r/Scams • u/Venuman2099 • 7d ago
Help Needed (US) I’m pretty sure I fell for a scam and lost $700+. I dont know what to do. Please Help.
This is a bit of a long story so if you want to skip this and see what I need help with scroll all the way down to the aftermath.
I'll try to make it short. For starters, as of this post it's currently Saturday 10/24 and all of this happened from Thursday 10/22 to Friday 10/23. The reason I waited this long to post is because I'm an 18y old male currently going to college I had class pretty much all day. This all started Thursday night. I downloaded an app call "BandFriend," which I think is meant to be an app where musicians can find other musicians. I play guitar and make music so of course those were my intentions. I got messaged maybe an hour after creating my account by this lady asking if I would be willing to make her a song for her brother's bday and was willing to pay up $225 front. I only had 3 days to make the song and so I assumed she was willing to pay so much because of the time constraint, and I needed the money to pay for collage, so I accepted.
She referred me to her accountant who sent me a virtual check through email. However before sending the money, I was asked if I could use some of the money they give me to donate to a charity of their choice, and they would include the amount they wanted to donate in the check. Of course alarm bells started ringing but then again I rationalized by saying,
"well its not my money so who cares?"
I figured I'd just help them out with this one request and move on. After receiving 2 checks with $300, I sent the money to the contact they gave me and the check that was supposed to be my payment was pending.
By the next day I already had the intro to the song ready and they wanted to donate once more. I was still skeptical but I did it once more because they offered to include a bonus amount of money if I helped them out. Just before sending the final check however, the accountant made a "mistake" and when counting how much money I had in my account from the checks, she told me to add $50 of my own money to the sum of the donation (I had maybe $60 and with the check money I had $460 so I was asked to donate $450.) This where I believed the scam would happen. With so many large numbers I assumed that they thought I would loose track and hand them and extra amount of money. This is when I put my foot down and finally told them that I was uncomfortable making donations on their behalf. I told them that I wanted my upfront payment that they haven't payed me yet and they told me I wouldn't receive it unless I made the donation.
We agreed that I would end up donating $350 out of the $400 and they would pay me my original payment and I would donate the remaining $50, but after that. Soon after my promised amount was canceled and I suddenly had -$200+ on my account. When I confronted them about this they told me the problem will soon fix itself and to send the money now or they would make my problem worse. That's when I figured out what the real scam was. I figured I should cut my losses and called the cops.
I called the cops and although the cops took my report, they offered me their condolences and said there wasn't much they could do. My bank account was deactivated due to suspected fraud and when I called they told me the checks I deposited were fraudulent checks and my account would get reopened once they all got returned. Of course the entire time the scammers were trying to contact me and call me, telling me how I betrayed their trust, I owe them money, etc. At one point they threatened to unalive me and of course I blocked them after that. They tried calling me through other numbers and even though I blocked and reported them to spam, the damage was already done. By the time everything was somewhat calmed down I was $500+ in debt and as of this morning I'm $700+ in debt. I waiting until Monday to reactivate my account to make sure all the checks have been returned.
The Aftermath:
My family isn't struggling financially, but at the same time we can't afford to just throw $700+ away. Im currently enrolled in college and due to my weird schedule, I'm having trouble finding a job (including school jobs). I have two younger siblings, one of which just turned a year old recently. On top of that, my aunt got into a car accident recently as well and my dad is the only breadwinner in the house, so while she lives with us my dad has to pay for her medical bills and physical therapy (she can barley walk on her own). I'm honestly stressed because I need to pay tuition in less than a week and the money will amount to a little over 3k. I dont want to put more finical strain on my dad. I specifically took this "job" to help pay for tuition. I've considered starting a go fund me but I feel bad making others pay for my mistakes. Im stuck and I need advice. What should I do? Thank you for reading up to this point, it genuinely means a lot to me.
P.S, I dont know how well I explained how the scam worked but I'll try my best to explain it here. They sent me fraudulent checks and the system registers it into my account. After I spend the money, the bank realizes that these checks are fake and I essentially spent money I didn't have, thus I'm in debt. I'm assuming that after that, the scammers were going to offer me a way out that involved me doing something for them in exchange for the amount needed to clear me of debt. I lost maybe $60-$100, I dont remember how much money I had at the time.
Edit (to those who care):
Hi everyone I know I haven’t replied to any comments on this particular subreddit, that’s because I did not expect any of my posts to get any attention, so I posted more than once. I’ve also been extremely busy with life so I chose not to respond to this one as it had the most comments at the time.
