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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
Secret shopper scam
has anyone seen a secret shopper scam from a company called "Best Mark?" They send a fake bank of america check made out to you in your name?
Cashiers Check for car
I have been trying to sell my vehicle recently on craigslist.com and have had some luck with responses, but when I got an e-mail from Steve Morn the otehr day I thought that everything was going great. He told me that he wanted to send me a cashiers check for the amount and once i recieved the check and cashed it then I should let him know and he would have an employee come and pick up the car. I of course agreed because I had never heard of anything going wrong with a cashiers check (of course before I read all of the post on this site and many others). Then he e-mailed me again saying that his secretary messed up when sending out the cashiers check and inadverantly sent me a check for over $3,000 more than the amount I was to recieve, so he asked that I would send the amount back after taking the amount he owed me out of it and then everything would be fine. I've talked to numerous people and everyone has said that I should take it to the bank and have the bank tell me if it is fraudulent before I do anything. Do have any other ideas? Thanks
Cashiers check fraud
company in 1945 Ave.,Pascagoula,MS.Check issued from First Federal savings and loan in the amount of 4965.00.Instrutions call 604-710-3432ext201. Press 1 and say your name and wait for the call to be answered. Spend specific amount at Walmart ,Jc penny, Travelex,MoneyGram transfer...and keep 300 for me.It even included a Customer Service Evaluation Sheet.
fraud
a man calling his self john washington sent me a check $4800.00,when i went to the bank to deposit the check,the bank told me the check was fake.the man told me i won 2.5 million dollars and a landrover,they wanted me to send them 3800.00 dollars,then they told me they would come to my home to hand me my check of 2.5 million dollars and the keys to my landrover.i told them to stop calling my phone,but they still call,they told me that i can go to jail,if i dont send them the 3800.00 dollars.they told me to send the 3800.00 to a woman called ruby harris of forest park,georgia,after i told them that i was contacting the the irs they wanted the 4800.00 check back that they sent to me through the mail.the check they sent me was $4800.00,but they wanted me to send them was 3800.00,but i declined to send them anything.the bank is sending me a copy of the check i deposit and they are keeping the real one...then john washington wanted me to go to the bank and get the check,but i told them no,then he told me that i can go to jail for 15 years,for not sending them the 3800.00..i told him why should i send them anything because if i won,why should i have to pay for my prize..then he told me i will receive the $3800 back once the government see the check,and i will get to keep the 2.5 million without any taxes being taken out..i thank god that i didnt send them one penny..i told the man i have three kids,why would you want to scam me,forwhat reason.he gave me his number;876-280-9547 and he also gave me another number,it is 876-371-6565...they say their organization was called usa consumser service...they need to go down,this was my life they tried to steal,im tired of them harassing me,my kids and husband,they are threating me,but im not scared...something needs to be done
WIFE FELL FOR IT
"TAKE YOUR % AND THEN WESTERN UNION BALANCE" COST WIFE $750 APRIL, 2009. I RECEIVED 4 OF THESE EMAILS TODAY TOO (DIFFERENT SENDERS) "Dear job seekers!
Apply for the job. We recommend this position.
JobDescription
If you have a moment, I'd appreciate your help. Please take a look and forward this job on to anyone you think would be interested in the position, or anyone else who could help me find a great candidate.
Thanks for your help!
Would you like to work online from home and get paid weekly?
Top Business needs a Financial representative, so I want to know if you will like to work online from home and get paid weekly without leaving or affecting your present job? We are a consulting company based in the United Kingdom with staff in different parts of the world. We sometimes have clients that owe us funds and pay us in financial Instruments cashable only in the local area. We therefore employ Financial representative who can receive and cash these such payments for a commission and then forward the balance to our office.
I want you to know that the payment will be coming through bank account but after you remove your 5% you will be required to send the rest through western union money transfer. I would like you to know that the job is strictly stress free and very easy, therefore there would be no need for any fee whatsoever as an upfront payment. You will be receiving 5% of every transaction you handle for this company.
The main advantage of our services is the shortest possible time within which the seller can receive money for the services/goods sold. If this operation is delayed, our client will have a right to cancel the contract and we shall suffer financial losses. That's why successful applicant must be very responsible and careful!
