Someone stole checks from us

[Chris_]

We're not sure when it happened.  We RARELY write checks.  The only place that gets a check from us is daycare.  We are on check 430 or so.  The check written was 344.  These idiots spent $54 at Walmart.  I guess they couldn't wait for their government check.  I am fuming.  We don't know how this happened.  We do not carry our checkbooks with us.  EVER!

Wells Fargo blocked out ALL checks except for the daycare check we wrote today.  Our debit cards will still work.  Tomorrow we are going in to the bank to open a new account.  Which now means my husband & I have to change our direct deposit accounts for our pay, bills, etc. 

Wells Fargo opened up an investigation with Walmart.  This shit just pisses me off.  I'd like to know how they got these checks from us.

[BlueStateSaint]

We're not sure when it happened.  We RARELY write checks.  The only place that gets a check from us is daycare.  We are on check 430 or so.  The check written was 344.  These idiots spent $54 at Walmart.  I guess they couldn't wait for their government check.  I am fuming.  We don't know how this happened.  We do not carry our checkbooks with us.  EVER!

Wells Fargo blocked out ALL checks except for the daycare check we wrote today.  Our debit cards will still work.  Tomorrow we are going in to the bank to open a new account.  Which now means my husband & I have to change our direct deposit accounts for our pay, bills, etc. 

Wells Fargo opened up an investigation with Walmart.  This shit just pisses me off.  I'd like to know how they got these checks from us.

Jess, get a shreder.  Use it religiously.  Our daughter loves to run things that need shredding through it.  My wife isn't as security conscious as me about these things, and it irks me.  One of these days, our accounts are going to be hacked, and she'll wonder why.

[Thor]

It's tough to say where your info may have gotten compromised. It could have been from your Day Care, a careless move on the internet, or from your garbage. Wells Fargo is pretty good to deal with in these instances, at least from what I have experienced. All someone needs is your account number, ABA number and they can wreak havoc with a person's banking account.

[true_blood]

I shred all my old documents as well. It's time consuming, but it's better to be safe.

[Airwolf]

The same thing happened to me not long ago. Someone inColorado was cashing checks using the account mumber and the routing number to my account . Wrote over 1K in checks using different names male and female. AWfter the bank called and I closed the account that was it .

[Chris_]

They had a physical check in their hands though.  That's where we are confused.  We don't know how they managed to get a blank check from us.  The person wrote a check out to Walmart at one of our Las Vegas stores.  Wells Fargo said it will take 7-10 days to credit back the money.  It's just not something I wanted to wake up to this morning.

We are going to Target later, so we can check out some shredders.  I'll get one that can also cut up credit cards too.

[JohnnyReb]

I shred all my old documents as well. It's time consuming, but it's better to be safe.

I burn 'em.

[Chris_]

I haven't gotten around to buying a paper shredder, but I bought a second trash can for 'sensitive' documents.

[BlueStateSaint]

I'll get one that can also cut up credit cards too.

Ours does.  Johnny, I've considered using the cuttings from the shredder to start a charcoal grill, for example.

[true_blood]

We are going to Target later, so we can check out some shredders.  I'll get one that can also cut up credit cards too.

I have one that does paper and credit cards. Haven't use the credit card shredder yet though.
They're like 40 bucks at Staples/Office Max. Pretty decent.

[Thor]

One can get checks made up with someone else's name, address, account numbers, etc and have the address different. If they had your original check, then it may have been "washed", a process which removes the handwritten ink. If it was the actual original check with the right address, then I'd look closely at the place to where it was originally written.

http://www.ckfraud.org/washing.html

[NHSparky]

Check manufacturing has changed in the last couple of years...now, if someone tries to wash a check, the entire check shows it.

It's also why I use duplicate (carbonless) checks, and KEEP them.  That way, if someone comes back and says this check was written on such and such date to such and such person, etc., I can go yea or nay...and PROVE it.

[Thor]

Check manufacturing has changed in the last couple of years...now, if someone tries to wash a check, the entire check shows it.

It's also why I use duplicate (carbonless) checks, and KEEP them.  That way, if someone comes back and says this check was written on such and such date to such and such person, etc., I can go yea or nay...and PROVE it.

