Ex has been using my checking account

[Anonymous]

My ex knew my banking information. I found out that several months ago, he set up an auto pay account using my checking account.

I also have a relationship with the vendor involved so I did not catch it until now. My bad.

What would you do? I've demanded restitution. Money is always a problem with him and he's been known to "accidentally" take or "borrow" money inappropriately in the past. Otherwise we have a reasonably civil co parenting relationship.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Have you already made sure it can't happen again?

[Anonymous]

Criminal complaint with the police.

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

You can call the bank and they will give you a new account number if it is compromised. You'll unfortunately have to update all of your auto-pays and direct deposit, but I think it is a small price to pay to keep your ex out of your money.

Your routing number is assigned based on where the account was opened (what state) and the bank itself.

[Anonymous]

Change your banking account and don't give him checks in the future. Put them in the mail and send them to the people that you need to send them to. If he pays you back immediately, then tell him the next time will result in criminal charges for theft. If he doesn't pay you back right away, the criminal complaint happens this time.

[Anonymous]

Change your bank account number pronto. Never trust him with that info ever again, never leave your purse with him, etc.

[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?

anyone to whom you've ever made out a check has your bank routing number and bank account number (it's on the bottom of each check). So this is not the issue. he has access to your account so as other PPs have said, you need to talk or go visit the bank itself, change account numbers AND set up additional security measures.

this may include changing your online banking username ID and password - and choose at least a password that he could never guess.

monitor your statements very carefully and definitely as others have mentioned, follow through with criminal charges (not just the threat of them).

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't say anything to him, I would just change the acct number and tell him it got compromised and the bank changed it. And would act like I didn't notice anything.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

So he stole from you? Make a police report.

[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?

Jesus, I'm sorry but really? Transfer your account now to another account and close the old one.

Tell him if the money is not returned in x days, you are filing a police complaint

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Change your banking account and don't give him checks in the future. Put them in the mail and send them to the people that you need to send them to. If he pays you back immediately, then tell him the next time will result in criminal charges for theft. If he doesn't pay you back right away, the criminal complaint happens this time.

What she (or he) said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Change your banking account and don't give him checks in the future. Put them in the mail and send them to the people that you need to send them to. If he pays you back immediately, then tell him the next time will result in criminal charges for theft. If he doesn't pay you back right away, the criminal complaint happens this time.

What she (or he) said.

+2

This is a no brainer

[Anonymous]

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.