How to get your money back from internet fraud.

How to Get Your Money Back From an Internet scaM

Fraudsters can produce fake checks with stolen information.

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Internet scammers can obtain your bank information by hacking sites and stores you’ve visited or simply by tricking you into divulging information or disbursing your funds. As a scam victim, you can file a police report, although Internet crime often crosses international borders, which can make prosecution tricky. Consequently, recovering your money from the scammers themselves can prove difficult or impossible. However, you can generally recover your losses if you act quickly and contact your bank. Laws protecting consumers from Internet-based financial fraud vary based upon the payment method.

Credit Card Fraud

The Fair Credit Billing Act includes provisions that protect consumers from credit card fraud. You should notify your bank immediately if you have reason to believe your card details have been compromised. Most credit card companies have 24-hour hotlines to report such fraud. Hotline numbers are normally listed on the back of the card. While you are liable for up to $50 of charges if your physical card is lost or stolen, you have zero liability for Internet fraud or other situations when the card details rather than the physical card are compromised. Your card issuer may ask you to complete a fraud affidavit detailing the unsanctioned transactions. The issuer will credit your account and provide you with a new card.

Debit Card Claims

As with credit cards, you have zero liability for fraudulent charges as long as you notify your bank of the issue before any charges hit your account. The Electronic Funds Act states that your bank can hold you liable for $50 of charges if you notify it of the fraud within two business days. Your liability rises to $500 if you take more than two days but less than 60 days to alert your bank of fraudulent charges. You have unlimited liability for charges if you wait more than 60 days to alert your bank. However, these deadlines are legal maximums and many banks voluntarily refund unauthorized charges. To report fraud, contact your bank’s emergency hotline and complete a fraud affidavit.

Electronic Debits

Online fraudsters can use your bank account and routing number to make electronic withdrawals from your account. Such debits are subject to regulations established by the National Automated Clearing House Association. You have zero liability for unauthorized ACH charges as long as you notify your bank within 60 days of the debits clearing your account. Thereafter, you assume full liability for any charges. You should contact your bank as soon as you notice any fraudulent debits, and you may need to complete an affidavit. Your bank may recommend closing the account to prevent future charges.

Check Fraud

Aside from ACH debits, an online fraudster could use your account and routing number to create duplicate checks. Fraudsters can then use the checks to make in-person withdrawals from your account. Under the Uniform Commercial Code, remotely created unauthorized checks are invalid. Consequently, liability for losses falls to the bank accepting the item rather than the account owner. You have zero liability for online based check fraud. Significantly, the UCC doesn’t impose any timelines on consumers to report the fraud.

Is the Bank Obligated to Refund Stolen Money From My Debit Card?

By Jack Ori Updated  March 28, 2018

Banks are typically obligated to refund money so long as the customer follows fraud reporting procedures.

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Debit cards offer consumers the convenience of paying for items immediately without having to carry cash. However, if thieves get a consumer’s debit card number, they can wreak havoc with a customer’s finances by draining his bank account through fraudulent purchases. In most cases, banks must refund the money as long as the customer follows fraud reporting procedures.

Risk When Using Debit Cards

Money is immediately withdrawn from the account when using a debit card.

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When using a debit card, the money is automatically and immediately withdrawn from your checking account. If you report a fraudulent transaction, the bank must replace the money; however, you may find yourself without funds until it does so. In contrast, if someone makes fraudulent charges on your credit card, you can dispute the charge prior to paying the bill.

Time Frame

Some banks complete an investigation to verify that charges are fraudulent before replacing your money.

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Privacy Rights says that banks may take up to two weeks to refund stolen money after you report the theft. The policy as to how quickly stolen money is replaced differs from bank to bank. Some banks may replace the money as soon as the theft is reported, while others wait until they have completed an investigation and verified that charges are fraudulent.

Liability for Fraudulent Charges

Your liability for fraudulent debit card purchases is $50.

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Federal law as of 2010 limits your liability for fraudulent charges using your debit card to $50. To take advantage of this law, you must report the fraudulent charges within two business days of the charge. After two business days, your liability goes up to $500. If you do not report the theft for more than 60 days after receiving your statement, the bank has no obligation to refund your money at all.

How to Limit Your Liability

Call the merchant if you do not recognize a charge on your account.

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Many banks allow you to check your balance online. Make a habit of doing so daily so that you can catch fraudulent charges immediately. If you do not recognize a charge on your online statement, call the merchant to try to find out more about the charge. If you do not recognize the charge after taking this step, call your bank’s 800 number immediately and report the fraudulent charge. Ask your bank to cancel your debit card and issue you a new one to stop thieves from continuing to use your account.

When you sign up for a debit card, ask your bank about how to enroll in fraud protection programs. Some banks automatically freeze your account and require you to verify charges if you spend over a certain amount or spend money in an unusual location such as a different state.

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