Ask Me Help Desk - Victim of a mystery shoppers scam

I never gave no bank info I was told once I had the money in hand I had to go online and click one step one which now I'm probably sure it was to wire the money or something. I'm a stay at home mother with 4 kids and all I was doing was trying to help my husband out now it seems like I just messed it up for us I feel so bad

I'm thinking if anything they should take into consideration that the money they made available I didn't touch because I wanted to do things right (thinking it was a real job) if my account was overdrafted don't u think they would have took my husbands direct deposited check? The day after I deposited it I called they put a hold on the check because I was concerned about my account after that they froze it and said they will be closing it and then I couldn't bank at any bank

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottGem

I don't see where she gave them scammers her bank info. But it is a possibility they were trying to use the cancelled check to hack the account. But then why shut her down, why not just close the account and open a new one?

Hopefully the OP will come back with some answers.

I never gave anyone my bank info I'm thinking if I would have touched the money they made available and did step one the scammers were telling me to do, that maybe they might have had me send them the money or something I'm not sure that's just what I'm hearing I never went back on that website since as for the overdraft my husband got paid the day before (direct deposited) and despite the check I deposited that has now been sent back charging us a small return fee my husband still has what money was in the bank before the check situation.

OK, yes, if you were supposed to send them money, then it was a scam. But I really don't understand why they would close your account and blackball you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangelique92

my husband still has what money was in the bank before the check situation.

This is confusing! If your husband still has the balance and can use the account then what is this about the account being closed? The whole thing is wrong. I can see them freezing your account pending an investigation, but not what you say was done. So Monday morning I would be at that bank and demand an explanation from the bank manager. At the very least, demand that your balance (less the amount of the deposited check) be returned to you. And if its not, tell them you will be reporting this to the police and the State (or Federal if it's a federally chartered bank) banking authorities. Then may threaten to call the police on you and charge you with fraud. Don't let that intimidate you. You were the victim here (though you fell for a common scam) and should not lose out because of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottGem

OK, yes, if you were supposed to send them money, then it was a scam. But I really don't understand why they would close your account and blackball you.

This is confusing! if your husband still has the balance and can use the account then what is this about the account being closed? The whole thing is wrong. I can see them freezing your account pending an investigation, but not what you say was done. So Monday morning I would be at that bank and demand an explanation from the bank manager. At the very least, demand that your balance (less the amount of the deposited check) be returned to you. And if its not, tell them you will be reporting this to the police and the State (or Federal if its a federally chartered bank) banking authorities. Then may threaten to call the police on you and charge you with fraud. Don't let that intimidate you. You were the victim here (though you fell for a common scam) and should not lose out because of it.

Well the bank is sending us a check of what money my husband had in there. I believe they said my account will be shut at the beginning of the week. I was told to call loss prevention department we did they don't want to help all I want is for my account to stay open. I fell for a scam I messed up but I didn't take the banks money or nothing so why would I not be able to bank there? I've been banking with them for several years already

'so why would I not be able to bank there?'

That's why we keep saying to go back to the bank and demand to talk to a manager.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joypulv

'so why would I not be able to bank there?'

That's why we keep saying to go back to the bank and demand to talk to a manager.

Will do thanks everyone I appreciate your guys help

What Joy said. You are right, you didn't take any of the banks money. In fact you lost the bad check fee (and rightly so). But I see no reason why your account has to be closed. And especially why you wouldn't be able to bank elsewhere. That is wrong and you should, at least get an explanation.

Let us know what happens.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottGem

What Joy said. You are right, you didn't take any of the banks money. In fact you lost the bad check fee (and rightly so). But I see no reason why your account has to be closed. And especially why you wouldn't be able to bank elsewhere. That is wrong and you should, at least get an explanation.

Let us know what happens.

I sure will :)

An ex-boss once deposited a check that bounced into her account and they cancelled/closed her account immediately. They told her she can apply for another one after 5 years. It sounds like a normal procedure for Bank of America - other banks apparently do this as well.