Nothing is safe anymore!!

Carol 83

Carol 83

Flower Girl
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I live in a very small town. Everyone knows each other pretty much, and we have one small bank. Today I get a call that my checking account is overdrawn. No way it could have been, but they have a suspicious check they'd like me to look at. Someone had made up a fake check, with all my correct banking info, account #, routing # and a correct check number. There were in fact TWO fake checks cashed against my account. Both of them with the same check number. The original REAL check was written to a big box store that begins with a W. So someone affiliated with W stole my banking info and created fake checks for a total of $1765.00. Not so smart, as they thought they were, since they didn't spell our last name right, lol. Thankfully, we got the money back, but had to close an account we'd had for 20 years, and open another one. I called the attorney general, but they don't get involved if you get the money back. I did call the W store, and let them no there was a breach somewhere, but they'll never find it. I filed a police report with the county Sheriff, and filled out identity theft paperwork. But he even admitted, they'd probably never catch them. We have online banking with our other accounts, but I never set it up on this one, because I don't use it that much. I have set it up now. I always worry about my credit card getting hacked, but now realize NOTHING is safe. Just a heads up.
 
My sister had I think $200 stolen from her account once by someone in another country. She was told there is nothing you can do about it, and never got her money back. At least they didnt steal more though...
 
Carol 83 said:
I always worry about my credit card getting hacked, but now realize NOTHING is safe. Just a heads up.
Click to expand...

With checking or investment accounts, I recommend getting two-step verification for online banking. What that means is you enter your ID and password on your PC, and then the bank sends an access code to your cell phone. You have 10 minutes to enter the access code to gain access to your account. It is extremely difficult to break two-step verification.

And please.... for the love of god never use a debit card and never do any banking from your cell phone.
 
Bonsai Nut said:
With checking or investment accounts, I recommend getting two-step verification for online banking. What that means is you enter your ID and password on your PC, and then the bank sends an access code to your cell phone. You have 10 minutes to enter the access code to gain access to your account. It is extremely difficult to break two-step verification.

And please.... for the love of god never use a debit card and never do any banking from your cell phone.
Click to expand...

Our cell phone doesn't work from home...so that would never work. But I do like that added protection.

@Carol 83 ...that's crazy someone was able to come up with such a way to defraud you. Thank goodness you were reimbursed!
 
Cadillactaste said:
Our cell phone doesn't work from home...so that would never work. But I do like that added protection.
Click to expand...

Ask your bank if they offer a security fob/security token. I got one, but I had to ask for it. Some will send you a code that you have to enter (I believe with universal coverage in the US), while some of the newest ones are just dumb keys that don't require connectivity.

The concept is to combine "something you know" (step 1) with "something you have" (step 2).

http://www.howtogeek.com/232314/u2f...g-universal-two-factor-authentication-tokens/
 
Bonsai Nut said:
Ask your bank if they offer a security fob/security token. I got one, but I had to ask for it. Some will send you a code that you have to enter (I believe with universal coverage in the US), while some of the newest ones are just dumb keys that don't require connectivity.

The concept is to combine "something you know" (step 1) with "something you have" (step 2).

http://www.howtogeek.com/232314/u2f...g-universal-two-factor-authentication-tokens/
Click to expand...
I used to have a token. They got rid of them. But I have security questions to get into the account after I add my password.
 
I have a bank account just for my direct deposit. As soon as I or my wife can we withdraw it all. Leave $20.00 just to keep the account open.
We had it drained a couple years back. So now we keep it safe.
 
Yep there are people out there after your money and will do whatever it takes to get it besides honestly work for it

Glad you were able to get it straightened out
 
Glad you got your money back. This is a scary thing. I stick to pre paid cards, and very little money in the bank. I've never been hacked but hopefully my measures will ensure that.
 
Thank you all. Ironically, the reason I used checks there, is because once I used my cc and got a call from my cc company asking if I had been to a Sam's Club in FL, since they charged $500 on my card there. So my cc got hacked first. The manager at the bank said I was the 3rd person that had a similar issue with the same W store. And this is a small bank. The cop suggested the next time I should take a truckload of chickens, and try to barter, lol. I work in AR, so I have access to literally hundreds of checks and cc accounts daily, but could never fathom stealing from someone. Unfortunately, they will probably never be held accountable. I hope they rot in hell!
.
 
