I got scammed

[evilsgood]

The new year was approaching, I was short on cash and my roommate was moving out. Had to make money to cover rent. So I decided to go online and sell jewellry I'd bought on a vacation that didn't go to the person it was originally intended for.

Posted an ad, got a response. Was a bit wary (who wouldn't be) but things seemed okay. Money orders arrived in the mail. I said thanks but I won't send out the stuff 'til they clear. I was trying to be careful. Didn't wanna get caught up.

On the 31st of December the hold was released and money put into my account. I thought things were kosher. After all, the bank told me they needed to contact the original bank to verify. I mailed the jewellry and wired the overpayment. (Should've been the first WTF when they overpaid and said 'whoops'.)

Found out today that the first money order was returned. The second one's on its way. It sucked up all my savings. I've got exactly zero now. No savings for rent at the end of the month, no money to pay bills now and it's just gonna get worse from here.

On Monday I'm filling out the forms with the bank for fraud and filing a police report. I already know nothing will come from this; it'll be next to impossible to catch these crooks. I'm out serious cash and the jewellry now. Can't get groceries, can't even afford to leave the house 'til Friday when I get paid (and then probably lose most of the pay to cover the overdraft from the second money order).

I have only myself to blame for this.

Last October someone hacked into my account and busted me then too. Took a month to resolve. And because of the bouncing around, it fucked up my rating and any monies I put in that isn't a direct deposit.

I think... I think I'm gonna give up. It's not worth trying to make a go of it any longer. The only thread I'm holding onto right now is that I'm a fan of BSG and I need to know how it ends. (Sad, huh?)

 

[LKD]

imagine the money you'd have if you never hobbied

 

[aabbaa1975]

Really Sorry to hear your situation! I use to work in the fraud department of a major bank and their are many individuals that fall for this trap...so don't be so hard on yourself, there is always tommorow. In terms of your current cashflow situation, can you not borrow that money from someone for the time being?

 

[BULLRYDER]

Hang in there fella. Carma has a good way of taking care of those frauders. This kind of activity also happens when renting property. I was lucky because a friend of mine told me about the scam. As for LKD, nice to know that you would kick someone when they are down.

 

[evilsgood]

Thankfully I have the paper trail in email and wire transfer, etc. They gave a name and address for shipping purposes (it wasn't a P.O. box) but I dunno how much that'll help.

 

[W3bster]

Don't worry, you've come to the right place. TERB is full of millionaires who like throwing $100 bills to bums on the street for kicks and some who live with their parents.

 

[SamSmith]

What do you guys know about that catalog business called SMP? It's similar to Amway. I know a relative that just ordered their catolog. I hear it's really hard to make a profit with that unless you have a call center and make calls 24/7 and even then you're not guaranteed good profit.

 

[evilsgood]

Don't worry, you've come to the right place. TERB is full of millionaires who like throwing $100 bills to bums on the street for kicks and some who live with their parents.

Dude I'm not looking for a bloody handout. I needed to rant. Nice to know a couple people on this board aren't afraid to mock.

 

[SamSmith]

Someone swiped my account last last mth from a toronto atm while I was out of the province with my card.

I found out from going over my bank statement. I had the card changed right away and filed a complaint. Took me a mth to get a refund from the bank.

Too bad the crooks got away with it.

 

[rafterman]

Damn bad luck, and it seems like you were fairly desperate for the cash which made you vulnerable.

Just for future reference to all reading this thread this is a classic scammer tactic, here is the cash plus x (provide some bs reason for the over payment) please send back the extra with the goods.

Your out the goods and the cash (overpayment).

Fraudulent drafts come back as a chargeback to your account weeks later and Banks not going to eat your loss.

Good luck with your predicament.

 

[CapitalGuy]

Are you going to kill yourself? Is that the point of your rant? Buddy that's fucked, if that's what you mean. Move in with a friend or family member for a bit, rent free until you can afford it. Start over. Do you have a job already? If so, your savings will grow again. If not, get one. Join the Army. Go on unemployment. Lots of people have bottomed out financially; it might seem like the end but far from it. Shake your head man, this is a big deal but hardly the end. Fuck, the fact that you have computer access and clothes on your back and a TV to watch BSG on, makes you richer than half the people on earth.

