Someone has been tapping into my bank account!!!

[K9karen]

Hey, Donna! We have another thing in common..I've been with Citizens bank (and their "old" names) since I was 6 yo and banked $1 a week at school! Great service, friendly, helpful people. I'm glad you got your money back. I know I check all my accounts with a fine tooth comb all the time.

[catnapper]

OMG! I keep seeing the commercials for that company, and I felt like they were a sleezy scam.... turns out they are! I would be FURIOUS if I were you.

So glad you caught it and the bank is reversing all charges. You are lucky since most banks wouldn't so it. I know even with my bank it varies on branches. I have two accounts. One opened where I used to live, another opened here. If I happen to overdraft one, they ALWAYS reverse the fee without a problem. The other account makes me threaten to leave the bank before they reverse the fee. I was told by my local branch that the fees is how each individual bank makes it money. Now... I made it sound like I always am overdrafted. I am - I'm AWFUL at keeping my checkbook balanced!

[joanofark]

OMG! I keep seeing the commercials for that company, and I felt like they were a sleezy scam.... turns out they are! I would be FURIOUS if I were you.

I think Freecreditreport called our house one day asking my mom for info on her bank acount, trying to get into it!! Thank goodness she didn't tell them anything!!

[sirrahbed]

I also hear those commercials on the TV and then after reading your post Donna - I googled freecreditreport scam and it turned up lots and lots of posts about bank account ripoffs.

I am sorry that this happened to you but so glad that your bank is helping you. This is scary isn't it??

[moosmom]

I never would've given it a second thought because my account is overdrawn frequently. However, it didn't make sense when I was putting a whole lot of money into it and never making a dent negative balance. I'm going to ask the manager of the bank to look further to see if they've done it before and I never noticed.

I also am very bad about balancing my check book. That is until this happened. I'm calling the Attorney General's office tomorrow and the better business bureau to report them. I'm also going to open up a whole new checking account so that it will never happen again.

[jazzcat]

Donna I'm just curious, did you do business with them and give them your bank account info? I'm just wondering how they got it in the first place.

[moosmom]

I signed up for a free credit report but never, and I mean NEVER gave them any information on my bank account. They did require my social security number, so I'm thinking that's what did it. I can see now that was a HUGE mistake.

[jazzcat]

I signed up for a free credit report but never, and I mean NEVER gave them any information on my bank account. They did require my social security number, so I'm thinking that's what did it. I can see now that was a HUGE mistake.

Oh wow, good to know. Thanks!

[moosmom]

I just googled Freecreditreport.com scams and this is what I found. I'm not the only person who has been scammed by these people, who happen to be one of the biggest credit reporting companies in the country, Experian!!!!

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/credi...sumerinfo.html

I think I am going to be sick!!! I filed a complaint with consumer affairs as well.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

How terrible!! I'm glad you are able to get your money back. Good idea about contacting the BBB, they really do help people! I hope that place gets into trouble.

[moosmom]

I'm also getting the media involved. Channel 8 here in New Haven has a consumer reporter. I have a feeling that not many people know about this scam. I sure didn't. If nothing else, I'll get my 15 seconds of fame and will alert people to this rip off.

[DJFyrewolf36]

Good for you for getting the media involved! Ive been ripped by "credit counseling" places and such, I learned never ever give any info to these people...even my SSN or my name for that matter.

[smokey the elder]

I was going to sign up for a credit reporting service, since I have vulnerabilities (Paypal, accounts set up with various vendors, a first and second mortgage, etc.) But I think there's a law that you can get a free credit report once a year, which was a provision in the new bankruptcy code. I think it stinks when a well-known company like Experian stoops to such tactics. I think a media blitz and some investigative reporting by 60 Minutes are in order here.

[moosmom]

I got a phone call from a supposed "debt collector" saying I owed $10,000 and if I paid it today, they'd knock off $2,000. When I asked for more details, they got irate. They said if this bill wasn't paid off, they'd come after me, my income, etc. They said my credit would be ruined. It smelled "SCAM" all over. I don't owe anyone that kind of money.

I called the better business bureau and they said it's a popular scam among thieves. Especially with older people, who hear "ruined credit" and will do anything to keep that from happening.

The lengths people go to for money is despicable.

I also got a phone call from a supposed "process server" as he described himself. He was looking for a Dawn Ploof of 305 Highcrest Road. It was a warrant for "failure to appear". Failure to appear WHERE???

And I have a cellphone!!!! No landline.

[momcat]

Hi Donna,
This is why I NEVER do anything on a computer that involves my bank or credit cards. I do not trust anything involving a computer!!!!!!!!