Elvira

I need your help, guys...

I don't know the full story yet (as I'm back in the UK), but these are the bare bones:

One of my sons was given a large check which he paid into his bank account. He then transferred the sum to someone via Western Union.

You guessed it - the check bounced.

I know - how could he be so stupid... But the milk is spilled.

Any suggestions or advice?

Thanks, guys!

joto

I don't know if the FBI would get involved as it seems it might be check fraud. What does his bank have to say? Good luck to your son.

Pulaski

If he drew cash and used WU to transfer the money, he's s¢rewed. If he transferred the money electronically to WU he should inform his bank immediately, there is a small chance they can recall the transfer, ..... but the likelihood is that he is s¢rewed.

This is an all too common fraud, and is very successful because of people's naivity.

Pulaski

The FBI would be interested in fraud against the bank, they will have no interest whatsoever in fraud against an individual. Sorry.

fatbrit

Disown him.

Bob

Yeah, pretty much.

Not looking good, unless the bank puts a stop on the transfer, but that doesn't sound likely to happen as it has to be done quickly.

GeoffM

So how long does it take a check to clear into your bank account? Presumably the fraudsters assume you'll go to WU ASAP and then the check bounces later.

Just yesterday I had an email from a Craigslist "buyer" who wanted my details to send a check, plus a $50 bonus. I mean, seriously, who pays $50 on top of something advertised at $125?

Here's the text:
Shall I post the email address?

tonrob

I was selling some watches on Craigslist, and some dodgy fucker e-mailed me asking me to take my advert down and offering to basically pay double what I was asking. I did not respond.

GeoffM

Yes, I'll not be responding. Getting a certified check and mailing by UPS/Fedex is going to cost another couple of tenners too. I'm sure more people would fall for it if it wasn't for the unnecessary embellishments.

DavidLemon

Have a friend whos sister sold her dress on CL. The person buying it sent her a check fo a couple of grand when it was only listed for a couple of hundred. She stupidly banked the check, but refused to send the change back and also refused to send the dress until it had cleared. They threatened her for a few days, but alas the end result was predictable and the check bounced. She was dumb to think it would have been genuine, but luckily her hubby insisted she waited it out.

The bank told her that had she drawn on the check then she would have been legally responsible for it and that she would have had to repay. That was a few years ago, but im sure BofA still follow the same process even now.

My advice. Man up talk to the bank and explain that he was taken for a mug. Show them the proof and then hopefully it can be resolved amicably. I doubt your son will get away scott free from this saga, so look to be saving his pocket money for some years to come.
Hide from it and boy he be screwed big time.

AZ_Alba

I have heard of bank certified checks taking upto six weeks or more before they bounce.

GeoffM

I thought certified checks were a guarantee that the check wouldn't bounce - but it would appear that only applies to cashier checks, not certified checks. http://www.credittoday.net/public/1480.cfm

kimilseung

me too! glad I have now been informed. (and now with a little bit more sympathy for those scammed like this)

AZ_Alba

Even a cashiers check will not be honored if it is a counterfeit, there have been a lot of these linked to buyer scams on sites like eBay and Craigslist.

Basically if it seems to be to good to be true it probably is a fraud.
Although we normally like to give people the benefit of the doubt, I would suggest be suspicisious.

HarryTheSpider

Terrible situation, to be sure.

I presume son is now wiser? Perhaps one way to look at it is as investment in son's education.

I bit screwed by a business partner many moons ago. In the end we had to sell the house and use equity to settle things. My own stupid fault, for sure.

But I think that £20k loss at the time was behind some excellent education that would have likely cost more & been less effective from a good business school...

I just wish it had not happened at that particular time, and that I could have planned for it

I hope this does get resolved soon. Let us know how things turn out. This thread has already been informative about check clearance etc.