Dealing with fraud

[cleorose]

The problem with small claims is she isn't out anything. The point of suing is if there was some damage incurred and to be made whole. If the bank hadn't returned the money, the nsf fees and the dental insurance had an issue those would be things you could sue for.

Any costs that you have not been reimbursed to you, you can sue for. This isn't a case for pain and suffering or even punitive damages.

The best you can do is stay on top of the prosecutor and make sure that whoever is responsible ends up with at the very least a felony on his or her record and or jailtime.

[taxguykarl]

There will be a statute of limitations to file the case. It might be worth your while to wait for the criminal case to be disposed of; if convicted, the perp will have no defense.

The statue of limitations is two years in most states. Also the standard for civil cases is looser than criminal. Sapphire is right about no defense if there is a criminal conviction.

[Sapphire Silk]

Can you put personal outbound in with the outbound mail where you work? A lot of workplaces are OK with that, and it might well be safer than what you're doing now.

Just make sure to tell your workplace you will affix your own proper postage yourself. Then they shouldn't have a problem with it.

I went into the local police station.
They wrote up a report, and told me the case would be going downtown. Once the detectives that deal with fraud get their hands on it a case # will be generated. I was given the number of the division that deals with this stuff, and told to call tomorrow.

Meanwhile I had to explain to Titan that pressing charges is not going to cost us money. If I were to find out who did it and sue them THAT would cost us money.

It would be a small claims case. Court fees would be minimal and you wouldn't need to pay for a lawyer. You can only sue for any fees or penalties you are out. You might be able to sue for punitive damages; check the laws in your state.

There will be a statute of limitations to file the case. It might be worth your while to wait for the criminal case to be disposed of; if convicted, the perp will have no defense.

Please note: I am not a lawyer. Look it up for yourself and see what your local laws are.

[taxguykarl]

Better yet, get on Judge Judy.

Her's especially, I would be great to see her tear into the scammer.

[Tama]

Better yet, get on Judge Judy.

[taxguykarl]

sue them anyway. Really grind into that waste of space's brain that they made a baaaaaaaaad decision.

Deserted is right. Small claims is a cheap option. If you can get on small-claims show, even better, as your judgement will be deducted from the 's honorarium. Also there is the entertainment value in watching that fool try to explain those actions under oath.

[Deserted]

If the criminal has the funds to justify a lawsuit, I say DO IT!!!

And if they don't, and if you can afford to, sue them anyway. Really grind into that waste of space's brain that they made a baaaaaaaaad decision.

[Akasa]

I went into the local police station.
They wrote up a report, and told me the case would be going downtown. Once the detectives that deal with fraud get their hands on it a case # will be generated. I was given the number of the division that deals with this stuff, and told to call tomorrow.

Meanwhile I had to explain to Titan that pressing charges is not going to cost us money. If I were to find out who did it and sue them THAT would cost us money.

[Akasa]

Well... I found out the bank, but not the branch.

That's pretty much all the info I still needed before I could go to the police.

So, I'm getting ready to go to the police station and talk to a detective.

[taxguykarl]

if they tell me the branch location I'm taking a copy of the check into the branch and talking to a manager. Who ever took that check has no business being a teller.

Good for you. I agree that the teller should not have that job to take a check like that. Somehow it would not surprise me if the teller knew the offender.

[Akasa]

OK. I went by a branch of my bank that has a notary today to get the affidavit notarized and faxed into the fraud office.

The notary took a look at the altered check and was like "That's a VERY obvious alteration, but it's not the worst I've seen." Then he showed me a check alteration where the check was initially made out for $125. They changed the 1 to a 4 and put an f in front of the One in One hundred making it "fOne Hundred."

Tomorrow I finally get around to calling the bank back and getting where the check was deposited so I can go into the police department... and if they tell me the branch location I'm taking a copy of the check into the branch and talking to a manager. Who ever took that check has no business being a teller.

[cleorose]

Depending on where you live some grocery stores have a mail drop. I would drop it there

[Seanette]

Can you put personal outbound in with the outbound mail where you work? A lot of workplaces are OK with that, and it might well be safer than what you're doing now.

[Kittish]

I know where the closest PO is. The problem is that by the time I walk there and back to the bus stop I'm in pain.

Is a bicycle or tricycle an option for short trips for you? If so, it might be something to consider.

[Akasa]

I know where the closest PO is. The problem is that by the time I walk there and back to the bus stop I'm in pain.