 

[evilsgood]

No, it just means I might drop off the social face of the earth for a while and regroup.

Mind you, given this latest cock-up, I'll probably lose the internet and cable soon until things get better.

 

[a 1 player]

No, it just means I might drop off the social face of the earth for a while and regroup.

Mind you, given this latest cock-up, I'll probably lose the internet and cable soon until things get better.

Been in the same place you are financially, a couple of times. Far worse actually. Yes it does suck, no doubt about it, but there is an upside...

The only place there is to go is up.

 

[tboy]

I am a little curious: if the money orders were returned as NSF, how could they suck up all your savings? The only thing they should have done is just removed whatever amount they were for, from your bank account, not MORE than they were for.

As for someone hacking into your account, I had someone do the same to me only they went into the bank personally. The money was refunded within 24 hrs.

 

[JEFF247]

I am surprised people are still falling for this overpaid MO/cashiers check scam. It's been out for a few years after being started by Nigerians. I am equally surprised that the banks continue to be aiding in this crime. They should tell customers about the high risk involved. And then they take forever to tell you you got scammed. Of course, if they alerted you of the high risk they wouldn't be able to rip you off with the overdraft charges.

 

[evilsgood]

I am a little curious: if the money orders were returned as NSF, how could they suck up all your savings? The only thing they should have done is just removed whatever amount they were for, from your bank account, not MORE than they were for.

The money was used for rent; so it was no longer n my account when it was returned nsf.

 

[tboy]

The money was used for rent; so it was no longer n my account when it was returned nsf.

Yes, but then it was the RENT not the money order that sucked up your savings and that rent was due no matter what. Sorry you got taken and yeah, I'd be blaming the bank for honoring the Money Order after "they" cleared it. I can't believe shit like this still happens in this day and age of electronic money processing.

I am wondering also, where did this money order come from? If it was from a Canadian Bank when you buy a money order, that money is GONE and you can't just walk in and stop payment on it like a cheque, I believe you need the payee portion in order to do that.

 

[Cycleguy007]

Been in the same place you are financially, a couple of times. Far worse actually. Yes it does suck, no doubt about it, but there is an upside...

The only place there is to go is up.

I have also been in this situation... years ago... lost my job, no savings at the time, wife and 3 kids to support... rent was due, hydro, gas... I was living paycheck to paycheck at the time and then it all came crashing down... toughest time I ever had. I wasn't so much worried about myself, but the wife and 3 kids that DEPENDED ON ME to survive!

I don't know how old you are, but I can tell you this, things have a way of working out- but you gotta go out and make it happen for yourself. You will get through this... and you will become a much stronger individual in the long run.

I am sure there are many on this board who have been through the same or similar situation... its a part of growing up.

Was it Nietzsche that said: "That which does not kill us makes us stronger"

Life is what you make of it... now go out and make it for yourself!

 

[RTRD]

Does...

..Canada Post issue money orders?

I know USPS issues money orders, and they are the safest kind, because you have to pay CASH for them, and they are backed by the U.S. Government. A lot of people will only take USPS money orders for transactions such as this in the United States.

I am just curious...does Canada Post issue money orders?

 

[RTRD]

Yeah....

I have also been in this situation... years ago... lost my job, no savings at the time, wife and 3 kids to support... rent was due, hydro, gas... I was living paycheck to paycheck at the time and then it all came crashing down... toughest time I ever had. I wasn't so much worried about myself, but the wife and 3 kids that DEPENDED ON ME to survive!

I don't know how old you are, but I can tell you this, things have a way of working out- but you gotta go out and make it happen for yourself. You will get through this... and you will become a much stronger individual in the long run.

I am sure there are many on this board who have been through the same or similar situation... its a part of growing up.

Was it Nietzsche that said: "That which does not kill us makes us stronger"

Life is what you make of it... now go out and make it for yourself!

...been there, done that myself, with two fewer kids.

In fact, I've been flat out broke four different times in my life, and I'm only 42.

You are right - you have to just dig down and suck it up, do what you have to do. It is very easy to get discouraged...you have to hang in there...