Ex has been using my checking account

[Anonymous]

write...fingers not caught up with brain!

[Anonymous]

Did he set up the auto-pay before or after you broke up?

In any case, I would change the banking information and tell him you want to be repaid. I wouldn't pursue criminal charges.

[Anonymous]

Get a new bank account and use their free bill pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree -- by just having the account number and routing number, no issues there. How was he using your account? Does he have your online access so he can log on and do things from your account? I'm a little confused about how this happened. Was he able to sign up for autopay just by having your account number? If so, then yes, you need to change everything and don't give him any access.

I would also threaten further action if he doesn't pay you the money. You can start with something short of calling the police. A letter from your lawyer (or a letter you right saying you've talked to your lawyer). Have someone help you write it. My ex pushes the line a lot and when I've looked into what I can do to make his life miserable, he usually relents. Still stressful and time consuming on my end, but we make it just to the point of having to go the lawyers. He's an ass that way.

As someone who is dealing with check fraud on my checking account, this is not true. Anyone that has your account number and routing information can create a check and cash it against your account. The bank assumes it is true. This is what happened in my case, and I have to go through a bunch of hoopla to get this significant amount of money back.

OP, get a new account and guard it with your life.

[Anonymous]

I called the bank. If someone has your name, account number and routing number, they can debit your account! And there is no extra security you can put on the account. A copy of a check is enough to create this vulnerability. - OP.

[Anonymous]

NP, I must be missing something. However the ex got the checking acct info before, how would he get it now if you changed it OP?? Are you paying him for something in checks? If so, can you stop paying him in checks and pay him in either cash or, pain in the butt as it is, money orders?

I just dont understand why this is such a difficult problem to solve. Getting the already-spent money back, that may be hard. But why is it so hard to stop him from doing it again?? Just change the bank info and don't give it to him, don't pay him in checks, and maybe put a fraud alert on your credit file. Why so hard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How can I stop him from doing it again? Because of our co parenting situation, he sometimes brings checks, for example, to a day care provider or therapist. He sometimes does me "favors" by taking our child to therapy. I am the primary custodial parent.

As long as he knows my account and routing number he can always do it again, right?

So change your account and routing number and you drop off the checks, duh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP, I must be missing something. However the ex got the checking acct info before, how would he get it now if you changed it OP?? Are you paying him for something in checks? If so, can you stop paying him in checks and pay him in either cash or, pain in the butt as it is, money orders?

I just dont understand why this is such a difficult problem to solve. Getting the already-spent money back, that may be hard. But why is it so hard to stop him from doing it again?? Just change the bank info and don't give it to him, don't pay him in checks, and maybe put a fraud alert on your credit file. Why so hard?

No, the logistics of changing the bank account number are not hard. It's deciding whether to press charges that's bothering me.

The observations about the account number are just about how easy it is for anyone to do this. Rather shocking that there's no additional security the bank can add to folks whose accounts have been compromised, such as a pin perhaps? But nope, according to the bank, they can't.

[Anonymous]

You need to protect yourself since you know what he will do. It is not a favor if I steals from you so you can't allow him access to your financial information in the future. Figure out how to pay therapist and daycare without using him as the carrier. You are in a tough position with him being the father of your child, so I don't know that getting the police involved.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, OP. I'm still trying to wrap my head around how someone could be out a grand before they noticed this sort of thing!!!

Change your account, and be sure your ex doesn't get access to the new one.

If you can be without a grand without noticing, it sounds like this hasn't really caused you any harm. As such, I wouldn't press criminal charges. I would confront my ex, though. And make some kind of written note of the matter.

Next time you want to "lose" $1000, send it my way, k?

[Anonymous]

You've changed accounts already, right? If not they why in the world not?

I would let him and the one vendor know that due to unauthorized use of your account, the account has changed and so has the way you handle it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Total damages just under $1000.

Criminal charges? For the parent of your children? How do I explain that to my 10 year old?

I realize that I don't have good judgment when it comes to my ex and his bad behavior, I certainly didn't while we were married, so that's why I'm asking about opinions about criminal charges.

You tell the kid that Daddy stole money from your bank account and it's a felony. Not okay.

I would tel Daddy that he can pay the money back immediately or you can go to the police. I would also tell him that if he ever does it again, you are going to the police without even telling him about it.