On Aug. 5 I received a call from a gentleman from Ohio. This person verified who I was, then proceeded to tell me that he received a check, via FedEx, in the amount of $2,500. I asked this man to read me the numbers on the check, and sure enough, this was my exact bank account numbers.

I pleaded with this man, not to cash the check, because somehow someone has found a way to get my account information, for which he promised not to.

I then proceeded to check my account and – lo and behold – someone had cashed a check against my account in the amount of $1,950. Honestly, I believe that the teller was supposed to verify funds before cashing the check but, somehow, that didn't happen.

I stopped all payments on my account, made a sheriff's report and came home to a continuation of receiving calls from other honest people from New York, New Jersey, Michigan, another from Ohio and here in our own wonderful state, California.

During this time, my fiancée had the same issue happen also, with calls from New York and Delaware.

I called the FBI. They took my information, but told me that I should contact the Secret Service, because this isn't their job.

When I got through to the Secret Service, the lady who spoke to me told me that they really can't help me because many times this comes out of Nigeria and that it isn't their jurisdiction.

She really seemed disinterested and I had to practically force all of my information down her throat.

I'm on my own. The only thing protecting me is the sheriff's report, or else the bank will charge my account for this.

On Aug. 7 I received another call, this time from Louisiana.

All I can say is, “You're on your own.”

David W. Smith lives in Nice, Calif.