04-14-06, 08:31 PM
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Counterfeit Check Scam Targets Local Residents | |
Quote: | Counterfeit check scam targets local residents
Written by Staff
Fri, 14 Apr 2006
Quote: | Citizens are cautioned about cashiers checks received in the mail too good to be true-it probably is. |
Thats the message Edgar County Sheriff Tim Crippes and Edgar County Bank and Trust (ECBT) vice president Carla Wimsett were trying to get across to residents about counterfeit check scams that has recently hit the local area.
On Thursday, Crippes notified the Beacon-News about two residents who received counterfeit cashies checks and letters informing them of a big win.
The catch however is that the recipients were asked to cash the checks and send a processing fee in order for the rest of the winnings to be issued.
“This is a scam that has been going on for years, said Crippes. “But lately it has seen increased activity.
Crippes said citizens should heed to the fact that “there is no such thing as free money.
“These people target the low income or the elderly knowing that they are in need of money and are likely to send some money back in order to receive a bigger pay out, explained Crippes.“The truth is, there is no big money. There never was.
Two ECBT customers visited the bank after receiving the counterfeit checks in the mail.
According to Wimsett, one customer who was skeptical about the validity of the check, approached bank employees and expressed his skepticism.
“After looking at the check, and making a few phone calls to authenticate the check, we realized that we had a counterfeit check in our hands.
Wimsett said moments after the first check was identified, another customer came into the bank to cash a cashiers check.
“The second customer was convinced that she has received an authentic check and wanted the bank to cash it,â‚ said Wimsett.
Following prompt investigation from the bank, the second check was also determined as bogus.
The checks were for $3,950 and $2,900 respectively and instructed the recipients to return $2,500 in order to claim a quarter million dollars in winnings.
“This is a serious problem, explained Wimsett.I called the telephone numbers on the checks and compared it to both bankslisted numbers and found out that they were counterfeit checks.
She explained that when a customer validates a check and receives cash, they are taking responsibility for the validity of the check.
“If the check comes back as counterfeit, then the customers are liable to pay the money that they have received,â‚ she pointed out. I donâ‚„t think many customers realize that. The bank is not responsible for the counterfeit checks.
However, Wimsett said the bank tellers are trained to spot questionable checks and bring it to their superiors attention.
“In this case, our teller quickly realized that there is something wrong with the cashiers check, she added.
The two counterfeit checks presented looked and felt like a genuine cashiers check.
“It was printed on check paper and even had all the security features of a check, including a watermark, said Wimsett.
The letters that accompanied the checks were identical stating that the recipient is a winner of a large sum of money which will be released in 48 hours after they cashed the cashiers check and sent the processing fee back to the bank.
One customers letter stated the prize was through an online gambling site while the other cited a sweepstakes win.
“They are all the same, said Wimsett. “Most customers have participated in some sort of contest with prize money so when they receive these checks, they naturally assume they have won.
She also noted that counterfeit check scams are hitting an all time high.
Last year, ECBT saw up to five different counterfeit checks, To date, the bank has received three.
“It is disappointing and cruel to do this to someone, noted Wimsett. “People think they can cash the check, send part of the money back and spend the balance, while waiting for the rest of the prize money to be issued.
But the mailman does not come bearing the winning check.
“Instead they receive notification that their check was returned and now they owe the bank the money which they cashed, said Wimsett. “And in may instances, they can't pay it back.
She advises citizens to keep a close eye on their mail and if they receive cashiers check that is questionable, to contact their banks and express their concern before cashing the check.
Anyone who may have received cashiers check accompanied by a letter confirming a large prize money should either call their respective banks or the local Sheriffs Department at 465-4166.
Paris Beacon News - Where you Live, Paris Illinois USA |
Last edited by Scrub; 11-25-07 at 01:50 PM.
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