APPLY NOW
Please send your Resume ONLY to e-mail: infotop36@yahoo.com
Please do not reply to this email. This is an automated email. If you reply, it cannot be read" SENDERS: Greta Larsen [sharp@o2micro.com], Dianna Brooks [zelphayrodig@np.edu.sg], Rudolph Nadeau [setseru@asianconnect.com], Dewitt Randall [starsos@mbox3.singnet.com.sg], Kim Whittaker [nculgwz@reqa.com]. WISH THE PREDITORS WOULD GET THEIRS.... RICK
new scam aimed at moms
I read an ad regarding how a stay-at-home mom was able to earn a good salary, and all I needed to do was order the kit with this information for $2.95. Well, I ordered it, and three days after the $2.95 was deducted from my account, $69.90 was deducted from a place listed as DRI.REG.NETORD.COM. I called the number associated with this transaction, (had to get it from my bank statement), and the personnel there wouldn't identify the company and claimed it wasn't their account. I demanded another number, and was given another number. When I dialed that number I was told the same thing until I informed the rep that this number was given to me by the folk at the other number....Finally, they admitted it was their charge. I demanded a refund and was told it takes 7-10 business days! I am filing a claim with my bank after the charge goes through, (I can't stop it at this point). DO NOT BE SCAMMED INTO BELIEVING THAT CRAP ON THE INTERNET!!! Learn from my lesson!
lotto scam - check from century healthcare
today i received a check in the mail for $5,000 + stating that i should use part of it to pay applicable government taxes /fees. The check comes from the Century Healthcare, Inc. It is drawn by Wells Fargo Bank. It looks like a very legitimate check. They want me to call a tax agent to arrange the tax payment via money order or cashier check. They claimed I was a declared winner of the National Lotto Co-0peration Sweepstakes lottery, and I would be receiving a total of $150,000.- It looks like a total scam
scam emailer wants info
Dear client of Chase Bank,
Technical services of the Chase Bank are carrying out a planned software upgrade. We earnestly ask you to visit the following link to start the procedure of confirmation on customers data.
This instruction has been sent to all bank customers and is obligatory to follow.
Thank you,
Customers Support Service.
moneygram
I recieved 3 moneygrams valued at $950.00 telling me cash them and keep 10% and send rest to sender. I did not do it. I searched it out and knew my thoughts were right [scam] so they never got me to be stupid!
Think I got a new check scam
Throught job boards on-line, I recently used thejobplanet.com to apply to a position they had posted. Either they are scammers or their data has been highjacked or worse, I just gave them a resume with my contact info and career history. Well, I just got a letter from them congratulating me saying that they have a Customeer Service Evaluator postion for me and I would be acting as a mystery shopper at Walmart. Just call the 1-416-831-1673 for instructions, then take the $2,875.00 JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A check to Walmart to purchase a $40 item, keep $200 for the work and use Walmarts Money Gram service - another +/-$60 and transfer the remaining amount $2,575.00. If this sounds familiar I hope you didn't find out the hard way. No, I plan to rip up this scam letter to include the check. When I get credit card applications in the mail,I say hey look honey, I got another letter from Satan. When I get these, I say hey look honey, I got a letter from Satan's little helpers. I am contacting thejobplanet.com and perhaps the bbb. Thanks Howard.