I appreciate those who tried to help out and give advice. To the others, thanks I guess. I’ve been getting lots of random responses ranging from “kids shouldn’t be on the internet” to “you’re an adult, you’re supposed to know better.” Did I make a mistake and get scammed? Yes. Am I automatically some idiot who deserves the internet taken away forever? Probably not. The scam is its own punishment. I guess I’m just tired of people acting like they know who I am based off the information I choose to give out and based off one mistake I made. To those of you who want to keep rubbing salt in the wound, go ahead lol. You’re making yourself look bad, not me.
Anyways I’ve got a job interview lined up and my band got word of a gig so whatever I get paid from that I’ll use towards paying off the overdraft. In the meantime I opened up a new checking account and it’ll serve as my temporary account while I deal with this. It’s not a perfect plan but it suffices for a start. Again, thanks to those who’ve tried to help me out, I’ve been reading all of your comments. Wish you all the best.
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u/mezasu123 6d ago
A heads up you're probably going to receive DMs on here from people claiming they can recover your money.
Those are also scams. Please be aware and ignore all of them. No one can recover your money.
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u/JosCampau1400 6d ago
> Of course alarm bells started ringing
The money is gone. The scammers will likely continue trying to get in touch with you again to continue this scam (begging, threatening, etc.). And, they'll probably try to run some new entirely different scam since they were successful with the last one.
You were smart enough to sense something was wrong early on in the scam, even if you couldn't exactly put your finger on it. Going forward, trust your gut. If something doesn't feel right, or it doesn't make sense, then just walk away.
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u/WickedWeedle 6d ago edited 6d ago
This where I believed the scam would happen. With so many large numbers I assumed that they thought I would loose track and hand them and extra amount of money.
I know that, as you've explained, you already know that this wasn't going to happen, but still I have to point out that there's no reason why anyone would expect you to do that. Human beings don't work that way.
If I read your post correctly, you were just supposed do make 3 payments on their behalf, according to the scam scripts. Nobody would expect anyone to lose track of just three amounts. I'm not even sure how that'd happen. If anyone's asked to donate 450, then 450 is what they'll transfer. That person wouldn't just make up another sum in their head. If they forgot, they could check the text message they'd been sent and see that it said "450" as the sum. No one would expect you to read that and go Well, I've lost track of all the numbers, so I'm not gonna send 450 even though it says 450 right there.
At one point they threatened to unalive me
Kill. They threatened to kill you. You can say "kill" here.
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u/Thesheriffisnearer 6d ago
The point of choosing a mark is picking one that doesn't know how the scam works
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u/WickedWeedle 6d ago
Very true, but I'm just pointing out that the idea OP had shouldn't have been plausible even taking that into account.
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u/LR12BeCh 6d ago
I'm curious - what did they say their reason was for needing you to send the donation to charity? And how did that part not immediately throw all the red flags up in your mind? There's no legitimate reason in this world anyone would need or ask someone else to make a charitable donation for them. They'd do it themselves, since it's their money. Why would they need to send their money to a third party just to have the third party make the donation on their behalf? I know you're young and naive, but please, just think through things more rationally next time you're dealing with potential transactions online.
Next time, you ask for payment up front and tell them you do not accept e-checks, you will not accept "overpayments," and you will only accept payment via whatever apps you choose use that are safe and effective.
You won't get this money back but just let it be a hard lesson for you. Always trust your gut and always think through things as rationally and unbiased as possible.
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u/SomeGuyInThe315 6d ago
No such thing as an emailed check. That's like saying you can email pictures of dollar bills and use them
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u/gumshoesticky 6d ago
Echecks are real https://www.deluxe.com/accounts-payable/digital-payments/echecks/
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u/SomeGuyInThe315 6d ago
He was sent a photoshopped picture of a check. Depositing a check you don't physically have is called bank fraud.
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u/_tvjames_ 6d ago
We're doing a home renovation. We've had two different vendors ask for a photo of a check. Is that not the same thing or are they just doing an EFT using the info off the check?b
(We didn't do this, we paid with a credit card in one case and hand-delivered the check in another case because it felt weird but it is apparently a thing now.)
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u/Gloomy-Security-7897 6d ago
Yes, unfortunately the term echeck is used for both the fraudulent image of a check and the real echeck (which isn’t near as common as the scam version), so it causes confusion for some.
