OT: So, what's the scam....?

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Received a letter today from a 'law office' in NYC with a check for $100.00. Letter was addressed to me, written in ink by hand, and contained three documents:

1. Letter from law office indicating check is for me, representing proceeds held by another attorney trust account in its escrow. The attorneys in question I have heard heard of before, but probably from one of those mesothelioma ads.

2. Printed internal email from law office (email address is an @gmail.com extension) with a file number for a property somewhere in NJ (which I do not own), saying I (or someone with my name) was represented by the aforementioned law firm during an REO (?) transaction and that the $100 was held in escrow to make sure the water bill was paid. It was paid, so the email is authorizing release of the funds. This email is dated in April.

3. Check for $100.00 to me (Bank is PNC Bank of New Jersey), with my current address on it (minus one number - same as the address on the letter).

So, could be someone legitimately represented another person with my name and when trying to track this person down, they came upon my name address. But, the cynic in me says this is a phishing attempt for me to call about the check and have them try to get banking information from me. Thoughts? I'm not going to cash it.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

Do you have a common name?
I don't yet there is someone the exact age as me living 30 minutes away (and I moved here from 500 miles away) with the same first and last name (which is not Clarkston lol).
Even more ironic, that guy suffered the exact same neck injury that I did (C5 fracture) as a teenager.
Anyway, I'm with you, toss the check and forget about it.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Do you have a common name?
I don't yet there is someone the exact age as me living 30 minutes away (and I moved here from 500 miles away) with the same first and last name (which is not Clarkston lol).
Even more ironic, that guy suffered the exact same neck injury that I did (C5 fracture) as a teenager.
Anyway, I'm with you, toss the check and forget about it.

It's more common than uncommon, but I've never met another person (in person) with my name. Anyway, check, meet trash.

 

[interrobang]

A REO transaction is basically just a sale of foreclosed property isn't it/

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

A REO transaction is basically just a sale of foreclosed property isn't it/

Dunno. Never participated in one. But makes sense given the context of the email/letter.

 

[BudatPSU]

The Nigerian Prince has immigrated to New Jersey. Is it near Bedminster?

Google the property to see if there is a window air conditioner.

 

[SoParkLion]

Call PNC... or the supposed lawyers...

 

[The Song Remains the Same]

It's more common than uncommon, but I've never met another person (in person) with my name. Anyway, check, meet trash.

Isn't Midnighter a common surname?

 

[Art]

A REO transaction is basically just a sale of foreclosed property isn't it/

Dunno. Never participated in one. But makes sense given the context of the email/letter.

REO (Real Estate Owned...by a bank) could represent any transaction from the time a bank takes ownership of a property to the time it disposes of it. The logic of this escrow disbursal is kind of unusual in a REO situation, but REOs can take circuitous routes, so who knows?

Can't imagine that you'd be involved in a real estate transaction that you wouldn't remember. Either hang on to the check to see what happens next, or toss it.

 

[johnmpsu]

If they are a legit law firm find their phone number (don't use the one in the letter) and call them. They should be able to enlighten you much more than a football board.

 

[Nitt1300]

If they are a legit law firm find their phone number (don't use the one in the letter) and call them. They should be able to enlighten you much more than a football board.

heresy

 

[heckmans]

heresy

^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^

This is the AKB

 

[psuro]

Received a letter today from a 'law office' in NYC with a check for $100.00. Letter was addressed to me, written in ink by hand, and contained three documents:

1. Letter from law office indicating check is for me, representing proceeds held by another attorney trust account in its escrow. The attorneys in question I have heard heard of before, but probably from one of those mesothelioma ads.

2. Printed internal email from law office (email address is an @gmail.com extension) with a file number for a property somewhere in NJ (which I do not own), saying I (or someone with my name) was represented by the aforementioned law firm during an REO (?) transaction and that the $100 was held in escrow to make sure the water bill was paid. It was paid, so the email is authorizing release of the funds. This email is dated in April.

3. Check for $100.00 to me (Bank is PNC Bank of New Jersey), with my current address on it (minus one number - same as the address on the letter).

