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Scammed
Posted 03-10-2009 at 04:06 PM by gemini56
I feel like a complete idiot...I fell victim to a money scam and I've lost out on $2500. Not only do I feel stupid, but I'm scared. Not all of you are aware of this, but I was laid off from my job 2 weeks ago. I only had my severence paycheck to live off of for the next 3-4 months while I was in school full time. I knew things would be tight, but manageable with a school loan. This scam wiped out my account! My bank doesn't protect me for this type of scam so I am filing reports with the police, the FBI, the attorney general...but everyone, even the police themselves said it will be 3 months before they even look at the case. By that time I will be homeless!!
I'm so sad, upset, embarassed, but mostly scared. I'm scared I'll be unable to pay for rent and food. I'm such an idiot. What the hell can I do?!?! I can't believe someone could have so much disregard for others as to steal this amount of money. *shaking my head in shame*
I'm so sad, upset, embarassed, but mostly scared. I'm scared I'll be unable to pay for rent and food. I'm such an idiot. What the hell can I do?!?! I can't believe someone could have so much disregard for others as to steal this amount of money. *shaking my head in shame*
Total Comments 17
Comments
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sorry to hear hun. how did it happen? email? the pyramid scheme?Posted 03-10-2009 at 04:54 PM by kguy
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Wow, sorry to hear that. You don't have to give exact details, but can you provide a little info on what kind of scam this was so that others reading this blog can avoid potentially falling for a similar scam?
And yes, there are plenty of souless people in this world who wouldn't hesitate for a second to steal someone's hard earned money, even more so in this economy. If it's any consolation, at least you're young and you'll land on your feet again. I just saw a heartbreaking news report about one particular phone scam that targets the elderly, and these are people on fixed incomes with few options to turn to.
Posted 03-10-2009 at 04:56 PM by AndyMillman
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yeah, in a downward economy, the scam artist come out and swindle those in need. I see it all the time, on the news, friends of friends... sorry to hear that happened to you. DO you have friends, family that can help out in the time being?Posted 03-10-2009 at 05:01 PM by Andrew
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Thanks
Thanks guys. I am not close to anyone but my Dad in my family and he can't help me out since he is on a fixed income and wouldn't be able to take care of himself. So, unfortunately, I don't have financial help.
The scam involved a company called PRM CONSULTING and essentially they sent me a cashier's check that was over the amount they owed me and I sent them the remainder via moneygram. A week later the check is bounced and invalid. Stupid, I know.Posted 03-10-2009 at 05:04 PM by gemini56
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Aww gem, I'm so sorry to hear this I'd probably do the same thing though, I mean a cashier's check, those are supposed to be good (unless they're fake I guess), you'd think your bank would be able to tell if it was or not when you deposited it. But I guess they can't really tell until it bounces.
*hugs*Posted 03-10-2009 at 05:28 PM by tigerlilly5
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Yikes! I've read about that cashier's check scam before, but if I've never heard of it, I'm sure I would've fallen for the same thing, especially if I recently lost my job. Did you sign up for unemployment? That should be enough to at least cover food. If you've lived at your place for a while maybe you can talk to your landlord about it? Our family hit financial straits while my dad was sick and the landlords were nice enough to let us slide for a bit, then again those were different times. Who knows, maybe you'll find a job offer right away and it'll all turn out alright. And 3 months!!!! wtf!!!!Posted 03-10-2009 at 06:18 PM by ChosunPride
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Damn, that sucks. Don't you have emergency funds to survive on? Haven't you ever heard of saving money for a rainy day? I don't know how old you are, but if you are in your 30's, you should have a significant amount in your savings/portfolio to fall back on in case of incidents like these.
The only thing I can suggest is to move in with your parents until you get back on your feet. Otherwise, if you live about 100 miles south on the coast, you can shack up with me! (I wish!)