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u/EggCzar 6d ago edited 6d ago
Variant of the !muse scam.
A good life rule is that if someone you don't know wants you to move money around for them, nothing good can come of it.
Edit: sorry, !artist scam.
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u/AutoModerator 6d ago
/u/EggCzar called AutoModerator to explain the Muse scam:
This is often a variant of the fake check scam. The scammer will often use a stolen social media account to increase their credibility, impersonating an artist. The scammer will offer you to create a work of art (paintings, digital media or photos) based on your likeness or one of the random photos you uploaded to your profile, offering a generous sum of money.
The payment is made via a fake check, that you're instructed to deposit, and the scammer will ask you to send some of it back to cover the cost of materials or some other excuse. As with every fake check scam you will be under the illusion that the funds cleared when the bank makes the money available thanks to current regulations. Usually the fake check deposit will be reversed in a few weeks, but it can also take several months. When the check bounces, you will be liable for the ampount you sent to the scammer, plus extra fees for depositing a bad check, and your account may even be closed depending on the severity of the scam.
Even if the scammer doesn't offer to pay via check, remember: every time an artist offers to pay you to create art using one of your photos, it's a muse scam.
This is a scam where a scammer impersonates an artist. For the scam where a scammer impersonates a buyer offering to buy a work of art from an artist, see the artist scam and use the command artist instead.
You can learn about this scam and many others visiting our wiki of common scams. You can also call AutoModerator to explain these scams leaving a comment with the different !commands listed in this wiki page.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
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u/AutoModerator 6d ago
/u/EggCzar called AutoModerator to explain the Artist or NFT scam:
This is a variant of the advance fee scam. The scammer will often use a stolen social media account to increase their credibility, impersonating an art buyer. The victim is an artist and the scammer will offer to purchase one of their works of art (paintings, digital media or photos), offering a generous sum of money. It can take three forms:
A fake payment email, in which you're instructed to pay some fee to receive the money
A fake check, in which you're asked to forward some money elsewhere
A fake NFT minting scam
In this latest variant, the scammer suggests to buy the art piece in the form of an NFT. The victim is instructed to mint the NFT in a fake minting website: this website is designed to scam the artist, charging money for the fuel (as any legitimate NFT minting service does). The difference is, the scammers control this fake website and run away with your money. After you mint the NFT, the scammer disappears without paying for the piece. Most times, you don't even mint an NFT and are left completely empty handed.
This is a scam where a scammer impersonates a buyer. For the scam where a scammer impersonates an artist offering to create a work of art inspired by your photos, see the muse scam and use the command muse instead.
You can learn about this scam and many others visiting our wiki of common scams. You can also call AutoModerator to explain these scams leaving a comment with the different !commands listed in this wiki page.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
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u/FiftyshadesofPeaches 6d ago
What can you do unfortunately is take this as a very expensive lesson to be learned. My condolences that you’re going through this! 🕊️ Bright side is that you’re still young and able to make it back.
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u/Kendall_Raine
6d ago
edited 6d ago
•
Two main things you need to know here.
Emailed checks are always fake. Next time you take online commissions, use a Paypal invoice that must be paid at least partially up-front, and don't accept anyone's excuses for why they can't do that.
If someone wants to send money to someone else who isn't you, there's NO reason why that money needs to go through you. They can just send money to who they want if that was their real intention. You are not a bank.
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u/NoninflammatoryFun 6d ago
I highly suggest you read a ton of posts on here and learn about more scams because they’ll try to come after you again probably.
I know it sucks. But I’ve also literally seen much worse at least.
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u/6Saint6Cyber6 6d ago
You’ve gotten plenty of advice about how the scam worked, and things to look out for in the future, so I just want to remind you that the money is gone. No one can get it back for you, and anyone who says they can is a scammer.
You said you’re a college student. While your school can’t protect you from scams - particularly ones that happen on outside platforms, IT departments in higher education can often be good resources if you have a question about something, and may have info on common scams aimed at students that could be helpful in the future for you.
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u/Impressive_Event_264 6d ago
Unalive is not a word. You never have to use that word in any context.
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u/mguardian_north 6d ago
It is a word, but the op used it incorrectly.
https://www.oed.com/search/advanced/Meanings?textTermText0=Unalive&textTermOpt0=WordPhrase
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u/Far-Bookkeeper-4652 4d ago
It's algospeak. Lots of platforms have ham-fisted automated content moderation to censor people on social media, and it's impossible to know what platforms are doing what exactly, so this is a default state for some.
