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

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Use this link to check if the routing number is both valid and points to correct bank. Also, PNC Bank "of New Jersey"? Pretty sure PNC Bank is just "PNC Bank".

https://routingnumber.aba.com/Search1.aspx

I checked this - comes up for local PNC Branch locations (including the location of the home in question) in New Jersey.

 

[Art]

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.

I checked this - comes up for local PNC Branch locations (including the location of the home in question) in New Jersey.

If this is a legitimate transaction, the only thing that one could say about PNC is that it's the bank at which the law firm maintains its escrow ((checking) account(s). It's not a given that it's a party to the transaction.

The whole think is too strange. Since it's designated as a "REO" transaction that means that a bank sold the property. How would Mr. Midnighter be involved? He owned the property, defaulted on his mortgage, the bank took possession AND, after the sale and paying off the loan and all associated expenses there was exactly $100 in residual equity that redounded to Mr. Midnighter. Soud familiar?

No harm in calling the law firm, just don't give them any information. If they want the check back, tell them you'll destroy it.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

If this is a legitimate transaction, the only thing that one could say about PNC is that it's the bank at which the law firm maintains its escrow ((checking) account(s). It's not a given that it's a party to the transaction.

The whole think is too strange. Since it's designated as a "REO" transaction that means that a bank sold the property. How would Mr. Midnighter be involved? He owned the property, defaulted on his mortgage, the bank took possession AND, after the sale and paying off the loan and all associated expenses there was exactly $100 in residual equity that redounded to Mr. Midnighter. Soud familiar?

No harm in calling the law firm, just don't give them any information. If they want the check back, tell them you'll destroy it.

Any chance they had a client with the same name, couldn't track him down, and went with the first address that looked good? Dunno. But, plan to call and not give them anything - check will get shredded.

 

[Art]

Any chance they had a client with the same name, couldn't track him down, and went with the first address that looked good? Dunno. But, plan to call and not give them anything - check will get shredded.

Not very likely. Having a balance sitting in an escrow for years is generally not a good idea for a lawyer. If it happened, I'd expect that they'd reference a specific transaction (address of property, date of sale, etc). "REO" is very specific and it sounds like someone has no clue of what it means and is just tossing around terminology.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Not very likely. Having a balance sitting in an escrow for years is generally not a good idea for a lawyer. If it happened, I'd expect that they'd reference a specific transaction (address of property, date of sale, etc). "REO" is very specific and it sounds like someone has no clue of what it means and is just tossing around terminology.

They do reference a property in N.J. in the email. I looked it up - last date of sale was July 2016

 

[Art]

They do reference a property in N.J. in the email. I looked it up - last date of sale was July 2016

Scammers go to various lengths to make their schemes look legitimate.

If you call the attorney and tell him he's got the wrong party, that should be the end of it, no further questions asked. Indeed it's likely to be the end of it anyway because a scammer will realize that he's not dealing with mindless greed.

 

[PeetzPoolBoy]

I can’t believe the grey-matter that has been expended on this non-issue. A sleazy law firm was somehow involved in a REO transaction. Time passes and the sleazy law firm is sitting on escrowed funds due others.

The last remaining sleazy lawyer in the soon-to-be-defunct law firm tells his gum-chewing assistant to disburse all escrowed funds. Out of sheer laziness, said assistant Googles a name of one of their former clients who is owed money and happens to find a “close enough” person who just happens to be “Midnighter”. The address, less a digit, is a mere inconvenience.

I would actually endorse the check and then forward it to a charity of your choice, but then again, I like to perpetuate incompetence when I encounter it.

 

[Art]

I can’t believe the grey-matter that has been expended on this non-issue. A sleazy law firm was somehow involved in a REO transaction. Time passes and the sleazy law firm is sitting on escrowed funds due others.

The last remaining sleazy lawyer in the soon-to-be-defunct law firm tells his gum-chewing assistant to disburse all escrowed funds. Out of sheer laziness, said assistant Googles a name of one of their former clients who is owed money and happens to find a “close enough” person who just happens to be “Midnighter”. The address, less a digit, is a mere inconvenience.

I would actually endorse the check and then forward it to a charity of your choice, but then again, I like to perpetuate incompetence when I encounter it.

 

[Fac]

Endorse it to BWI-Rivals and get a year in the Lions Den.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Okay, called the folks who cut the check (believe it is a one man operation). He told me he doesn't know anything about the circumstances for why the checks are cut, just that when told, he cuts them on behalf of the law firm. I told him it was likely a mix up, and he said it probably was, and if possible, could I send the check back so they could void it. Seemed on the up and up and the watermark on the check is legit.

 

[Art]

Okay, called the folks who cut the check (believe it is a one man operation). He told me he doesn't know anything about the circumstances for why the checks are cut, just that when told, he cuts them on behalf of the law firm. I told him it was likely a mix up, and he said it probably was, and if possible, could I send the check back so they could void it. Seemed on the up and up and the watermark on the check is legit.

We never completely dismissed the possibility that this was a mix-up, though it had markings that were strange. The guy's explanation seems plausible, but, again, unusual. It could also be a convenient one-size-fits-all escape hatch for situations that indicate their game is up.

 

[cjrugger]

Okay, called the folks who cut the check (believe it is a one man operation). He told me he doesn't know anything about the circumstances for why the checks are cut, just that when told, he cuts them on behalf of the law firm. I told him it was likely a mix up, and he said it probably was, and if possible, could I send the check back so they could void it. Seemed on the up and up and the watermark on the check is legit.

Well that was a big waste of time

 

[jrd23psu]

There are plenty of check scams where unsuspecting people are tricked into depositing checks. Don't cash the check and contact the authorities. Nobody just sends out checks like this.

 

[Art]

Well that was a big waste of time

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Well that was a big waste of time

Was it though?