Beware the Latest Credit Card Scam

Fraudulent checks were printed and cashed in another city that went through our account. We caught this early when only four checks had been cashed. The checks had our B of A routing number and our account number with similar but ficticious names and a similar but non-existent address. One of the checks had my wife's correct driver's license number on it, obviously written by the clerk who cashed it - so a fake driver's license had also been created. B of A was very cooperative in immediately crediting us with the amounts that had been deducted from our account and in flagging the account as fraudulent so no more checks would be processed, but beyond that it was all up to us. We spent well over 6 weeks of work getting Affidavits notarized and submitted to B of A, Credit Reporting Agencies, a Check collection agency, police departments, etc., swearing we did not cash the checks and had no knowledge of who did. (This is not easy because nearly every organization has a different form.) Worse, one check was cashed at Walmart, which doesn't send your check through the Bank - they scan and collect the electronic information at the cash register and give the check back to you, so there was no copy of the fraudulent check cashed and therefore no false signatures, no false names or false bank image. They turned it over to a collection agency, which was rude and treated us like criminals, making it very difficult to get the paperwork submitted and "investigated" before finally backing off. Worse, now there was a fraudulent driver's license in use with my wife's real number and a similar name and address. We feared this id could be used in various criminal schemes and the police could issue a warrant for her arrest. The state driver's license bureau was very uncooperative, callous and belligerent in getting a new driver's license number issued. Local police did not want to handle the matter because the checks were not cashed here. Police in the city where they were cashed didn't care because it is routine and they don't have the manpower, plus we were not citizens of that city. But you need a police report for the affidavits. Only after great pressure did they take a police report and only gave us the number after repeated phone calls. We never discard checks or any sensitive information in the trash, shredding everything. But retail outlets often write down your number on checks. Plus, the check with the DL# is seen by many in the processing. Doctor's offices and others want to make copies of your DL. Beware! Do not allow anyone to write down your DL# or make a copy of your DL. Get a locking mailbox and use electronic statements with strong passwords and ids. This is a nightmare!

Bob Williams of TX 11:16AM March 15, 2009