Fake Check Scams

If someone sends you a check then asks you to deposit the check into your account and wire transfer money out of your account, WATCH OUT, you may become the victim of a popular scam. The scam usually occurs when you are selling merchandise via the Internet or other publications. The "buyer" of your goods sends you a check for more than the amount owed and asks you to send them a refund along with the goods. If you do that, you will lose both the money and the goods. Other variations of the scam include:

• Sending you a check for winning a foreign lottery or sweepstakes which then asks you to wire a portion of the money for taxes, administration or other fees to an account.
• Asking your assistance in obtaining money from a foreign country while promising you a percentange of the money for depositing the check and then transferring the bulk of the funds to another account.
• Offerring you a "work at home" opportunity of deposting checks and wiring the money, minus your "salary" to an account.

Although there are many variations to the scam, the common thread is that someone is sending you a check then asks you to wire money to another account. When it is finally revealed that the check was a fake one, the perpatrator is long gone and you are out all the money you wired. Remember, you are responsible for the checks you deposit to your acccounts.

For more information:

National Fraud Information Center's tips
Federal Trade Commissions tips
FDIC's tips
US Postal Inspector's brochure on Fake Check Scams
FakeChecks.org (Created by the National Consumers League)