I suppose it kind of depends on from where one obtains their checks. The article even stated that SOME check manufacturers have included a "VOID" marker that would show up if a check were washed. I used to buy from those places that advertised in the Sunday papers because they were WAY cheap. I don't write that many checks any more. Pretty much only at Sam's Club and the check is ACH processed immediately and returned to me right away. (My debit card always comes up as a credit card for some reason)

[crockspot]

They had a physical check in their hands though.  That's where we are confused.  We don't know how they managed to get a blank check from us.  The person wrote a check out to Walmart at one of our Las Vegas stores.  Wells Fargo said it will take 7-10 days to credit back the money.  It's just not something I wanted to wake up to this morning.

We are going to Target later, so we can check out some shredders.  I'll get one that can also cut up credit cards too.

So the physical check is actually missing from your check book... that means it was someone you probably know... babysitter? relative? neighbor?

[Lacarnut]

So the physical check is actually missing from your check book... that means it was someone you probably know... babysitter? relative? neighbor?

Correct. If you do not have 2 checks (#344) that were cashed, then someone stole the check probably at your house if you do not carry your check book around. I also do not understand how someone can cash a check without identification. Go back to the date in between check #343 and check #345 and see if you can remember who was in your house on that date.

[Thor]

Correct. If you do not have 2 checks (#344) that were cashed, then someone stole the check probably at your house if you do not carry your check book around. I also do not understand how someone can cash a check without identification. Go back to the date in between check #343 and check #345 and see if you can remember who was in your house on that date.

Walmart is the worst at requiring Identification now that they process checks through ACH. Sam's is right there with them.

[thundley4]

Walmart is the worst at requiring Identification now that they process checks through ACH. Sam's is right there with them.

But Walmart will check your ID for buying cigarettes even if you are gray and going bald. WTF?

[Thor]

But Walmart will check your ID for buying cigarettes even if you are gray and going bald. WTF?

LOLzzzzzzzzzzzzz......... YEP and they won't sell knives to people under 18....... 

[IassaFTots]

LOLzzzzzzzzzzzzz......... YEP and they won't sell knives to people under 18....... 

You also have to show your id for spray paint. 

[debk]

But Walmart will check your ID for buying cigarettes even if you are gray and going bald. WTF?

And beer.

[NHSparky]

And beer.

And cold medications.  Mustn't be developing those little meth labs, now.

[Chris_]

We're not really sure how the check was stolen.  The book that the check was stolen from was from about a year (or more) ago.  We never have people over.  No babysitter, Carleigh's in an actual daycare center.  In order to find our checks, you would have to do a lot of digging.  They aren't just sitting out for one to grab when we're not looking.  It's just a headache.

We do have our new account set up though.  Still waiting for the refund from the money stole.  Hoping we get it tomorrow or Friday.

[vesta111]

We're not really sure how the check was stolen.  The book that the check was stolen from was from about a year (or more) ago.  We never have people over.  No babysitter, Carleigh's in an actual daycare center.  In order to find our checks, you would have to do a lot of digging.  They aren't just sitting out for one to grab when we're not looking.  It's just a headache.

We do have our new account set up though.  Still waiting for the refund from the money stole.  Hoping we get it tomorrow or Friday.

I got an odd one for for you guys,

My bro in law lived with us and because of his hart, a pace maker was implanted he had a disability from his work.

This poor man because of a childhood disease could not read or write much  more then his name.  He had worked over 40 years here and there 20 years at his last job.

 Here is where it gets really weird, he was 2 weeks over due for his disability check and on his own he called the company to ask what the problem was, they told him they had the cashed check back from a out of state bank.    They sent him the photo of the front and back of the check.

 The signature was his, but the bank it was cashed in had no license or Id on it.   So He on his own asked about the the film recording transactions at that bank, there were none.

I was so proud of him for taking charge of his life, and he received another check in the mail. My question, how did anyone get that check, was his signature traced from something.?

[Thor]

It's called, "Mail theft".

[Chris_]

It's called, "Mail theft".

We don't mail checks.  We do all online bill pay.  Our rent is even paid online.  Whatevvvaaaaaa.  I hope they enjoyed our "free" money.