not true, it all depends on your banks rules.

Yes, state banking laws do vary.

TRAILRIDER · #12 03/24/10, 04:08 PM

The bank that I work at will refund your account if you file an affadavit of improper debit.
however if you give out your debit card number and it is used, heaven help you. When you give out your debit card number you essentially give access to your entire account. If a check is stolen and you refuse to press charges against the person who stole it (happens all the time, grandson steals grandmas check book and she won't press charges) then the bank WILL NOT refund your money. If you are unwilling to press charges you have allowed it.
Also, my bank will refund all Non sufficient funds charges if hte overdraft wasn't your fault. (Such as an improper debit like yours.)
Yes state regs do vary, but federal regs don't. How a bank has to handle your situation should be covered by federal regulation. It wouldn't hurt to contact your states attorney generals office and find some help.

TRAILRIDER · #13 03/24/10, 04:09 PM

have you contacted Giant yet?

Navotifarm · #14 03/26/10, 10:30 AM

Trailrider, sure I contacted Giant! The mgr asked me if by any chance I remembered the name of the cashier? Well, no! I sure did not! But I did what was suggested here, went to the credit union, showed my duplice checks including the one with the proper amount, signed an affidavit, and the false deduction was replaced in my account. So the system works two ways, which is comforting. What is NOT comforting is that I almost lost $55 and almost didn't know about it so now I wonder how often that has happened before or will again? Thought I'd tell folks on here to BEWARE!

suitcase_sally · #15 03/26/10, 10:44 AM

If you have your register receipt, there is identifying information on the receipt, including information that the store can use to view video of the transaction.

mnn2501 · #16 03/26/10, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blooba

Checks are actually easier to scam then debit cards now, maybe its time to check into getting one.

Not even close, give someone your debit card numbers and they can wipe out your account, not so with your check numbers.
Yes the bank will "make it good", but they have 60 days to do so.
Can you go without your money for 60 days?

Navotifarm · #17 03/27/10, 01:40 AM

Well, I did not have my register receipt and the mgr at the Giant did not ask me to come in, SSally. You made a good suggestion since it probably would have shown the transaction time and cashier id but while the amount to me was large, it was apparently of no concern to him.
Blooba, what 60 days? My $ was recredited to my account the next day. Fortunately!!!

blooba · #18 03/27/10, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mnn2501

Not even close, give someone your debit card numbers and they can wipe out your account, not so with your check numbers.
Yes the bank will "make it good", but they have 60 days to do so.
Can you go without your money for 60 days?

Have you ever heard of Fedwire?

They can clear your account out with the checks also. It does not take 60 days for a check to clear any longer (as of 2000) now that they do it all electronically. I can scan a picture of any check, put your account numbers on it. Scribble any signature and fill out the amount for whatever I want. I do not even have to print it.

You can deposit checks now from your computer by sending an image in to some banks. Its easy and most online banks do it now along with BOA.

blooba · #19 03/27/10, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navotifarm

Well, I did not have my register receipt and the mgr at the Giant did not ask me to come in, SSally. You made a good suggestion since it probably would have shown the transaction time and cashier id but while the amount to me was large, it was apparently of no concern to him.
Blooba, what 60 days? My $ was recredited to my account the next day. Fortunately!!!

Glad your bank reimbursed your money. Most do anymore but I do know in some states its not required so a few do not. Hopefully you won't have to goto court to testify.

Gary in ohio · #20 03/27/10, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mnn2501

Not even close, give someone your debit card numbers and they can wipe out your account, not so with your check numbers.
Yes the bank will "make it good", but they have 60 days to do so.
Can you go without your money for 60 days?

I can do a ACH withdraw from your account with the information on your check.. Heck MANY places now a days DONT really accept checks, but instead do an ACH withdraw using that information. With the check21 system that went in place 5 years ago, you dont need a physcial check, just submit an account number and price. Thats what wallmart does.. They handle way to man checks to worry about the paper, its all computerzied.