Beware!
Just got my (local) bank statement and noticed a weird electronic check thingy for $99.75 to "Strongbucks" that did not ring any bells for me -- except of the alarm variety. Called the number on the website and learned this is a wide-reaching internet rip-off scam. I have caught fraudulent charges on my credit cards several times but this is something new - these folks found a way to tap right into my personal checking account. It seems that some database I was in got hacked and I am but one of many many victims. (Add "Strongbucks" to the victim list as they are getting irate calls out of the blue from lots of ripped off people and they have nothing to do with it -- the money is going into a Bank of America Account.)
Scrutinize ALL of your statements closely and promptly -- the bad guys are finding new ways to steal your hard-earned bucks at every turn.
Scrutinize ALL of your statements closely and promptly -- the bad guys are finding new ways to steal your hard-earned bucks at every turn.
posted by Lucinda at 12:32 PM
6 Comments:
I have the exact same charge in my US Bank account. The bank is forcing me to shut down my entire account and fill out forms to get the money back. If I don't completely shut down my account and open a new one then I will take all liability on fraudulent charges like this.
The day I saw this charge was July 15th, 2007 and the check was actually dates 5/15/2007.
This same thing just happened to me on Friday, 7/13. It didn't come at a good time for us either. My check was also dated 5/11 and I noticed it yesterday, 7/16.
I received the same posting to my account for $99.75 from Strongbucks dated June 11, 2007 and taken out July 16th, 2007 with chk numbe 32437 (I'm on check 3088). I would have to cancel everything too and change about 17 accounts that get debited or credited each month. Yes, this couldn't come at a worse time either. I did get a letter from a company called "Certegy" saying that an employee hacked in and got information (the company I buy my checks from) and sold information so maybe there is a correlation? Not sure. If anyone else got that letter, you may want to call them. Then toll free number is 1-866-498-9916. Maybe others have used this company for their checks and could be a starting place.....
I have had the same problem. The e-check posted 7-15-07, and was dated 5-15-07 made to Strongbucks, whose voicemail message denies any responsibility, but the Lois Lane in me does find it a bit strange that they are on vacation, when all this happens.
The Certigy website says that 2.3 million customers' information has been stolen, but it has only been used for suspicious marketing, not financial fraud.
I wonder how many people this has affected.
How many does it have to affect?
It would be great if a news agency would pick this up.
I am sure that there are people that probably would never notice a check of this amount.
I just noticed because of the strange check number.
I also had this pulled from one of my accts at National Interbank which will not reimburse me - looks as if they pulled info from ebay or paypal to get this information.
This same thing happened to me on my bank statement yesterday. I have been to my bank and cancelled the account and opened a new one. Now I have to inform all my payees of new account numbers, etc. What a pain!! I just filed a police report with the state troopers, and I emailed our local TV news station with this story so they can let the public know to be on the lookout for this type of thing. These criminals will stop at nothing for money.
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