It has come to the attention of the Better Business Bureau that the
counterfeit check scheme has taken another turn.
Checks brought to our office recently are made out for much smaller
amounts. Usually the counterfeit checks are written anywhere from three
thousand to six thousand dollars. Now it appears they are attempting to
lower suspicion on the part of the recipients and bank tellers by
making the amounts under one thousand dollars.
Both citizens and financial institution employees should be aware of
this. The rest to the scheme is the same. The potential victim is told
they have won, inherited, earned, received lost funds, etc. for several
thousand dollars, sometimes millions, and they are supposed to cash the
enclosed check and buy a money gram from Wal-Mart to send most of it
back for "administrative costs." Of course the check bounces and the
victim owes the bank and/or is in trouble for participating in this
scam.
If you encounter this kind of scam contact the BBB at 419-223-7010 or
e-mail us.