Scammed For £3000. What Chance Of Getting It Back?

[ladybirder]

My son and his wife have just been scammed for £3k and are in bits. It's the scam where the scammer sends you a cheque for more than the price of the deal and you give them the difference and then the cheque, which to all appearances has cleared, then doesn't. The bank concerned is Santander and is saying they are not responsible in any way.

They so desperately needed this money and I can't believe they've been so stupid. Had they mentioned it to me I would have warned them.

So question is, is there any chance or any way they can get their money back?

Thanks.

[Daffy6543]

http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

This is the website and phone number to report cases of fraud (and scams) to the UK police. They will accept all reports, even if the offender appears to be in another country.

[ladybirder]

Jeffa they are not in the position of having to borrow money, yet, but they know I will help them if they ever needed to. They just can't afford to lose £3k.
I hope they will move on but I fear my son will brood on it.
I'll talk to them about reporting to the police. No harm in them ringing and asking.
Thanks everyone, you've been very helpful. X

[factor-fiction]

Phew, methyl- I'm not sure where that idea has come from

[factor-fiction]

http://payontime.co.uk/cheques-and-cheque-clearing/cheques-and-the-cheque-clearing-system

[SirOracle]

You are not alone Methyl in your thoughts.

[ladybirder]

Methyl, Sir O. you are worrying me now. Can you please explain what your concern for me is? I'd like to sleep tonight:-)

[Daffy6543]

Ladybirder, they seem to think your son may be trying to scam you.

[hc4361]

I think Methyl is suggesting that your son is trying to scam you, ladybirder, and has in fact lost no money to fraudsters.

[SirOracle]

Ok ladybirder just so you can sleep tonight. Is it not a possibility that your family members could be short of funds and this could be be a way of them raising this money from you.

I apologise for making this possible suggestion,as I do not know your relatives. It is just that I have a very suspicious mind sometimes.

I hope this is an outlandish thought of mine.

[ladybirder]

Oh I see. Not in a million years I'm happy to say. Straight as they come, both of them. He has only ever borrowed off me once in his life when he was a young man and he paid it all back. They are actually in a solid financial position, no debts, big house paid for, two holiday lets (paid for), BUT as I said they have both lost their jobs this summer so it's a cash flow problem. They need the lets to be bringing in money for them to live on until they can get another job, at least one of them. My son's MiL and me have offered to lend them money if they get into difficulty and losing a precious £3k has probably brought that probability nearer. No need to scam, they know it's there if they need it. But thanks for watching my back guys. I'm giggling here now.

[SirOracle]

Thank you ladybird. I am so glad that you were not offended by my suggestion.

[ladybirder]

Not at all. Off to bed now. Goodnight.

[SirOracle]

Sleep well.

[Peter Pedant]

I am so sorry to hear this: I think you know the likely answer

[ladybirder]

Slept very well thank you Sir O and thank you to PP as well.
And Daffy I will get them to use the link you kindly sent at 22.38 yesterday.