Adam North

This must be a very stressful situation. It sounds like Adam North promised you a personal loan but ended up committing check fraud on your bank accounts. Here's what you should do immediately:

• Contact your bank(s). Report the fraudulent activity to your bank(s) immediately. Explain the situation and ask them to freeze your accounts and reverse any unauthorized transactions.
• File a police report. Report the scam and check fraud to your local police department. This will create a record of the crime and may be helpful in getting your money back or pursuing legal action.
• Change your bank account information. Once your accounts are secure, consider changing your account numbers and debit card information.
• Don't communicate with Adam North. He's a scammer, and any further contact could put you at risk.

Unique Tip for This Scam: The scammer mentioned "www.lightstream.com." LightStream is a legitimate lender. However, scammers often use the names of real companies to make their offers seem more credible. In the future, be cautious of anyone who claims to represent a financial institution but directs you away from their official website or phone number. Always contact the company directly to verify the offer.

Unfortunately, loan scams are quite common. Here's how to avoid them in the future:

• Be wary of unsolicited loan offers. If someone contacts you out of the blue with a loan offer, it's likely a scam.
• Research lenders thoroughly. Before applying for any loan, research the lender online and read reviews from other borrowers. Look for lenders with a good reputation and a proven track record.
• Never pay upfront fees. Legitimate lenders typically don't require upfront fees before approving a loan.
• Don't share your bank account information with strangers. Only provide your bank details to a lender after you've verified their legitimacy.
• Beware of unrealistic interest rates. If a loan offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Resources for Help:

These resources can provide additional support and information:

• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) - https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/ ¹    
• Your Local Better Business Bureau - https://www.bbb.org/

Remember, getting scammed can be very frustrating, but you're not alone. There are resources available to help you recover financially and emotionally. Don't hesitate to reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or legal professional for additional support.