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Hello I'm New here! Joined: 02 Dec 2009 Posts: 6

I was recently job hunting when I came across a "personal assistant" ad asking for help with sending orders and doing their personal shopping for them. I soon came to realize this was a scam based on what I have read here. I have not cashed any of the checks they were sending, nor have I given them any banking information or my ssn. I have however given them my address and phone number. I'm worried this was too much information. What should I do in order to stay safe?

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:20 pm

You should not bait them yourself then. Politely tell them that you are no longer interested in their offer.

You have nothing to worry about, you've done nothing to piss them off.
If they sent you stuff and they want it back, give it back.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 02 Dec 2009 Posts: 6

Well I told them I wasn't able to do the task because I had just found another job. Their check arrived that same day, now I have no idea what to do. Do I send it back? Shred it? Contact the police? I'm very confused, and getting a bit scared.

Master Baiter Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 123

I'd report it to the bank, I'm sure the customer would like to know who is trying to steal their money. Don't send them anything back

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:37 pm

You just got the check? Nothing to worry about. Just stop communicating, you said you were no more interested, and that's that. If the check is fake, just shred it and throw it in the trash. He will leave you alone when he figures out you're not going to give any money.

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:38 pm

Relax. They have no reason (or time) to be angry with you.

You can just ask them what to do with the cheque. If it is _from_ themselves, you can probably just shred it. If it is from someone else and they passed it on to you, they probably want it back.

Just don't cash it.

Edit: MOD, Should this thread be moved into HH&T?

@meloncoly: "Don't send them anything back" - I would say don't give them a reason to dislike you.
@caligula: You can't really tell whether a cheque is fake, and it may take weeks or months to bounce.

Also, rather than us sending mixed signals, maybe a mod can work with bundtcake2 in private.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 02 Dec 2009 Posts: 6

Will it hurt me that they have my address, email, phone number and name?

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:52 pm

^^Not to worry, check scammers are used to things going belly up, usually after the first few checks get returned, but often because people learn it's a scam. They won't spend time or money to go after you if you just ignore them. They'd much rather put their energy into recruiting new victims.

Did you receive/forward any packages?

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 02 Dec 2009 Posts: 6

I received a check via fedex delivery, I called the bank and they told me the account is legitimate. Obviously I know this is still a scam, but now I have a check for $2800 sitting in front of me and no idea what to do with it. Do I just shred it up? Do I send it back? Do I do nothing?

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:58 pm

Tear it up, or mark it fake or void in big letters. The account could be good, but the check could still be forged or stolen. Whatever you do, don't try to cash or deposit it. That's a crime, and the banks will probably take a hard line with you, regardless of where the check came from originally.

Edit: Even if the check "clears" that does not mean that the bank has assumed responsibility. They are required by law to give you access to funds on deposit within a few days. Weeks or months later when the check is rejected by the issuing bank or a clearing house, you will be required to pay the money back and you may face criminal charges.

Baiting Guru Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 3123

Quote:

Tear it up, or mark it fake or void in big letters.

Burn it.

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:02 pm

^^

But not indoors. Take advantage of the guaranteed safety of the great outdoors. Wink

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 02 Dec 2009 Posts: 6

I tore it up, threw it out, and I'm going to ignore the scammers from here on out. Any other precaution I should take?

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:19 pm

^^That should take care of it. Very Happy

Now it's time for revenge. Read up, get a mentor and give some other scammer hell. It's a lot of fun, costs nothing (besides time), and does some good in the process.

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:12 pm

I would also add that if you do get "threats", be aware that they are only that. No one will really come to your door, sue you, get you arrested, etc. You can check the email headers and see where they really are based on their IP. You have not taken any of their money and the fake checks are gone. They do not have the time (or resources) to fly from wherever they are to get to wherever you are.

If you get a threat that is particularly disturbing (ie you can see from the headers that they are near you --I've NEVER seen this, btw), you can call authorities, but for now, I'd just relax, ignore them, and do as the other members have wisely advised.

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:31 pm

bundtcake2 wrote:

[...] I'm very confused, and getting a bit scared.

bundtcake2 wrote:

[...] Any other precaution I should take?

I think baiting a nice refugee orphan or rich dying widow would take your mind off your worries.

419Eater is my life Joined: 07 Oct 2005 Posts: 419

You did the right thing. It is quite normal to feel nervous and scared when you receive a cheque like that in the mail. The scammer is counting on your greed to deposit and send them back the difference. as Bolleboos said, go and bait an ex dictators family member and all will be good again.