Very suspicious posts about checks received

https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-765-6998

I can't put my finger on anything that definitely indicates a scam. But almost none of the posts gives me a persuasive reason why these people would be searching a phone number web site. Many don't even mention the phone number.

I agree with you Sir B
They seem to all be military but something is rotten in Denmark.
Sure smells of a scam....

Edited with updated information:

Found better information on it :
http://www.weartv.com/news/features/top-stori ... cam-47183.shtml

Good job Willow!!!
I searched BofA website and of course they had nothing posted.
I am always in awe of all you computer whizzes. I consider myself lucky to have found this website.

I get the same creepy feeling as Sir Bed, mainly because the thread is suddenly active with inquiries about a mystery "check" and absolutely no one is providing context or discussion of phone calls. I feel like I've walked into a movie screening thirty minutes late.

I thought something about BoA payments to service members sounded familiar. There was a DoJ settlement with big box mortgage lenders 2.5 years ago for illegal foreclosure on service member homeowners, ordering restitution. Victims were to either get their houses back no strings attached or fat damage award checks, some possibly getting both. The dollar figures cited in the number thread don't jive with the payouts expected from the settlement, but that's a premise I would try if I wanted to scam military families. The item Willow found may indicate that the crooks did not give their ruse even as much thought as I did, if their patter is merely "thankful for their service" and presenting a bogus refund. Certainly that story would have broader appeal.

People receiving things which look like checks supposedly because they are affiliated with military can of course perform their own due diligence at a trusted bank and by questioning *directly* what the check claims is its issuing bank through a customer service channel *that bank* publicizes.

Here's some of the foreclosure settlement material:

DoJ press release
Service Members to Receive $39 Million for Violations of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2013/April/13-crt-383.html

Department of Justice (DoJ) National Mortgage Settlement
http://hap.usace.army.mil/OtherOptions.html

Joint State-Federal National Mortgage Servicing Settlements
http://www.nationalmortgagesettlement.com

I also read that Countrywide is being held accountable for over writing mortgages to obtain quota bonus. BofA bought Countrywide in 2006..
I will keep you posted on that topic as my original loan was sold to Countrywide then BofA in 2006.

Also wouldn't these letters be more detailed about why they're getting this check?

FIA card services is mentioned and is a subsidiary of BOA.  SSCRA is the relief act for active duty service members that limits interest charged to 6%.

I would say that those are the only two true statements in the bunch.  Why would all those people post under that number that they received a check in the mail?  If they truly were service members would they not know of the SSCRA?  Either it is a troll trying to take up space, or there is a con in there somewhere that we are unaware of.

I think the whole thread should be purged, since there is no mention of an actual scam or criminal act.

Bank of Big Box doesn't mail checks without a good reason (or being forced by a judge) to people who don't already know they're coming. Lawsuit class members typically get a paper notice to respond well before a settlement process even begins. There is besides no guarantee that lead plaintiffs will win or that any award will be made.

I predict this will wash out as another cheap scam targeting service members, who are viewed as soft targets. They tend to be transient, young, and lacking personal finance street smarts. Factor in their difficulty in managing affairs at home while stationed far away and their attractively steady paychecks. Payday lenders, as one example, crawl over service members like ants at a picnic.

I don't think you want me derailing this thread in revulsion for BoA and C-Wide, a perfect mating of crooked bankers if ever I saw one.

Can anyone explain how the scam is supposed to work? I can see the person receiving and attempting to deposit the check getting hit with fees from their banks but I can't see any gain for the "scammer". What am I missing?

We'll need the entire cover letter reproduced to be sure of the premise. The number thread is maddeningly shy on detail.

I had totally forgotten the CFPB busted BoA this Spring for bogus bill padding. Says its April notice: "If you’re impacted by the announcement, you don’t have to take any action to receive a credit or check. If you are one of the consumers affected by the order, Bank of America should have already notified you or will notify you directly."

Compensating consumers for Bank of America’s illegal tactics for credit card add-on products
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/explainer ... dd-on-products/

Now compare to the letter pull quote in the WEAR-TV story: "We may not have provided you with the letter of service you deserve, and are providing you with this check. There's nothing you need to do other than cash this check."

I note the call to action is "cash this check", not "call this number", casting the long shadow of doubt on that number thread. I also note that SCRA claims are not part of the CFPB action. I guess the cited letter doesn't mention the CFPB action, but maybe it's implied.

I'm waiting for the shoe to drop which asks for an upfront "processing fee". Or else a recipient is supposed to turn to the scammer for a rescue when the bogus check bounces and give away privileged information. One can only speculate more without better details.

The premise thus far seems to hinge on refunds for excess interest per the SCRA. There have been a few lenders busted for overcharging active service members in the past couple years. So far I can't find any publicity for a similar case naming BoA. Several claims made in the contested number thread don't add up for me. I'm keeping quiet on my theory and hoping the commentor(s) connect(s) more dots.

During my data hunt I found a different thread with a similar problem of many commentors assuring us "the check is legit" and others not so convinced. The comment activity was all within the last trimester of 2013, right about when Affinion Group / Trilegiant settled with all but four states for sliding piggyback subscriber services onto consumer bank accounts and leeching funds through negative option billing. Affinion did have to refund its victims, but this again doesn't explain why some people felt a need to run to a mystery call website to brag about their checks.

BoA / Affinion thread
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-608-7627

Affinion Group listing on BBB  (see "Government Actions")
http://www.bbb.org/connecticut/Business-Revie ... rd-ct-41001179/

California DoJ press release
http://oag.ca.gov/consumers/affinion_group

Note that "Affinion Group is required to provide written notice to its members of their right to receive a refund." ..... not a phone call, a notice on paper, as is typical.

Have the site admins been notified to investigate?  It would be a simple matter to check the IPs of the posters to see if a shill pattern is present.

BigA apparently beat you to that idea by a half hour.

Already the defensive and haughty rebuttals have begun, among waves of posts under varying aliases, many asserting military affiliation.

A suspiciously large number of posts coming into that thread in a very short amount of time. I hope the admins do take a look at it. I'm very curious to see if there are duplicate IP addresses involved.

How's it goin' SB?
This one has got me intrigued. I'm "Goin' In!". I've posted. I've been responded to. I'm going on the offensive. I watched for a while. Waited. Some things made some sense. Until looked at. I'll know more tomorrow. See my last post.
I'm sure we're looking at some domestic players. The wording makes that clear. I want them. I don't know about you SB, but I take great umbrage at a fraud that might prey on American service men & their families. I may be an American of Swedish heritage who served for Israel in the IDF. I AM an American. A Methodist. Confusing as that may be...
Regardless, I want the ones behind this last onslaught. They're dangerous. They're domestic. They disgust me.
Alska,
Gunnar