TrophyHusband 0 #1 July 8, 2008 recently my wife noticed a check cleared her account for $995.08 that she didn't write. the bank said that it was an error on their part and someone else's account got mixed up with hers and after filling out the proper paperwork, they could credit the money back in 7 to 10 business days. after a few days, we get a copy of the check in the mail and it was obvious to us that it was fraud and not a mistake. the check had someone else's name and address on it and my wife's checking account number on it. the address is local, but there's no local bank branch. the check was made out to a collections agency. on the signature line it said, "no signature required, verbal". the check number was not a number that had been issued to my wife. after getting the run-around from the bank for 2 days, they finally transfered us to their security department where thet finally admitted that it was a fake check and the person whose name is on it doesn't even have an account with them. we then filed a police report. the sheriff told us that that name and address on the check was probably picked at random and that because they didn't have a fraud department, it wouldn't be investigated. WTF? as it turns out, they guy whose name is on the check is actice duty air force. my wife called and talked to his first shirt who informed her that the guy is currently being kicked out of the air force and he is having financial issues as well as lots of other behavioral issues. he was certain that we had the right guy and turned all of the info over to security forces and the jag so they could investigate on the military side of things. the first shirt also encouraged us to press charges with the civilian police as well, but how do we do that if they won't even investigate? how do they have the man-power to set up speed traps and enforce seat-belt laws but not the man-power to investigate a real crime? we're handing them a prime suspect on a fucking silver platter and they won't even look into it. bullshit. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #2 July 8, 2008 He has easier, less important things to do. Like busting speeders to get more money for the department, harassing teenagers, and arresting people who have small amounts of pot that weren't even under the influence when stopped. You don't actually expect him to protect or serve do you? That shit takes effort. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
downwardspiral 0 #3 July 8, 2008 detectives don't write tickets. They're probably too busy with robbery/homicide to worry about a measly fraud case. It's unfortunate but at least his commander knows. No amount of jail time will equate to a dishonorable discharge.www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #4 July 8, 2008 Not completely sure but if you lodge a complaint with the guy's name on it they may be more obligated to do something. If that doesn't work try a small claims case against the dept. The cost of defending financially and politically will outweigh the cost of doing their job so they might act. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoop 0 #5 July 8, 2008 Quote If that doesn't work try a small claims case against the dept. The cost of defending financially and politically will outweigh the cost of doing their job so they might act. That won't go anywhere. You can;t hold the department liable for the costs Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #6 July 8, 2008 there aren't too many homicides here for them to worry about, most stuff here is petty crimes. we're pretty rural. the guy life is fucked already, but what i'm wanting is to find out how he got my wife's account number. she doesn't write checks at the local businesses, she doesn't pay any bills online, and none of our checks are missing. she does, however, have her paycheck direct deposited into that account. my fear is that he is in cahoots with someone from personnel. the more pressure that is on him, the more likely he is to tell how he got her info. we are also very careful to shred or burn anything with personal info on it, so we really need to know how her account number got out so we can prevent it in the future. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #7 July 8, 2008 small claims won't work, our money was returned so we can't show damages. the county sheriff is an elected position though, so pressure could be put on him if i had to. i'm hoping there's a less invasive way of getting something done. i live in a rural area with a small population and the last thing i want to do is be on the shit list of local law enforcement. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoop 0 #8 July 8, 2008 Quotei live in a rural area with a small population. I know it doesn't help your situation but that's probably where the problem starts. Lack of resources and specialist skills. You've got your money back though. Change your bank account details and put it all behind you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
downwardspiral 0 #9 July 8, 2008 Quotethere aren't too many homicides here for them to worry about, most stuff here is petty crimes. we're pretty rural. the guy life is fucked already, but what i'm wanting is to find out how he got my wife's account number. she doesn't write checks at the local businesses, she doesn't pay any bills online, and none of our checks are missing. she does, however, have her paycheck direct deposited into that account. my fear is that he is in cahoots with someone from personnel. the more pressure that is on him, the more likely he is to tell how he got her info. we are also very careful to shred or burn anything with personal info on it, so we really need to know how her account number got out so we can prevent it in the future. If that's the case then the sheriff should be excited to investigate. What a douchebag.www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #10 July 8, 2008 Ya, my point was to embarrass them, not to win. But I know what you mean about being careful about such tactics in a rural area. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