So, could be someone legitimately represented another person with my name and when trying to track this person down, they came upon my name address. But, the cynic in me says this is a phishing attempt for me to call about the check and have them try to get banking information from me. Thoughts? I'm not going to cash it.

1. Google the name of the law firm.
2. If you are willing to share the property address, I may be able to find out current and recent ownership history for you. (PM me if you can, as I am not able to PM out to someone one).
3. Call PNC bank. Better yet - go to one of their locations, with hardcopies of all of these documents. If it's a scam, and someone is using their bank, they may want to know.

 

[Thomas1945]

If they are a legit law firm find their phone number (don't use the one in the letter) and call them. They should be able to enlighten you much more than a football board.

What a ridiculous suggestion that is. I bet you’re the kind of guy that goes to the doctor when he’s sick.

 

[gogolion]

I'm confused. Why can't you just cash the check? What personal information of yours would they be able to get when you cash a check? All you have to do is sign the back.

 

[MJG-90]

Could be someone used your identity to purchase real estate and take out a mortgage. Then defaulted on the loan. Probably not, but I'd check my credit report just in case. And look up the actual phone number of the law firm and call them. See what they can tell you.

 

[lionville]

You can also do a reverse lookup on the provided phone number to see who owns it, and the likelihood of it being a spam/scam number.

 

[BobPSU92]

What a ridiculous suggestion that is. I bet you’re the kind of guy that goes to the doctor when he’s sick.

SCAM.

A doctor’s office is a business. Their objective is to keep you just sick enough to keep you coming back. They don’t want you well or dead. Both cut off their revenue.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

I'm confused. Why can't you just cash the check? What personal information of yours would they be able to get when you cash a check? All you have to do is sign the back.

The check is a fake and when it bounces he will get hit with a fee from his bank

 

[gogolion]

The check is a fake and when it bounces he will get hit with a fee from his bank

So the bank is running the scam to get fees?

Take it to a PNC bank to cash it if that's the fear.

I'm still not getting how this could be a scam that is intended to harm the OP. There very well may be something fraudulent going on here, but if so, the $100 check is a side effect of it. It's not part of the scam, unless I'm missing something.

 

[Art]

Received a letter today from a 'law office' in NYCc with a check for $100.00. Letter was addressed to me, written in ink by hand, and contained three documents:

1. Letter from law office indicating check is for me, representing proceeds held by another attorney trust account in its escrow. The attorneys in question I have heard heard of before, but probably from one of those mesothelioma ads.

2. Printed internal email from law office (email address is an @gmail.com extension) with a file number for a property somewhere in NJ (which I do not own), saying I (or someone with my name) was represented by the aforementioned law firm during an REO (?) transaction and that the $100 was held in escrow to make sure the water bill was paid. It was paid, so the email is authorizing release of the funds. This email is dated in April.

3. Check for $100.00 to me (Bank is PNC Bank of New Jersey), with my current address on it (minus one number - same as the address on the letter).

So, could be someone legitimately represented another person with my name and when trying to track this person down, they came upon my name address. But, the cynic in me says this is a phishing attempt for me to call about the check and have them try to get banking information from me. Thoughts? I'm not going to cash it.

TIME OUT! Do I understand correctly that the check has your address printed on it? That should not be. The check, in this case, should be drawn on an escrow account held by an attorney and the name of that attorney/law firm (usually with an indication that it's an escrow account) should appear.

Without going into details, the amount of $100.00 even also seems weird in this context.

 

[psuro]

TIME OUT! Do I understand correctly that the check has your address printed on it? That should not be. The check, in this case, should be drawn on an escrow account held by an attorney and the name of that attorney/law firm (usually with an indication that it's an escrow account) should appear.

Without going into details, the amount of $100.00 even also seems weird in this context.

Art has a good point - the escrow check should have the name of the attorney/law firm.

At this point, I want the OP to follow through because I am curious as to how all of this turns out.

 

[Art]

So the bank is running the scam to get fees?

Take it to a PNC bank to cash it if that's the fear.

I'm still not getting how this could be a scam that is intended to harm the OP. There very well may be something fraudulent going on here, but if so, the $100 check is a side effect of it. It's not part of the scam, unless I'm missing something.

