I just found out how easy it is to use other people's account number to pay for stuff..

z0mb13

Lifer
May 19, 2002
18,106
1
76
its kinda scary really..

so my apt complex just set up this online site thing, where you can change ur info and also pay the rent online.

All u need to do is put in the routing number, ur account number, and the amount u want to pay. That is it. So basically I can just grab a check from someone, input the routing number and bank account number, then I can pay my rent if there are sufficient funds..

edit: ok im not going to commit any fraud here folks, I just used this online paying system and am troubled why they dont put more fraud prevention in here..
 

KLin

Lifer
Feb 29, 2000
30,344
662
126
My brother in law's parents got ripped off for 1500 bucks because of that.
 

z0mb13

Lifer
May 19, 2002
18,106
1
76
Originally posted by: yamadakun
but how easy is it to get away once they found out?

well but for conners and desperate people, they can just cut a cehck for 1000 and run for mexico to buy crack?
 

tk149

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2002
7,253
1
0
Yes and no.

Yes, the funds will be debited from the account you choose.

No, as soon as the owner of said account finds out about this mysterious debit, they'll stop the payment, and the bank will take the funds back.

Yes, this is considered stealing and you will end up in front of a judge.

This is why you NEVER give your account number to anyone who might steal. If you get tricked into revealing it, call your bank and switch account numbers.
 

z0mb13

Lifer
May 19, 2002
18,106
1
76
Originally posted by: tk149
Yes and no.

Yes, the funds will be debited from the account you choose.

No, as soon as the owner of said account finds out about this mysterious debit, they'll stop the payment, and the bank will take the funds back.

Yes, this is considered stealing and you will end up in front of a judge.

This is why you NEVER give your account number to anyone who might steal. If you get tricked into revealing it, call your bank and switch account numbers.

Between your yes and no, what if the conner already got the cash, and then run to mexico? probably the account owner wont get hit since the bank will take the hit..

Hey I am not saying that this is something people should do... I am actually troubled why they dont require more info for this
 

tk149

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2002
7,253
1
0
Originally posted by: z0mb13
Originally posted by: tk149
Yes and no.

Yes, the funds will be debited from the account you choose.

No, as soon as the owner of said account finds out about this mysterious debit, they'll stop the payment, and the bank will take the funds back.

Yes, this is considered stealing and you will end up in front of a judge.

This is why you NEVER give your account number to anyone who might steal. If you get tricked into revealing it, call your bank and switch account numbers.

Between your yes and no, what if the conner already got the cash, and then run to mexico? probably the account owner wont get hit since the bank will take the hit..

Hey I am not saying that this is something people should do... I am actually troubled why they dont require more info for this

You need to have an authorized ACH institution to withdraw money from your bank account. That means the thief must have an account at this institution.

In your scenario, if the unauthorized debit is caught soon enough, you and your bank won't take the loss. The institution (where the scammer has an account) that initially drew the ACH will take the loss. This is part of the reason why you need to show several ID's when you open a bank account.
 

hx009

Senior member
Nov 26, 1999
989
0
0
Originally posted by: z0mb13
its kinda scary really..

so my apt complex just set up this online site thing, where you can change ur info and also pay the rent online.

All u need to do is put in the routing number, ur account number, and the amount u want to pay. That is it. So basically I can just grab a check from someone, input the routing number and bank account number, then I can pay my rent if there are sufficient funds..

edit: ok im not going to commit any fraud here folks, I just used this online paying system and am troubled why they dont put more fraud prevention in here..

If you think thats scary, read up on demand drafts.

At the center of the controversy is a little-known system for cashing checks called demand drafts. Most consumers presume that checks must be signed by an authorized account holder. That's ordinarily true, but not in the case of so-called "demand drafts." These look just like checks, but indicate "signature not required" or a similar message in the authorized signature area. And generally, banks cash them just like valid, signed checks.
 

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
they should put in a system to match up names. If they don't match, at least have a "known name" associated with the online account & checks.
 

Jzero

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
18,834
1
0
It's not like it's any harder than getting/using a credit/debit card number....keep your checks and account info in a safe place!
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,572
971
126
Originally posted by: z0mb13
its kinda scary really..

so my apt complex just set up this online site thing, where you can change ur info and also pay the rent online.

All u need to do is put in the routing number, ur account number, and the amount u want to pay. That is it. So basically I can just grab a check from someone, input the routing number and bank account number, then I can pay my rent if there are sufficient funds..

edit: ok im not going to commit any fraud here folks, I just used this online paying system and am troubled why they dont put more fraud prevention in here..

Don't you think that it would be pretty easy to trace that back to you? I mean, you are paying an account of yours not to mention committing fraud. The person who's bank account information you stole will get the money back and you will go to jail. Sounds like fun huh?
 

apoppin

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
34,890
1
0
alienbabeltech.com
Originally posted by: tk149
Yes and no.

Yes, the funds will be debited from the account you choose.

No, as soon as the owner of said account finds out about this mysterious debit, they'll stop the payment, and the bank will take the funds back.

Yes, this is considered stealing and you will end up in front of a judge.

This is why you NEVER give your account number to anyone who might steal. If you get tricked into revealing it, call your bank and switch account numbers.

IF you give a check to ANYONE - your babysitter, the paperboy, a store clerk - then they have ALL the info they need to commit fraud - the account is there with the routing number - printed on the check.

If you have - say $3,000 in you checking account [count your "ready reserve" overdraft protection] - ANYONE with your check info can commit FRAUD [in YOUR name].

Sure they may EVENTUALLY be caught . . . but you will be out $3,000 for a LONG time while the bank sorts it out {and will bounce your OWN checks if your account is overdrawn}.

This is a really STUPID screwup on banking's part that need to be addressed IMMEDIATELY!
 

erikistired

Diamond Member
Sep 27, 2000
9,739
0
0
Originally posted by: z0mb13
Originally posted by: tk149
Yes and no.

Yes, the funds will be debited from the account you choose.

No, as soon as the owner of said account finds out about this mysterious debit, they'll stop the payment, and the bank will take the funds back.

Yes, this is considered stealing and you will end up in front of a judge.

This is why you NEVER give your account number to anyone who might steal. If you get tricked into revealing it, call your bank and switch account numbers.

Between your yes and no, what if the conner already got the cash, and then run to mexico? probably the account owner wont get hit since the bank will take the hit..

Hey I am not saying that this is something people should do... I am actually troubled why they dont require more info for this

if he runs to mexico he'll probably get away, but if he runs to canada he'll get busted for sure. i'm not sure about running to cuba, it's a long swim.
 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
Originally posted by: tk149

This is why you NEVER give your account number to anyone who might steal. If you get tricked into revealing it, call your bank and switch account numbers.

You don't have to be tricked into giving it to someone, it's right there on the front of your checks.
 

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,391
1,780
126
Wow...the best part is that if you did that, they'd never be able to find out where you live.
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Originally posted by: iroast
signing your check helps a bit heh

Doesn't affect this at all..all you need is the numbers off of the check.
 

Sphexi

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2005
7,280
0
0
This type of payment is only available for certain services. You can't use it to take cash out of the bank or anything like that. Once it's noticed you've obviously paid for some service, and that service is attatched to your name and address, otherwise they can't accept the payment. It's nearly impossible to get away with that kind of fraud.