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Apr 20, 2007 -- Phony cashier's scams still circulating

A couple months ago, Clark shared the story of Shirley Tias. She had received checks in the mail from scam artists. They conned her into thinking she’d won a lottery. She deposits the checks thinking they’re legitimate. But they bounce and she ends up getting charged with fraud. She spent a night in jail and was facing more time behind bars if prosecuted. Thankfully, the charges were dropped once it got to court. But the process is ridiculous. How many times is law enforcement going to get this wrong? They go after the victim instead of the criminals, who in this case were in Canada. The reality is that we could stop this if banks updated their systems to verify checks electronically. There is no reason why a check that someone deposits can’t be checked on the spot to determine if it’s a fake. But banks don’t want to spend the money to upgrade. If nothing else, post signs warning people about phony cashier’s checks. Basically, the banks don’t care. As a result, about 50 innocent people get taken and end up in jail each year. They will continue to get taken unless the financial industry takes an interest.

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What others are saying

  • Checks in the mail
    My 88 year old parents get fake checks in the mail almost daily. They cash them, they bounce, but what happens then? I worry the con is to get their bank account number. They can't explain every check on their account. Help!@
  • my 16 year old son won $95.700!!!
    Isn't that great?!! It's just a darn good thing that I intercepted the mail. There is a check enclosed for $1,450.98 drawn from BankOne under the business account of Bay Valley Foods - it even has their corp logos. The check looks VERY real.... They say in the letter that the check is to cover "taxes" on his winnings.... I know he would have definitely run off and cashed the check if I hadn't seen it first -- he's only 16!!!
  • Mystery Shopper Scam
    I was researching mystery shoppping online and filled out an application with United Consumer Research, I recieved a letter and check in the mail one week later telling me that I have been hired and this is my first assignment.The check was for $3,800 I was to send $3,200 thru Western Union and rate their service. I was then to spend $40 at Sears and $20 at Walmart and rate their service. I did this and three days later my bank contacted me and said the check bounced. The banker told me this is a scam and you, as the depositer are responsible for the money. My checking account is now in the negative and I am disputing the claim. My bank says I am solely resposible for the money, but I feel that they released the funds before the check cleared, aren't they partially responsible?
    HELP!!
    You can email me at srcooper@sonic.net
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