It's not the bank. I'm assuming that PNC is simply the bank on which the check is drawn.

You'd be surprised how convoluted scams can be. Someone initiated one by depositing a check into my account. Wanna guess how that one worked?

 

[Lionguy32]

There are a few things here that sound fishy. The first is the email address. Even the smallest law firms have their own domain name and don't use gmail. Second is the amount of the check. Lawyers generally don't use such round numbers. Third is the name of the bank. I live in New Jersey and have accounts at PNC. Every document I have seen from them just says PNC bank. I don't think I have ever heard of PNC Bank of New Jersey. Don't know what the scam here is either, but it certainly seems like one.

 

[BobPSU92]

Money laundering?

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

TIME OUT! Do I understand correctly that the check has your address printed on it? That should not be. The check, in this case, should be drawn on an escrow account held by an attorney and the name of that attorney/law firm (usually with an indication that it's an escrow account) should appear.

Without going into details, the amount of $100.00 even also seems weird in this context.

My address minus one number - it has the first four numbers, not the last one. Additionally, I regularly check my credit and froze it earlier this year. There aren't any new loans/mortgages/lines of credit/etc.

 

[klive]

Unless you've ever had any dealings with said law firm, it's a phishing scam. Shred and move on.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

So the bank is running the scam to get fees?

Take it to a PNC bank to cash it if that's the fear.

I'm still not getting how this could be a scam that is intended to harm the OP. There very well may be something fraudulent going on here, but if so, the $100 check is a side effect of it. It's not part of the scam, unless I'm missing something.

Here's what I think - two possible scenarios:

1. There is someone with my name who was represented by the law firm who held $100.00 in escrow because of an outstanding water bill issue. They say the bill was paid, and they released the $100.00 via check. This release was communicated by the 'law firm' to the 'law office'. The email I have is confirmation from the 'law office' (gmail address) that the 'law firm' has authorized the release of funds. So, they think my address is his current address for whatever reason and send the check to me by accident.

2. They want me to cash, or attempt to cash the check, because this is a scam and when the check bounces or doesn't clear, I call them. They then review 'their records' to ensure they have everything on file and in doing so will attempt to 'verify' my SSN, bank account number, etc.

 

[Art]

My address minus one number - it has the first four numbers, not the last one. Additionally, I regularly check my credit and froze it earlier this year. There aren't any new loans/mortgages/lines of credit/etc.

Your address printed on the check in the upper left hand corner where the name (and address) of the account holder usually appear? Does it have your name there too?

If it's not too much to ask, what is the nine-digit ABA routing number at the bottom of the check (first nine digits reading left to right)?

 

[Art]

Here's what I think - two possible scenarios:

1. There is someone with my name who was represented by the law firm who held $100.00 in escrow because of an outstanding water bill issue. They say the bill was paid, and they released the $100.00 via check. This release was communicated by the 'law firm' to the 'law office'. The email I have is confirmation from the 'law office' (gmail address) that the 'law firm' has authorized the release of funds. So, they think my address is his current address for whatever reason and send the check to me by accident.

2. They want me to cash, or attempt to cash the check, because this is a scam and when the check bounces or doesn't clear, I call them. They then review 'their records' to ensure they have everything on file and in doing so will attempt to 'verify' my SSN, bank account number, etc.

Scenario 2 is a good possibility. Final water bills are usually disposed of before title passes and are seldom in round amounts.

 

[PSU_Nut]

So the bank is running the scam to get fees?

Take it to a PNC bank to cash it if that's the fear.

I'm still not getting how this could be a scam that is intended to harm the OP. There very well may be something fraudulent going on here, but if so, the $100 check is a side effect of it. It's not part of the scam, unless I'm missing something.

The bank is not running the scam. Usually what happens is they send a fake check. The give you a few days to cash it then they come back with a problem. The check should have only been for $75 can you send us back $25 via western union. People say no problem knowing they are still getting $75. However they don't find out for a few days that the check is fake and bounces. Usually the delay is because it an real account number but not the owner. Now they are out the $25 plus fees associated with the bad check.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Your address printed on the check in the upper left hand corner where the name (and address) of the account holder usually appear? Does it have your name there too?