fake checks
A couple years ago I was not working so I had my resume posted on Monster.com. I received and email form a company saying they saw my resume on Monster and that I was what they are looking for in a work form home program. I was excited because I was inneed of a job. The company then sent me an application form via email with tax forms for me to full out which I did. I even called the number which was on the application and got someone who said that the company was what the email said it was. I was then told that I would be getting checks from their customers in and around my areas and I need to cash the checks take 10% and send the balance by western union to the company. They even send me a list of their customers and the amount that the customers were owing. shortly afer that I got a check from a so called company for $35,000 and I letter saying that he owes $48,000 and he will be sending the balance by next week. I deposited the check and three days after that I got three checks for $300.00 each and I deposited those also. Then I checked my account and found out that the one that I had deposited for $35,000 had cleared so I minus my 10% and sent the balance by western union as instructed. About a week after that I deposited another $35,000 check and that same day I got a notice from the bank that the first check returned unpaid. The bank contacted the police who came to my house for me. I spent a night in jail and went before the judge the next day and was let out because of recugnancy or something like that and was given a court day come back. Even though I could not afford an attorney I was told that the court could not appoint one for me. I finally found one who said he believed me that I had no idea that the checks were not real. I did my taxes and gave him the money and also a piece of jewelery and the jerk of a lawyer also wanted to sleep with me and was upset when I turned him down. Anyway he was no good and I still got two months in prison because he did not know what he was doing, and now I am still paying back the 35,000 that I had wired. This I thought was so unfair, I am a victim and I am the one that got punished.
Fake Check
I replied to a job poster from careerbuilder regarding a part time accounts receivable specialist position, a work from home position. I submitted my resume only because I researched the company via google and the website they gave me in the email and it all checked out to be fine. I got an email from a gentleman after new years about a check for 3900.00 coming via UPS next day air and instructions stating that I was to cash the check, keep 10% as my pay, send the difference by moneygram to the person he claimed was the accountant. I did it. As a result, my account is negative. My bank says that I am responsible for it. WHY?!!!! They are the bank. They should have enough resources to eliminate things like this before they happen. All they can tell me is they have seen things like this before and there is nothing they can do. If you have seen things like this before, why isn't there something being done to try to protect the people banking with you? Instead you just leave them high and dry? I called the FBI and secret service and felt like I have gotten nowhere. What can I do? I have another check as we speak. I emailed the guy and told him I felt like it was a scam and didn't want any part of it. He tried assure me it was legal. This was all before i knew the check was fake. He keeps emailing me to check the status. What do I do? Not to mention the company it comes from via UPS is in TX and the check is from a company in GA. Someone please tell me what I can do?
Cashier's Check
I received a cashier check via USPS Express Mail envelope in the amount of $2,800.00 from Massachusetts last weekend remitted by Richard Wright. There was a note about sending an email confirming the receipt. There should have some instructions or guidelines about what to do. I am not looking to be indicted for fraud or anytime of illegal activity. I explained weeks ago when customers attempted to cash these Mystery Shopper checks and there weren't any money in the bank to cover the check.
New twist to Nigeria scams
I started receiving emails in response to an ad that I placed on Petfinders.com for a dog that I have, that needed a new home. I immediately received 6 responses. I wondered why each response made a point to tell me that they would pay by cashier's check and that they had a reliable pet mover on retainer to transport him out of state. The grammar was suspiciously similar to the Nigerian scam letters. I did send a short reply and a picture of the dog...and asked if they were still interested, to contact me. The second reply (from two of them) pretty much requested identical info. My name, address, phone, and $$ amount for the dog...same poor grammar and spelling in each letter. So this confirms for me that they are trying to set me up for a cashier's check scam!
Needless to say, I am not following thru with these people.... Beware - they are getting trickier and have figured out that pet owners are a bunch of softies!
Cashiers Check Scam
My wife received a cashiers check in the mail from Station B, New York stating that she won 39,000 of the consumers reward program lottery. The cashiers check was for 3,900. I called and they stated that the 3,900 was to cover the taxes in Canada. She stated that after the check was cashed, we were to call back to reclaim the excess of 39,000 that would be sent by Fed-Ex or UPS. I am certain that this is a scam. My question is: Who do I report this to in my state? The Attorney General? Can you help me. Thanks
Phoney Cashiers Check
Hi I received a cashier's check from somewhere in new jersey and was told it was for me to do some mystery shopping. when the check arrived I was to cash it and send the amount of 2,882.00 back to the place and keep 500.00 out of it. The thing is they never spoke of the mystery shopping I was to do. They did not give me a telephone number. Once I received the Cashier's Check and sent an email back to the company telling them that I thought they were scamming me they never answered. I don't know what to do with the Cashier's Check because it has my name on it. It came from somewhere in New Jersey and came by Federal Express, I was to send the money back by moneygram and had only email instructions on what to do with it.
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
