Identity Theft - Not the Holiday I was Expecting!
So, I have been reading lots of your posts about how you spent the holidays with your family and friends and had a wonderful time, and I can't help but feel so lost and confused and completley violated.
I woke up on Christmas Eve to a bank account with a minus in the thousands of dollars, and I mean THOUSANDS. I immediately called my bank to put my accounts on hold and find out what was going on.
Upon further investigation, this was extremely hard considering everything was closed for Christmas, and I really had to do some digging - it turns out that I have been a victim of identity theft.
I have made a police report, and spent all of Christmas sorting paperwork out and creating somewhat of a paper trail.
It goes back to a job that I applied for awhile ago on the other side of the country. I did two interviews with this so called company and they called me a few days later to offer me the position. At the time, I accepted - expecting to work from home.
After I sent them my information for employment I began the orientation process which included watching videos, completing tasks, and basic admin duties - this is actually a legit healthcare company, however, scammers have created a website that it identical to the original and I guess I got caught up in there somehow and they took all of my information awhile back.
The position didn't end up working out after I accepted it - but I guess it was already too late.
Any money that I did have is gone, and I have an appointment with my bank tomorrow to sort out what is going on - the police here think that I will infact be on the hook for paying this amount back because I did give my information out to these people (even if I didn't know it was a scam.)
The tears just won't stop pouring from my eyes and I am feeling so trapped. I went to the store this morning to get milk for tea and I didn't even realize that I couldn't pay for it until I was at the till.
I now have to look in to my social insurance number being given out, and whatever else. I feel that this is just the tip of the iceberg.
I guess this is very eye opening to be careful online and always check out what you are doing, because you never know who can get ahold of your information.
I know this isn't WA related, however, I needed to vent somewhere. So here it is.
Hoping for a better day tomorrow.
Recent Comments
53
Hoping and praying that you come out the other side of this stronger and wiser. It is horrible that you are going through this and only hope you get your money back somehow if that is a possibility. Again, we are so terribly sorry that you are in this situation. I know it may not seem like it right now, but it will pass and things will get better.🙏🏽☀️♥️
So sorry to hear that this has happened to you. I hope everything works out for you and not stuck with having to pay anything.
Hi Montana,
So sorry to hear that awful incident.
I just wonder - didn't you subscribe for transaction alerts? It's a bank system in my country that we can subscribe to sms alert so that you will be notified of any transaction on your account.
Hope you can sort it out amicably with your bank.
Joe:)
I am so very saddened for you Montana & am hurt to read this as it has been just about a year since I experienced some things similar but not even quite as severe it seems.
It is a truly violated feeling and the financial woe to boot just plain stinks and is so unfair. I certainly hope that the instituions step up and do the right things to minimize as best as is possible.
I have said a prayer and will continue and I am very impressed with your resolve and strength. May you continue to overcome each battle as best as is possible. I am so sorry and wish only goodness shall follow you from now on. Stupid mean scamming people just so illing. Best of Luck with police action and setting up new security. No matter what to say seems inadequate. Sorry
Hopefully, not everything is lost and the bank can cover it.
Wish you all the best in this terrible time in the holiday season.
Tommy
Man, that's fucked up...
I seriously hope they don't make you pay for that shit.
I'm with the others: I hope they catch whoever did this and lock em' up.
Montana,
That is so awful!!!
I feel for you, I recently was a victim of a scam, mine was not near as bad as yours, I pray for you to come through this strong!
How people can be so cruel and heartless is beyond me.
Keep your chin up doll, you will make it through this.
Stacie
Oh my heart stopped when I read this. I just don't know what to say. I just hope that you can get compensation from the bank. My bank usually asks for photo id and things like that whenever anything is done to an account.
These people would not have had your pin, but surely the bank should have asked for some sort of photo id before allowing a withdrawl, or any sort of physical change to your account.
They should then check the photo...
Are there no rules in your country that the bank should have followed to ensure the identity of the person withdrawing money?
Surely it needs more than a social security number?
Montana, what shocking news and How terrible for you - Unbelievable - I just hope these creeps get found and jailed to let others know this is what will happen
Keep us posted and I hope the Police and the banks can trace this
I am so sorry- Sending you cyber hugs my friend
Vicki
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Montana,
I am so sorry - these terrible people are everywhere
today - no one is safe not even in our own homes -
shame what this world has turned into - and where
did all these people come from? The other day I
thought I had met a nice man and was talking to him
on Facebook - two days later I find out he is nothing
but a fraud and a scammer asked me for money ::((
at least he got nothing from me!!
So sorry - I do hope everything works out for you.
Susan