I’m a Victim of the Fake Money Order Scam. What Can I Do? – Emmanuel

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March 3, 2010

“Dear Steve,

Hi. I am a eighteen year old student who just recently started college. I have a big problem and I don’t know what to do. I recently took a a job online. I was told I was going to get paid $300 dollars. The boss at the time sent my three money order checks of 900 ($2700). I went and deposit it to the bank. During this week, the bank call me saying that the money orders where bounce and now I owe $2700 to the bank. I didn’t know they where fake money orders and now I don’t know what to do. Is there any way I can get out of this because I don’t have money to pay this. Help please.

Emmanuel”

Steve’s Answer:

Dear Emmanuel,

I’m so sorry to hear that you are a another victim of the fake money order scam. The scammers are clever. The money orders they send look real, but they are not.

The problem is that the moment you deposit those money orders in the bank you are personally guaranteeing the funds until they clear. The scammer knows it will take a few days for the funds to clear so in the meantime the scammer asks you to send the extra part of the money back.

Then, as you know, the bank will notify you the money orders are no good but you’ve already taken the money from the bank, that the bank advanced you, and send it off typically via Western Union or MoneyGram.

As a fraud victim you should report this to your local police department but you will still be responsible for paying the bank back what you owe. You’ll have to make a payment repayment plan with the bank.

Big hug.

@GetOutOfDebtGuy