Sorry to hear about your scam. Would you be so kind to give details on how you got scammed? I'm sure you weren't simply entering your SS# and other personal information on some shady website.Posted 03-10-2009 at 07:18 PM by RK831
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Oh no! I guess more and more schemers coming out of the woodwork. Do you have roommates? I'm sure they understand your situation. Would they be able to cover for your rent at least for the next month? Anyone you can turn to? What type of job are you looking for? I have contacts for a tutoring service that has offices in CA. Not sure if that would be up your alley...Posted 03-10-2009 at 07:20 PM by Sha259
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*hugs* Sorry to hear about that :( I hope things will get better very, very soon for you [COLOR="yellowgreen"]---[/COLOR][COLOR="green"]<[/COLOR][COLOR="YellowGreen"]---[/COLOR][COLOR="Green"]<[/COLOR][COLOR="Magenta"]@[/COLOR]Posted 03-10-2009 at 08:10 PM by HunnieBee
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To the dude who said something about having money for a rainy day you clearly haven't been through what I've been through in life. Saving is impossible for me when I have to pay for certain things and rent is HIGH in California. I don't even need to explain myself here but that really pissed me off.
To the rest of you - thank you so much for your kind words of "I'm sorry" and for the job offers. You are all very kind. For now....Posted 03-10-2009 at 08:39 PM by gemini56
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What goes around comes around...and it's coming around bad for some asshole out there.Posted 03-11-2009 at 12:15 AM by sleeplessinsd
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I am so sorry Gemini. And to the guy who talked about rainy day funds. I am in my 30's and can't save. I work in social work and do not make a lot of money. I make just enough to survive as a single mom, but I do it. Not everyone makes the kind of money where you can just stash a bunch every pay check. I am in a program where I have a small amount taken out and matched, but I can't access that unless it is an emergency and then I would lose a lot in penalties. Thats what my college degree got me, since I decided to work in a field that compensated the heart instead of monetarily.Posted 03-11-2009 at 04:51 AM by loraleena
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Just so you all know there is a scam going around regarding your credit card. You will get a message saying that there is an issues with your card (that someone has tried to access it) and they will give you a number to call back. The message seemed a bit strange, but I called the number. When I called I got this person who explained that someone had stolen their number and was giving it out and that these assholes were trying to get people to give them their account info - telling them that they needed that info to get to the bottom of the problem. Thank god this guy helped me. I like to think I wouldn't have given out that info. but maybe I would have! Never ever give out account info or soc. security numbers!Posted 03-11-2009 at 04:54 AM by loraleena
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Also beware of solicited phone calls. They might be legit but 99% scams. One day I got a call from the association of law enforcement (in any town) asking me to donate.. This rep said even 10 dollars would be appreciated... so "whats my CC#?" Oh yea.. if they had my CC#, would they really charge me only ten bucks as they promised? Nice try, I hung up.Posted 03-11-2009 at 01:46 PM by kguy
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Sorry to hear about what happened to ya. I'm sure you'll bounce back from this.
RK, apologize you old jackass.Posted 03-11-2009 at 04:10 PM by Nait
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Sorry to hear that gemini! I really hope something pops up to help you even if you can't see it yet.
The scam thing is weird, did it come via letter or email? Sorry, I didn't really understand it yet.
I have a rule of thumb which I follow to avoid being cheated. I keep close track of which companies I had business with and when someone else, ANYONE, writes me things, regardless if via email or via letter, which promise me anything or tell about a business I never agreed to then I disregard it. It goes into the trash.
We have a certain kind of spam these days where checks are sent out via mail and you get told you won something. The amount on the check is small, but some people really go to the bank and draw it in. Now the scammers have their bank data this way and in the next weeks they come and steal money from those accounts. When it is discovered the scammers have already fetched the cash and disappeared. People lose hundreds or thousands for jumping on a "gain" of one euro.
Don't feel stupid, you would be surprised on how many people get tricked these days, the scammers come up with new stuff daily and it's at times quite cleverly thought out.
But be safe in future! Just do it like me, file the companies where you really interacted with and disregard everyone else.
Some call me paranoid, but being suspicious gets more important every day. I got the funniest calls, emails and letters already. Fuck that shit!Posted 03-14-2009 at 12:18 PM by Lady_Fate
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Awww Gemini, I'm really sorry to hear of your recent news. I hope things get resolved for you very soon!Posted 03-30-2009 at 03:38 PM by Leannada
