Fake Check Schemes

10. August 2008 by admin.

We continue to see an increase in cases of residents falling victim to check schemes. The most common is where the victim has advertised a product or service online or in a print publication and the schemer (”buyer”) will contact the victim and offer to purchase (or offer an “advance”)the product or service that is being advertised. The victim provides the schemer with their mailing address and a check is issued. The scheme usually involved the victim cashing the check at a bank and sending “shipping & handling” or other costs to an address via western union. When the bank cashes the check and the victim has already sent the money to the schemer. When the bank cannot collect the funds and determines the check is fake the victim now becomes responsible for the full amount of the check that was issued and now has fallen victim in the thousands of dollars. Since the scam has surfaced a lot of banks are more alert and able to detect the check is fake before it is even cashed.

Remember if it sounds too good to be true that is usually the case. Some important things to remember:

-the “buyer” requests the money be sent to another country or the “buyer” is from another country

-”buyer” requests the money wired after you have deposited the check

-there is no legitimate reason for the”buyer” who is giving you money to request money to be wired back.

Resource: http://www.fraud.org?ref=cybercrime.gibsoncountysheriff.com

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