How do I fix my account after a Western Union money transfer scam? (See details)?

I'm actually asking for a friend. Her husband was contacted by someone who was going to send him two western union money transfers. He was to deposit said transfer into his account, keep 10%, and get another cashier's check to send onto a third party. He did this before realizing that it was a scam. One of the money transfers was discovered as counterfeit.





My question is...What does he do now? He is going to the police tomorrow morning to seek assistance, but I'm really worried for their finances...They are not so well off to begin with, and having his account negative by hundreds of dollars is really going to hurt them - Especially since his paychecks are direct deposited into that account. (He is calling his job to have them send him live checks instead of direct deposit, and hopefully they can process it in time for them not to lose even more money.)





How do they recover from this? I am really worried for them.





Also, is he going to be charged with anything, or fined for perpetuating this scam? He honestly had no idea it was a scam.





Thanks in advance.|||Going to the police is always a good idea.





Also, contacting the bank, and explain could help as well.





Basically, if you have cashed a false cheque/money order - you are liable for the entire amount. If he hasn`t done anything yet - not all may be lost, but if it was spent already then it needs to be paid back.





The police would be the ones to maybe help him recover some (if not all) of the money - but giving details (where did the check go to the third party) is of vital importance.





He should be open and honest - and ask the bank to help him clear this problem.


Since this type of scam is rather obvious - i doubt he`ll get charged with anything. Whatever he does, he should give as much details and info (mails, sent items, anything he has) about this case to the police.





I think, given the current situation, we should have as a mantra "Do not use western union - it is not to be trusted".


This next to the age old "if it sounds too good to be true - it is".





There are other sources on the internet that could help him.


One such site is Scambusters - they send out a weekly newsletter with tips - and have a nice archive too.





If he wants - he can contact me through my Y!A profile. If not a solution, at least he`ll have a listing (reading?) ear (eye?).





For future info - he can check the archives of this mailinglist:


http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/sc鈥?/a>


And joining is free too - share expiriences, learn to detect scams etc.|||I do not think the account needs to be "fixed," did your friend give out any personal information? If so, then yes, he needs to change his password. He needs to contact his bank to cancel any accounts, and/or cards that may be affected. He needs to stop any automatic payments through the bank so he is not hit with overdraft fees. He will be held responsible for the return of the total amount of the bad checks. Going to the police is absolutely necessary. They will have to tighten their belts until they can get this straightened out. But I do not think he will be charged with any crime, as they can not arrest you for not having any common sense.


If it sounds too good to be true, then it usually is. No one, and I do mean NO one gives anybody more money that is necessary for purchases and/or services. And no legitimate person or business uses a third party for payments of any kind, much less giving said party a percentage of total! Please!


Sorry ...