If it's not too much to ask, what is the nine-digit ABA routing number at the bottom of the check (first nine digits reading left to right)?

I'll have to double check; left everything at home but will check it out and report back tonight.

 

[Art]

I'll have to double check; left everything at home but will check it out and report back tonight.

No need to bother unless you're as curious as I am. This sounds like a scam. In the case of the fraud I referred to earlier, the scammer deposited what looked like a perfectly good check, including a valid routing number.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

No need to bother unless you're as curious as I am. This sounds like a scam. In the case of the fraud I referred to earlier, the scammer deposited what looked like a perfectly good check, including a valid routing number.

I'm always curious when it comes to potential fraud - just too many red flags here.

 

[MJG-90]

It certainly could be legit, just got the wrong guy. It's around number because it was an escrow intended to cover the water bill if the water bill went unpaid. At the time of the escrow, the parties involved wouldn't know the amount of the actual bill, so used a round number estimate.

It's possible the actual person's whereabouts are unknown. Perhaps you came up with some similar info in their search so they sent it to you.

I'd call the law firm (look them up online, don't call the number they gave you) and let them know they sent the check to the wrong person.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

It certainly could be legit, just got the wrong guy. It's around number because it was an escrow intended to cover the water bill if the water bill went unpaid. At the time of the escrow, the parties involved wouldn't know the amount of the actual bill, so used a round number estimate.

It's possible the actual person's whereabouts are unknown. Perhaps you came up with some similar info in their search so they sent it to you.

I'd call the law firm (look them up online, don't call the number they gave you) and let them know they sent the check to the wrong person.

I did a search for the 'law office' and I think got maybe one hit on Google. The 'law firm' authorizing the release of funds is a known law firm (with terrible reviews on Google). The 'law firm' I believe is on the check as the issuing party. Will double check.

 

[gogolion]

The bank is not running the scam. Usually what happens is they send a fake check. The give you a few days to cash it then they come back with a problem. The check should have only been for $75 can you send us back $25 via western union. People say no problem knowing they are still getting $75. However they don't find out for a few days that the check is fake and bounces. Usually the delay is because it an real account number but not the owner. Now they are out the $25 plus fees associated with the bad check.

They can ask for $25 all they want. Don't send it. I'm sure I'm missing something and I'm curious as heck to find out the details of this scam and how it works. There's obviously something fishy here.

 

[Art]

It certainly could be legit, just got the wrong guy. It's around number because it was an escrow intended to cover the water bill if the water bill went unpaid. At the time of the escrow, the parties involved wouldn't know the amount of the actual bill, so used a round number estimate.

It's possible the actual person's whereabouts are unknown. Perhaps you came up with some similar info in their search so they sent it to you.

I'd call the law firm (look them up online, don't call the number they gave you) and let them know they sent the check to the wrong person.

Actually they would. Lawyer handling the closing would request a final meter reading on or just before the date of closing. Utilities are very accommodating

 

[PSU_Nut]

They can ask for $25 all they want. Don't send it. I'm sure I'm missing something and I'm curious as heck to find out the details of this scam and how it works. There's obviously something fishy here.

But you will still have to pay back the $100 plus bounced check fees. You don't have to send the $25 but you don't get to keep the $100 and you are likely hit with bad check fees.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Art has a good point - the escrow check should have the name of the attorney/law firm.

At this point, I want the OP to follow through because I am curious as to how all of this turns out.

Okay, checking the stuff I have now. The attorney group is listed on the check. The email to the 'law office' authorizing release of the $100.00 is from someone with the law firm (or at least as a 'legit' looking email extension). The address in the subject line of the email is in New Jersey; the person from the law firm says 'the above property address should be on the check.' At the bottom of the email (from the law firm) they say 'your staff should mail the check to XXXX at his present address xxxxx,VA, and it is wrong by one number. I think I'll call the law office tomorrow to tell them they f'd up.

Also, the home in question was last sold in 2016, and I guess this law firm has filed bankruptcy.