I'm not 100% but I think bad things happen to bad people. Sure every now and then a good person takes some shit, that's just how it goes and we bounce back. but kamra is a somebitch when you never do good
 
Writing checks is crazy. You know how someone can access your account with the bank and account #'s from the bottom of the check, right? Yet the info is right there on every check we write.
CW
 
CWTurner said:
Writing checks is crazy. You know how someone can access your account with the bank and account #'s from the bottom of the check, right? Yet the info is right there on every check we write.
CW
Click to expand...
Yes, I do know that. Like I said I deal with hundreds of checks a day. But do I try to steal from any of them? No. Credit and debit cards are hacked on a regular basis also. That's why I say Nothing is safe. I have been frantic, pissed off, mad as hell all day that people are such crooks and assholes. I could easily do the same, I have access. But do I? No, because I'm not a crook or an asshole. Everything can be hacked. So, what do we do? Buy gold bars?
 
Carol 83 said:
I live in a very small town. Everyone knows each other pretty much, and we have one small bank. Today I get a call that my checking account is overdrawn. No way it could have been, but they have a suspicious check they'd like me to look at. Someone had made up a fake check, with all my correct banking info, account #, routing # and a correct check number. There were in fact TWO fake checks cashed against my account. Both of them with the same check number. The original REAL check was written to a big box store that begins with a W. So someone affiliated with W stole my banking info and created fake checks for a total of $1765.00. Not so smart, as they thought they were, since they didn't spell our last name right, lol. Thankfully, we got the money back, but had to close an account we'd had for 20 years, and open another one. I called the attorney general, but they don't get involved if you get the money back. I did call the W store, and let them no there was a breach somewhere, but they'll never find it. I filed a police report with the county Sheriff, and filled out identity theft paperwork. But he even admitted, they'd probably never catch them. We have online banking with our other accounts, but I never set it up on this one, because I don't use it that much. I have set it up now. I always worry about my credit card getting hacked, but now realize NOTHING is safe. Just a heads up.
Click to expand...
It probably had nothing at all to do with Wal mart, whether your name is correct or not is of zero consequence to the people using it because WM doesn't know what name should be going with your account. They aren't even trying to fool anyone once the bank notices it. Be sure you save a copy of the police report, because just closing the account will not stop them from writting more bad checks off your account! You may get letters saying you have warrants for bad checks... the fact that your name is wrong on them could be a saving grace there.

@CWTurner is right- all they need is your routing and account number and they can take money from your account in numerous ways: create fake checks, electronic drafts, ACH, Western Union.... depending on the HE size of your bank, they may be able to use the same numbers for wires too (larger banks have separate Aba and routing numbers, smaller banks and CUs just use the same one, and some allow internet and phone request for wires). You would be surprised the stuff I saw working at banks the past 10+ years! Writing checks from your account is the absolute worst thing you can do regarding account security. A debit card or credit card gets fraudulent charges on it, no big deal! 100% not liable for fraud on VISA cards, just replace the card with one that has a different number and the problem is solved! You will have you money back within a few days. If a CHECK is used to take money, the only alternative is to close the account! The bank has to file with their insurance to gprecoup losses (.and they only do that in cases where the losses are large), so they wind up taking it in the chin in many instances which means they are less likely to want to give you the money back! The rules can vary a bit more from bank to bank about how and when you get the money back because of this... unlike cards where the third party- VISA- sets the rules and gets involved.

So, to recap-
1: 99% of the time, it has nothing to do with the place where the money is spent. The fraudsters know who doesn't give a rip about checking IDs= busy retailers like Wally World! So as soon as they get a live one, they go running in there! It is also a spot that has big ticket items like Tvs and electronics... and they have services to let people CASH checks... just a big blue fraud magnet! Not usually WM employees doing it, but they are somewhat liable for NEVER checking IDs IMO!

2: STOP WRITTING CHECKS. 100% of the time it is a bad idea! Get a debit card for a bit of protection, but ideally you should use a CREDIT CARD. Debit cards are tied to your checking account and if taken, it can take a while to get the money back sometimes, meanwhile your account is without the funds! If someone gets your credit card, they are just using up a bit of the available balance... No connection to your bank accounts, no harm, no foul- VISA fixes it and wipes out the fraudulent charges, you never pay a dime of it! Not to mention the benefits of cash back or travel rewards... so, give yourself a raise, take advantage of cash features on credit cards, put all your bills/ fun/ EVERYTHING on the CREDIT card, pay it off every month- you just solved your fraud concerns and gave yourself that raise AND made budgeting easier!

3. Sounds like your bank should have caught these checks before your account was wiped out... if they came through with the same numbers on them that is a big red flag! No bank catches everything like this, but duplicate numbers, unusual account activity, overdrafts... are a combination that should have set off many fraud alerts. Might want to shop your banking services and look for a bank with better internal controls if you plan on writting checks in the future. JMHO
 
I havn't had any problems. I pay with fitbit.

err..I mean Bitcoin.

or is it wampum....I can't remember.
 
