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Date Posted: 22:29:08 03/22/04 Mon
Author: Repost
Subject: Internet Scam Raids Customers' Bank Account

Internet Scam Raids Customers' Bank Account
PharmacyCard.com Accused Of Taking Money Without Authorization

POSTED: 3:42 pm EST March 22, 2004
UPDATED: 3:59 pm EST March 22, 2004

The newest Internet scam is a Web site that takes money out of your bank account without your permission.

Brijesh Trapathi checked his bank statement and found a $139 hole.

"Someone knows about my account. Someone has my check, actually," Trapathi said.

But Trapathi, an electrical engineer, didn't take the loss sitting down. He tracked his missing money to a Web site called PharmacyCards.com, a company that, without his knowledge or permission, withdrew $139 out of his checking account.

"Oh, never. I haven't heard about this company before they took the money out of my account," Trapathi said.

The check did not have a signature, but it said that it had been authorized.

Bob Sullivan of MSNBC.com tracks online scams. He says thousands of people have complained about the Web site in the last few weeks. All of them have had money taken out of their accounts.

"A lot of people don't realize there are ways for bad guys to use just an account number and a routing number and authorize a transaction from your bank and you'll never even know about it until you get the bank statement," Sullivan said.

PharmacyCards.com has a Canadian address, with a web registry in India, so it is almost impossible to track it down.

But the fraud investigators are hot on the trail and Trapathi expects to get his money back soon.

Since the check claims to be authorized by the customer, the bank gave the money to PharmacyCards.com. Other victims Consumer Alert spoke to said they will close their bank accounts.

The best way to protect yourself and your money from the scam is simple. Check your bank account to look for irregularities and don't write checks to people you don't know.

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