I received a phone call while I was napping from an unknown caller. The man on the other end told me that their computer showed that I purchased some government grant product of theirs last year for $298 but never received it due to some mailing error. He asked if I wanted the product or just a refund. Still half asleep, I said I wanted the refund. He asked if I had the receipt number which I didn't. I didn't even remember the transaction. Then he RECITED my checking account information to me for verification purposes as well as my address. I verified and figured since I don't give out my checking information, it must be legit. I was then told to listen to a recording that would state that I would be billed for and sent a package. He said there would be no package however, just a refund. If I said no, he would have to replay the recording and start over. I said ok and agreed to the recording, expecting a refund. I was wrong.
As I hung up and thought about this call while still shaking off my nap, I became suspicious about it all. But then, how would they have obtained my information? I really didn't remember ordering anything for $298, let alone some government grant thing. I called the phone company who wanted to charge for a trace on the call. I decided to wait. Next I called the bank to see if I could stop this amount from being withdrawed if it were attempted. I couldn't without a check number and I couldn't close my account either. I was expecting a payment to go through and it was already late. So then I waited.
The following week, a week exactly after the call, nothing happened (they said I would recieve my "refund" in about 5 days) so I thought I was safe. The next day, however, my money was gone. They foraged my signature onto a check for $298! They used my agreement for the refund as an agreement to purchase! I had to go to the bank to report fraud and to the police. I got my money back but police and the bank are still investigating. I finally got a check copy and a company name. This company's name was on the check and it shows that it was cashed in Cincinnati, OH. I will update with more information as it becomes available. This company may have obtained my account information online somehow. It was without my consent and it is illegal. BEWARE!!! I have closed my account for safety reasons.
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