My jurisdiction is: Virginia
Recently I was instructed by a Wachovia Bank Teller that I could deposit a donated check for $3550.00 which was later found to be counterfeit into my ATM to get around the approval process so I could get back some money right away. I only deposited the bogus check and withdrew money on her instructions and used the $742.00 to pay overdue bills. About 2 weeks later Wachovia froze my accounts and declared that I owed them money. I admit I was a patsy in this bogus check scam but shouldn't the Bank bear some responsibility and work with me on repayment, instead of placing the full blame on me, and threatening to report my organization as a bad check entity? Do I have some legal recourse around this repayment? I heard that some Banks waive the repayment in mitigating circumstances involving fraud on their customers. Do I have a way around this repayment of $742.00? I didn't act out of avarice or threw caution to the wind. Afterall, I was the intended victim of this check scam. How can I get Wachovia to accept partial responsibility for the act of their employee? Is there a law that they are responsible for the negligent acts of their employees?
Recently I was instructed by a Wachovia Bank Teller that I could deposit a donated check for $3550.00 which was later found to be counterfeit into my ATM to get around the approval process so I could get back some money right away. I only deposited the bogus check and withdrew money on her instructions and used the $742.00 to pay overdue bills. About 2 weeks later Wachovia froze my accounts and declared that I owed them money. I admit I was a patsy in this bogus check scam but shouldn't the Bank bear some responsibility and work with me on repayment, instead of placing the full blame on me, and threatening to report my organization as a bad check entity? Do I have some legal recourse around this repayment? I heard that some Banks waive the repayment in mitigating circumstances involving fraud on their customers. Do I have a way around this repayment of $742.00? I didn't act out of avarice or threw caution to the wind. Afterall, I was the intended victim of this check scam. How can I get Wachovia to accept partial responsibility for the act of their employee? Is there a law that they are responsible for the negligent acts of their employees?