Thanks @Eric Group for all of the good info. I ordered a debit card for the account yesterday, but will use is sparingly. My husband has also suggested to just use my cc, and take advantage of the cash back bonus, although that was hacked once at Wal-mart also. Of course, I wasn't liable, just pissed off. I'll still have to use a check or something affiliated with my checking account to pay the cc bill. I was lucky I didn't actually lose any money, the bank replaced it almost immediately. Which I think is partly because they felt somewhat responsible. The first check sent through had one digit incorrect in the account number, and they let it go through anyway. I guess I was mostly just venting about the turmoil and inconvenience that scumbag caused. I agree with @Soldano666 , karma is a bitch. Hope that asshole finds out!
 
Bonsai Nut said:
With checking or investment accounts, I recommend getting two-step verification for online banking. What that means is you enter your ID and password on your PC, and then the bank sends an access code to your cell phone. You have 10 minutes to enter the access code to gain access to your account. It is extremely difficult to break two-step verification.

And please.... for the love of god never use a debit card and never do any banking from your cell phone.
Click to expand...
Nut,
What is wrong with using Cell phone to do banking such as pay bills. I thought there is a security built in somewhere that if I use the correct username/password on another device then I will get a pin from the bank that I have to enter in order for that work. Not sure what is the concerns here. Would like to know.
Thanks,
NN
 
Eric Group said:
It probably had nothing at all to do with Wal mart, whether your name is correct or not is of zero consequence to the people using it because WM doesn't know what name should be going with your account. They aren't even trying to fool anyone once the bank notices it. Be sure you save a copy of the police report, because just closing the account will not stop them from writting more bad checks off your account! You may get letters saying you have warrants for bad checks... the fact that your name is wrong on them could be a saving grace there.

@CWTurner is right- all they need is your routing and account number and they can take money from your account in numerous ways: create fake checks, electronic drafts, ACH, Western Union.... depending on the HE size of your bank, they may be able to use the same numbers for wires too (larger banks have separate Aba and routing numbers, smaller banks and CUs just use the same one, and some allow internet and phone request for wires). You would be surprised the stuff I saw working at banks the past 10+ years! Writing checks from your account is the absolute worst thing you can do regarding account security. A debit card or credit card gets fraudulent charges on it, no big deal! 100% not liable for fraud on VISA cards, just replace the card with one that has a different number and the problem is solved! You will have you money back within a few days. If a CHECK is used to take money, the only alternative is to close the account! The bank has to file with their insurance to gprecoup losses (.and they only do that in cases where the losses are large), so they wind up taking it in the chin in many instances which means they are less likely to want to give you the money back! The rules can vary a bit more from bank to bank about how and when you get the money back because of this... unlike cards where the third party- VISA- sets the rules and gets involved.

So, to recap-
1: 99% of the time, it has nothing to do with the place where the money is spent. The fraudsters know who doesn't give a rip about checking IDs= busy retailers like Wally World! So as soon as they get a live one, they go running in there! It is also a spot that has big ticket items like Tvs and electronics... and they have services to let people CASH checks... just a big blue fraud magnet! Not usually WM employees doing it, but they are somewhat liable for NEVER checking IDs IMO!

2: STOP WRITTING CHECKS. 100% of the time it is a bad idea! Get a debit card for a bit of protection, but ideally you should use a CREDIT CARD. Debit cards are tied to your checking account and if taken, it can take a while to get the money back sometimes, meanwhile your account is without the funds! If someone gets your credit card, they are just using up a bit of the available balance... No connection to your bank accounts, no harm, no foul- VISA fixes it and wipes out the fraudulent charges, you never pay a dime of it! Not to mention the benefits of cash back or travel rewards... so, give yourself a raise, take advantage of cash features on credit cards, put all your bills/ fun/ EVERYTHING on the CREDIT card, pay it off every month- you just solved your fraud concerns and gave yourself that raise AND made budgeting easier!

3. Sounds like your bank should have caught these checks before your account was wiped out... if they came through with the same numbers on them that is a big red flag! No bank catches everything like this, but duplicate numbers, unusual account activity, overdrafts... are a combination that should have set off many fraud alerts. Might want to shop your banking services and look for a bank with better internal controls if you plan on writting checks in the future. JMHO
Click to expand...
My wife and I have been using CCs for the vast majority of our spending for years. We've had issues with CC fraud several times, but as Eric pointed out, you're not on the hook for that. The biggest issue with using CCs for daily expenditures is that it's SUPER easy to spend more then you should and buy crap you don't need...like antique Chinese bonsai pots:confused:...gotta be disciplined!
 
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