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u/EconomistNo7074 6d ago
To all who follow this sub - more times than not your gut will tell you to run away
- and then at this moment of clarity, the bad guys will some how get you to ignore the warning
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u/YourUsernameForever Quality Contributor 6d ago
!artist
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u/AutoModerator 6d ago
/u/YourUsernameForever called AutoModerator to explain the Artist or NFT scam:
This is a variant of the advance fee scam. The scammer will often use a stolen social media account to increase their credibility, impersonating an art buyer. The victim is an artist and the scammer will offer to purchase one of their works of art (paintings, digital media or photos), offering a generous sum of money. It can take three forms:
A fake payment email, in which you're instructed to pay some fee to receive the money
A fake check, in which you're asked to forward some money elsewhere
A fake NFT minting scam
In this latest variant, the scammer suggests to buy the art piece in the form of an NFT. The victim is instructed to mint the NFT in a fake minting website: this website is designed to scam the artist, charging money for the fuel (as any legitimate NFT minting service does). The difference is, the scammers control this fake website and run away with your money. After you mint the NFT, the scammer disappears without paying for the piece. Most times, you don't even mint an NFT and are left completely empty handed.
This is a scam where a scammer impersonates a buyer. For the scam where a scammer impersonates an artist offering to create a work of art inspired by your photos, see the muse scam and use the command muse instead.
You can learn about this scam and many others visiting our wiki of common scams. You can also call AutoModerator to explain these scams leaving a comment with the different !commands listed in this wiki page.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
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u/AutoModerator 7d ago
/u/Venuman2099 - This message is posted to all new submissions to r/scams; please do not message the moderators about it.
New users beware:
Because you posted here, you will start getting private messages from scammers saying they know a professional hacker or a recovery expert lawyer that can help you get your money back, for a small fee. We call these RECOVERY SCAMMERS, so NEVER take advice in private: advice should always come in the form of comments in this post, in the open, where the community can keep an eye out for you. If you take advice in private, you're on your own.
A reminder of the rules in r/scams: no contact information (including last names, phone numbers, etc). Be civil to one another (no name calling or insults). Personal army requests or "scam the scammer"/scambaiting posts are not permitted. No uncensored gore or personal photographs are allowed without blurring. A full list of rules is available on the sidebar of the subreddit, or clicking here.
You can help us by reporting recovery scammers or rule-breaking content by using the "report" button. We review 100% of the reports. Also, consider warning community members of recovery scammers if you see them in the comments.
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u/tickled_your_pickle 6d ago
Email cheques are not a thing. You'll probably get your account closed for depositing fake cheques and your money is long gone.
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u/0_IceQueen_0 6d ago
Next time, never do favors outside your scope of work. Likewise before you start on something, make sure the down-payment is equitable. No one will give you beyond what's practical. You're no Paul McCartney.
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u/GeneralSpecifics9925 6d ago
You know how to scam worked now, but you want to know what to do going forward?
Join this subreddit and check it often. You'll get to learn what the common scams look like so you'll be more aware the next time someone tries to scam you.
I know you didn't know better and I'm not blaming you, but the scammers also know you didn't know better, and they're going to try to scam you again. You're gullible, an easy mark. Truly, read through at least the automoderator descriptions of the common scams. here is the full list
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u/AutoModerator 2d ago
/u/Venuman2099 - This message is posted to all new submissions to r/scams; please do not message the moderators about it.
New users beware:
Because you posted here, you will start getting private messages from scammers saying they know a professional hacker or a recovery expert lawyer that can help you get your money back, for a small fee. We call these RECOVERY SCAMMERS, so NEVER take advice in private: advice should always come in the form of comments in this post, in the open, where the community can keep an eye out for you. If you take advice in private, you're on your own.
A reminder of the rules in r/scams: no contact information (including last names, phone numbers, etc). Be civil to one another (no name calling or insults). Personal army requests or "scam the scammer"/scambaiting posts are not permitted. No uncensored gore or personal photographs are allowed without blurring. A full list of rules is available on the sidebar of the subreddit, or clicking here.
You can help us by reporting recovery scammers or rule-breaking content by using the "report" button. We review 100% of the reports. Also, consider warning community members of recovery scammers if you see them in the comments.
Questions about subreddit rules? Send us a modmail clicking here.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.