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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    1

    Default Cheated by a Prospective Roommate with a Bad Check

    My question involves criminal law for the state of:

    Recently I posted on Craigslist (because that's what you do in California) that I was looking for a roommate. After receiving about 50 emails and a phone call with a particular woman - I believed we had found just that. She stated that she was moving from TX to CA and that she was sending us a rent check for $1500. Along with that - she was sending her things up before she got here due to having to go to a seminar and in another state and would be behind her things by a day. So her things could be delivered - she also added to the check - $2940. This check was then deposited into our bank account which of course put a hold on it. I expected this - but the bank then released the hold and told us that all money from that check was available for use. So we took out the $2940 that was to pay for her things to arrive and sent it to the shipping company (which we had all the information for) as well as paid our rent. Come the next morning we find that we are in a GIANT red hole because not only has the bank taken back what money was given to us - but the check hadn't ACTUALLY cleared and turned out to be fraudulent.

    What can I do to fix this and isn't it ACTUALLY my bank's fault for releasing the funds if they weren't actually there?!?!?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    California
    Posts
    20,594

    Default Re: Roommate Scam - Could Be Banks Fault

    This is a very old scam ... and you fell for it. It is not the bank's fault, it is how the system works and has to do with timing issues, etc.

    Contact the bank and advise them that you got taken in the scam. Also contact the police and make a report. With the police report, you may find that you may minimize you damages. Your bank may hold you accountable ... or, they may not.

    NEVER EVER, EVER accept these kinds of huge checks! This is a variation on an old scam.

    Check this link for more info:

    http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/cons...dit/cre40.shtm

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