UPDATE!!!!!!! If anyone asks you to cash a check for them....

[kitten645]

Any twit can have a checking account! Believe me I know, I'm related to one! Worst case she could have taken the check to a check cashing office. Believe me they know every trick and she didn't take it there because they would know it was fraudulant. I am suspicious of any check frankly. I won't accept travelers checks because they are more often than not counterfeit.
I always think that if these people spent half the energy they spent screwing people over, they'd make a decent living. Please press charges so she doesn't ruin someone else's life.
Claudia

[moosmom]

A couple of weeks ago I got her a calling card for her cellphone so she'd have minutes in case of an emergency. And for her son's birthday a couple years ago (she didn't have money to buy him anything) I went out and bought him an MP3 player.

I'm not a rich person, in fact I'm on a fixed income, but a kid not having anything to open on his birthday just didn't sit well with me.

[Pinot's Mom]

This is someone you've known for a COUPLE OF YEARS??? That's awful!! Well, I mean, it's awful under any circumstances, but really! How long had this been in the works?? I am stunned - just not in my realm of thinking that people do this to each other. I guess I'm naive.

I'm so sorry you were duped like this; it just makes it a bit more difficult to help people who really need it, and that's the real shame. I'm glad it only ended up being $100. I just can't imagine who does things like that.

[pomtzu]

Donna - like I told you on the phone - Donna and the kitties come first. It's great to want to be able to help others, and it's just fine to do that, but only after you have taken care of yourself and all of your other obligations. You and the kitties can't eat a phone card or an MP3 player.

This "person" needs to fend for her/him self and provide for the child too. That's not your responsibility. You met your obligations to your daughter without expecting anyone to bail you out, didn't you?? This person needs to do the same, and I feel certain that they wouldn't step up to help you if you asked for help either.

Stop trying to help the world and help yourself first. That's an order!!!

[Freedom]

REPORT IT, Donna!

Good grief! I have no idea who it was, but that is unconscionable!

[moosmom]

Ellie,

Yes mam!! The last thing I need is your foot up my butt as you said. I'm just grateful that it was only $100 I'm out off rather than $3750.

After all the advice I've been given, I plan on notifying the authories.

[happylabs]

Donna you are such a sweet and wonderful person! I am so sorry this "friend" took advantage of you. I hope you get your money back some how.

[Medusa]

Donna, it's past time to break the "friendship" w/this person. She's reached her sell by date. Someone told me something years ago and I've never forgotten it: the first time you're taken advantage of, you're a victim. After that, you're a volunteer. Apparently, this person has done things like this to you repeatedly. Don't volunteer to set yourself up again. Someone like her doesn't learn. Don't put yourself in the same category. Live and learn.

[Grace]

I agree with those saying report it. This type of scam has been making the rounds for at least several years. The only way to end it is to take legal action against the perps - makes no difference if they are friends

[Daisy and Delilah]

I am so sorry, Donna. You are guilty of being too nice. It's hard to break that habit isn't it? I'm like that too.

[jennielynn1970]

I can't believe someone would do that to you. Someone you knew and trusted. That is just horrible.

I hope that you can press charges and get your money back or some kind of repercussions come to her.

[moosmom]

I highly doubt I'll see that money. I'm just glad it wasn't the whole $3750.00. Oh, and I have already notified the postal authorities. If they need evidence, I've got it.

[Lady's Human]

For anyone else who gets caught up in something like this......

Keep everything, don't cash the check, and notify the postal inspectors.

Beside the cancellation mark, on the back of the envelope is a little orange barcode, hardly visible unless you're looking for it.

That's tracking data that the inspectors can use to tell where the mail came from.

There's also fingerprint data, etc.

Anytime you get something in the mail that you think is a fraud or a scam, don't hesitate to call the postal inspectors. It gives them something to do besides checking up on employees to see why they called in sick.

[moosmom]

LH,

I didn't save the envelope, however I DID save the note she included with the check. It has her name and address on it.

[moosmom]

I FOUND THE ENVELOPE THE CHECK CAME IN!!!!!! More evidence. Woohoo!!