Termyn8or
Posts: 18681
Joined: 11/12/2005
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I guess some people have to be told everything.
If you give me a check for ANYTHING, ANYTHING I got your routing number. I can call a creditor that takes check by phone, give them the amount I am paying, all the numbers and they will tell me to write void on the check and record the amount in my (your) ledger. The funds are transferred electronically. I could call your bank first to find out about how much money is in the account to make for the most profit.
Realize people that anyone can do this, and since the original check is never actually cashed or deposited you have no proof. Put it this way, if I sold you a car and scammed you this way, the transfer of certificate of title would funish evidence, but in the case of other goods, a TV, a roomful of furniture and so forth, there would be no record. I could buy that plasma TV, have it shipped to an associate who is about to move anyway, and you would have a very hard time even getting a dime back. If I disavow any knowledge of you or the transaction, you have a tough road to climb to get me. Conversely I could say that during the negotiation we got into a heated argument and that you threatened me after I insulted you and said that you would "get me" somehow. YOU might wind up in jail instead of me if I play my cards right.
Still want to write checks all over town ? Amma tellya right now, personal checks belong in envelopes. Now of course even as you write your monthly check to Citibank for example, an employee there could pull the same thing, however, internal company rules do not have the burden of proof of a criminal case, so they could lose their job, and if the company assists in the prosecution they would likely go to the slammer.
Also, never write a check to a doctor, lawyer, hospital or any goverment agency if you can avoid it. Giving anyone a personal check makes you very "collectable". I know of one person who paid a partial hospital bill by personal check to find their account frozen a few days later. One of the papers they signed waived notice of legal action. Yes that is right.
If you really are too afraid to carry your own money around, either just get an account with free ATM and take out the cash as needed. Also you can keep one clear credit card, use it and just pay it off every month. Make sure the card is swiped, not simply numbers entered. That way you are pretty sure they can't put in for a recurring charge, which will enable them to charge your account at a later date.
Health spas are the worst from what I have heard, but that was a while back. It was so damn difficult to get the recurring charges off the credit card, the guy had to report it lost/stolen. Then they issue a card with a new number, that was the only way to stop the charges.
Protecting your money is very important, and in this day and age everybody wants it. Automatic payments are an anethma, even utility bills. When you get a bill in the mail, read it, is the amount right or are there a bunch of new charges ? Like on the phone bill, a new surcharge for using your longdistance company. If it is paid automatically, you don't know until your next statement. If it is in your face as you write checks, hopefully from an account that only has about $10 in it above the checks you write, you see it and can basically can that longdistance company forthwith. You can even refuse to pay it, remitting only the portion of the charges that go to the local phone company. You will still have a phone.
Let's say you pay about $300 per quarter for water and sewage, if that bill all the sudden becomes $1,000 and you haven't moved in a slew of people who all shower four times a day, something is wrong. It could be a leak. It would be best to find out about it ASAP right ?
Somebody in your house ordering alot of PPV movies ? Calling those five buck a minute chat lines while you are at work ? How long would you wish to wait before finding out about it ?
Speaking of those chat lines, there is a simple defense against collection actions by any of them. I was shacked up for a short time years ago, and she did just that, ran me up about $400 worth. My Father, he really has his moments. He said to tell them that the girl was under eighteen. My credit is fine. To take action against me wiould be a prima facie admission of pandering. They want no part of it.
Of course sex lines, chat lines and all that have been around, but they used to require a credit card. Those 900 and 976 numbers are there strictly to make money, turning the telco into an unwitting accomplice in fraud. As such I have no morality in dealing with these people.
When I buy something from a private party online, they get a postal money order. I might get screwed, but I know the amount. Send them a personal check, better hope they don't know anyone overseas.
Speaking of my Father, up until recently he has never ever bought anything online. He has used his card over the phone though. Well one day he gets a call from the issuing bank, someone tried to use his card in Italy ! He has never been to Italy. I have explained to him that a secure server is safer than a human being, who could easily write down all the numbers and buy themself something nice. I told him look at the URL, it should be https, not http.
At any rate, meandering back to the core subject, even if you have no credit, they now have pre-charged debit cards. Those are better. A regular CC is better. ANYTHING is better than a personal check if you have any interest in not getting screwed out of your hard earned.
So the story about this particular scam was a hoax, but it could happen. Similar things have happened. And it's not always the employees. Be careful out there, you can't trust anyone. Actually you can trust me, but you have no way of knowing that so, in essence, I advise you not to trust me. I wouldn't. I have actually gotten to the point in my life where I don't want other people's goodies, but I think that is pretty rare. And not just among people, you can't trust the phone company, the electric company, none of them. And don't even get me started on the gubmint.
T
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cam check scam - 
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