banesanura 1 #11 July 8, 2008 I hate to break it to you- but there isn't anything that is going to happen with this case. 1. The dollar amount is considered low for any authority to investigate- EVEN if you file a report 2. Fraud cases are rated by $ 3. The costs associated with finding and proving fraud is more work than a 30 something k salaried officer is willing to take on. Even if you report this to www.fakechecks.org or the FTC.gov No one is going to do shit unless its over 25k. Anything less than that amount isn't work the amount of work involved- according to most sources. I know it sounds shitty- but I have had to tell people this via phone for the past year that all the money in the bank is basically gone....thousands of dollars. The goverment isn't concerned with fraud- thats why there is so much of it. Plus with the ablity to mask IP address/locations/email address etc- people can pretty much get away with it if they don't get greedy... there isn't anything that we as citizens can do.... And to be honest- to upgrade the security on servers/computer systems is soooo expensive and generally a cost that a bank or private company isn't concerned with. It becomes too much overhead and more of a liablity than security. If I were you- I'd throw this back at the bank . How can they not read that the check didn't match? Then I would get media involved- start a blog- get with fraud activists and stir some shit up. Write to your local paper- go to the bbb.org Sorry to hear that I hope something works out.Best Girl Scout Ever. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 212 #12 July 8, 2008 Quote He has easier, less important things to do. Like busting speeders to get more money for the department, harassing teenagers, and arresting people who have small amounts of pot that weren't even under the influence when stopped. You don't actually expect him to protect or serve do you? That shit takes effort. Don't forget tazing . . he has to practice tazing.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #13 July 8, 2008 Sell the debt to some local motorcycle enthusiasts. The history of organized crime always starts with honest citizens not having official justice available. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
banesanura 1 #14 July 8, 2008 I would also review the terms and conditions that you currently have with your bank....to find a ....loop hole.... 1. Ask HOW did this "random" guy get your wifes account number???? 2. Ask HOW this check was cashed by completely ignoring the inaccurate information. 3. Ask your bank specific questions....Best Girl Scout Ever. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #15 July 8, 2008 i understand your points and i realize that $1000 isn't that much money to them, but shouldn't they at least look into the person whose name is on the check? holy fuck, if this guy is guilty, how hard would it be to prove it? if it turns out that he is innocent, then i understand that it would be hard to track down the guilty party, but i've handed them a solid lead, they should at least follow it. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #16 July 8, 2008 Go to the city/county attorney - they're the guys that prosecute bad check writers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 212 #17 July 8, 2008 FYI . . . From http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/2002/S1495.html b) A person is guilty of grand theft when he commits a theft as defined 23 in this chapter and when: 24 1. The value of the property taken exceeds one thousand dollars 25 ($1,000); or 26 2. The property consists of a public record, writing or instrument 27 kept, filed or deposited according to law with or in the keeping of 28 any public office or public servant; or 29 3. The property consists of a credit card check, draft or order for 30 the payment of money upon any bank, or a check, draft or order 31 account number, or a financial transaction card or financial transac- 32 tion card account number as those terms are defined in section 33 18-3122, Idaho Code; or 34 4. The property, regardless of its nature or value, is taken from 35 the person of another; or 36 5. The property, regardless of its nature and value, is obtained by 37 extortion; or 38 6. The property consists of one (1) or more firearms, rifles or 39 shotguns; or 40 7. The property taken or deliberately killed is livestock or any 41 other animal exceeding one hundred fifty dollars ($150) in value. 42 8. When any series of thefts, comprised of individual thefts having 43 a value of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or less, are part of a com- 2 1 mon scheme or plan, the thefts may be aggregated in one (1) count and 2 the sum of the value of all of the thefts shall be the value consid- 3 ered in determining whether the value exceeds one thousand dollars 4 ($1,000); or 5 9. The property has an aggregate value over fifty dollars ($50.00) 6 and is stolen during three (3) or more incidents of theft during a 7 criminal episode. For purposes of this subparagraph a "criminal epi- 8 sode" shall mean a series of unlawful acts committed over a period of 9 up to three (3) days. 10 (2) Petit theft. A person is guilty of petit theft when he commits a 11 theft as defined in this chapter and his actions do not constitute grand 12 theft.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #18 July 8, 2008 Quote Change your bank account details and put it all behind you. we've already closed all accounts with that bank along with cancelling credit cards that have no balance. what we need to do now is find out how to protect ourselves in the future. we're looking into identity theft insurance, but it looks like most of the services they provide are things we can do for ourselves. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #19 July 8, 2008 thanks, we will ask the bank some specific questions today. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #20 July 8, 2008 we're looking into zander and life-lock. we just need to figure out what we really need. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #21 July 8, 2008 Looks like they kept it just under the threshold for grand theft, and it's probably not worth the Sheriff's and DA's time to prosecute the guy for a misdemeanor where he'll plead out, pay a fine, and probably not even see the inside of a jail. If they can't actually get the guy off the streets, the cops usually aren't all that interested. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #22 July 8, 2008 i just got some good news. the deputy that took the report wants to find and interview the guy himself and then turn things over to the city police and the district attourney. sounds like even if the department doesn't investigate these things, this deputy is going to do the right thing. i'll bet he asked himself "what would aggiedave do?" "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #23 July 8, 2008 Quote our money was returned The cops will remember this. My understanding is the only time they come at you on a first offense is arson and murder.We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #24 July 8, 2008 Quote we've already closed all accounts with that bank But, they gave your money "back". It's their problem now. Is the bank dealing with it? Quote what we need to do now is find out how to protect ourselves in the future How did they get your account information to begin with? Quote we're looking into identity theft insurance, but it looks like most of the services they provide are things we can do for ourselves. IMO, that's a waste of money. Most reputable financial institutions close these matters out very quickly, and they're not publicized. What are they doing behind the scenes?We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #25 July 8, 2008 Quote the deputy that took the report wants to find and interview the guy himself "Local" cops tend to take the approach - if they did it once, they'll do it again. Big time. Then they get them with _overwhelming_ evidence, and they go to jail.We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
