| My x and I once had a friend tell us it is so rare to see anyone have money stolen. To have it done twice..is even more rare. Did you know that a robber that walks into a bank walks away with less money then one that forges checks? The problem is so serious that the banks don't like to reveal the extent of the problem. Estimates range from hundreds of millions to 10 billion dollars annually. (http://www.cpaonline.com) According to Ernst & Young more than 500 million checks are forged annually, with losses totaling more than $10 billion. Several years back we had someone who claimed to be a very close and dear friend stole a book of checks and freely wrote several checks to her self. Even went shopping with them at Target and Walmart.. Of course we found the difference on our bank statements. Funny thing is she took a book several down in the box. We went and looked at the checks for the fraudulent signatures. We were out 3,000. Our bank accounts were froze for the time period the bank needed to verify that it really was not me cashing the checks. In the end she confessed to writing the checks so she could support her drug habit. We were forced to get a restraining order, as she was a neighbor at that time her kids were very hostile to mine because she told them I was the one that put her in jail. In the end I learned to buy a safe and keep them in the safe at all times. Going over my statements was beneficial. Not to even trust people you think you have known for a long time. What can I do to prevent check fraud? � Since most check fraud starts with the theft of a check, you should keep your checks as safe as possible. � Always reconcile your bank statements as soon as you receive them. � If you use automated teller machines, do not write your PIN number on your card or anywhere in your wallet or checkbook for a thief to find. � Don't use checks or deposit slips as scratch paper. � Shred old checks and bank statements before you throw them away. � Fill in the payee line and amount line completely on any checks you write. Don't leave blank space that someone can alter. � Don't provide your bank information over the telephone. � Don't place outgoing mail in an unlocked box. � Install a lock on your mailbox. You can cut a slit in the mailbox large enough to slide mail through but not large enough to fit a hand through. . A relative in my immediate family also stole money from me. Not only had she stolen money, she had stolen my identity.Not hard concidering she could practicallt be my twin. I do not know how but she managed to get an old ID of mine walked into my bank and pretended to be me with drew all of my money from my account leaving probably 5 dollars in it. Knowing that we were going to take a trip that weekend. We checked our account to see just how much we could take out. Five dollars was not enough LOL. Once again we started the process all over again.the bank had a camera and had taken pictures they said Look see it is you! I replied with a look see she is wearing a tank top an she has scars I have none!!! I Filed a report and pressed charges she had a warrant out for her arrest or at least several because she managed to get my mothers credit card #. She also pressed charges. I found out she was in jail due to my mom's charges. The police never actually charged her till last year 2004 she was " cleaning up her life ". She had married again and I going through my own life exsperiences with my ex husband. I testified in her behalf that she had changed. She recieved a fine and community service and probation for 2 years. My record has since been cleared. I have had a few things done to keep this from happening anymore. What I learned from this experience, to have a password on my account. It works. In order for me to with drawl I had to give my password. I also have to so where the credit companies have to contact me to make sure I was the one that applied for a credit card or ran my credit history. So here are a few links to several places if you have had this done to you!!! Or you would like to get more information how to PREVENT it from happening to you.This is here to inform you. Learn from my experiences. |
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