Giving the Bounce to Counterfeit Check Scams

It’s your lucky day! You just won a foreign lottery! The letter says so. And the cashier’s check to cover the taxes and fees is included. All you have to do to get your winnings is deposit the check and wire the money to the sender to pay the taxes and fees. You’re guaranteed that when they get your payment, you’ll get your prize. There’s just one catch: this is a scam. The check is no good, even though it appears to be a legitimate cashier’s check. The lottery angle is a trick to get you to wire money to someone you don’t know. If you were to deposit the check and wire the money, your bank would soon learn that the check was a fake. And you’re out the money because the money you wired can’t be retrieved, and you’re responsible for the checks you deposit — even though you don’t know they’re fake. This is just one example of a counterfeit check scam that could leave you scratching your head. The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, wants you to know that counterfeit check scams are on the rise. Some fake checks look so real that bank tellers are reporting being fooled. The scammers use high quality printers and scanners to make the checks look real. Some of the checks contain authentic-looking watermarks. These counterfeit checks are printed with the names and addresses of legitimate financial institutions. And even though the bank and account and routing numbers listed on a counterfeit check may be real, the check still can be a fake. These fakes come in many forms, from cashier’s checks and money orders to corporate and personal checks. Could you be a victim? Not if you know how to recognize and report them.

Fake Checks: Variations on a Scheme

Counterfeit or fake checks are being used in a growing number of fraudulent schemes, including foreign lottery scams (as described above), check overpayment scams, Internet auction scams, and secret shopper scams.
Check overpayment scams target consumers selling cars or other valuable items through classified ads or online auction sites. Unsuspecting sellers get stuck when scammers pass off bogus cashier’s checks, corporate checks, or personal checks. Here’s how it happens:
A scam artist replies to a classified ad or auction posting, offers to pay for the item with a check, and then comes up with a reason for writing the check for more than the purchase price. The scammer asks the seller to wire back the difference after depositing the check. The seller does it, and later, when the scammer’s check bounces, the seller is left liable for the entire amount.
In secret shopper scams, the consumer, hired to be a secret shopper, is asked to evaluate the effectiveness of a money transfer service. The consumer is given a check, told to deposit it in their bank account, and withdraw the amount in cash. Then, the consumer is told to take the cash to the money transfer service specified, and typically, send the transfer to a person in a Canadian city. Then, the consumer is supposed to evaluate their experience — but no one collects the evaluation. The secret shopper scenario is just a scam to get the consumer’s money.
Con artists who use these schemes can easily avoid detection. When funds are sent through wire transfer services, the recipients can pick up the money at other locations within the same country; it is nearly impossible for the sender to identify or locate the recipient.

You and Your Bank — Who is Responsible for What?

Under federal law, banks must make funds available to you from U.S. Treasury checks, official bank checks (cashier’s checks, certified checks, and teller’s checks), and checks paid by government agencies at the opening of business the day after you deposit the check. For other checks, banks must similarly make the first $100 available the day after you deposit the check. Remaining funds must be made available on the second day after the deposit if payable by a local bank, and within five days if drawn on distant banks.
However, just because funds are available on a check you’ve deposited doesn’t mean the check is good. It’s best not to rely on money from any type of check (cashier, business or personal check, or money order) unless you know and trust the person you’re dealing with or, better yet — until the bank confirms that the check has cleared. Forgeries can take weeks to be discovered and untangled. The bottom line is that until the bank confirms that the funds from the check have been deposited into your account, you are responsible for any funds you withdraw against that check.

Protecting Yourself

Here’s how to avoid a counterfeit check scam:

• Throw away any offer that asks you to pay for a prize or a gift. If it’s free or a gift, you shouldn’t have to pay for it. Free is free.
• Resist the urge to enter foreign lotteries. It’s illegal to play a foreign lottery through the mail or the telephone, and most foreign lottery solicitations are phony.
• Know who you’re dealing with, and never wire money to strangers.
• If you’re selling something, don’t accept a check for more than the selling price, no matter how tempting the offer or how convincing the story. Ask the buyer to write the check for the correct amount. If the buyer refuses to send the correct amount, return the check. Don’t send the merchandise.
• As a seller, you can suggest an alternative way for the buyer to pay, like an escrow service or online payment service. There may be a charge for an escrow service. If the buyer insists on using a particular escrow or online payment service you’ve never heard of, check it out. Visit its website, and read its terms of agreement and privacy policy. Call the customer service line. If there isn’t one — or if you call and can’t get answers about the service’s reliability — don’t use the service. To learn more about escrow services and online payment systems, visit ftc.gov/onlineshopping.
• If you accept payment by check, ask for a check drawn on a local bank, or a bank with a local branch. That way, you can make a personal visit to make sure the check is valid. If that’s not possible, call the bank where the check was purchased, and ask if it is valid. Get the bank’s phone number from directory assistance or an Internet site that you know and trust, not from the check or from the person who gave you the check.
• If the buyer insists that you wire back funds, end the transaction immediately. Legitimate buyers don’t pressure you to send money by wire transfer services. In addition, you have little recourse if there’s a problem with a wire transaction.
• Resist any pressure to “act now.” If the buyer’s offer is good now, it should be good after the check clears.

If You Think You’re a Victim

If you think you’ve been targeted by a counterfeit check scam, report it to the following agencies:

• The Federal Trade Commission Visit ftc.gov or 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). • The U.S. Postal Inspection Service Visit www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect or call your local post office. The number is in the Blue Pages of your local telephone directory.
• Your state or local consumer protection agencies Visit www.naag.org for a list of state Attorneys General, or check the Blue Pages of your local telephone directory for appropriate phone numbers.

For More Information

The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. Watch a video, How to File a Complaint, at ftc.gov/video to learn more. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

Giving the Bounce to Counterfeit Check Scams

Victoria Calbert, Missouri Woman, Allegedly Cashed $100,000 In Counterfeit Checks At Walmart

Many of us wish we made a higher salary. Few of us would go as far as Victoria Calbert did to earn a six-figure paycheck.
Calbert, a 40-year-old woman from Springfield, Mo., allegedly cashed $116,295.99 in counterfeit checks at Walmart stores across the Midwest, the Springfield News-Leader reported.
After she was arrested on Sept. 27, police officers searched Calbert’s home and found close to three dozen counterfeit checks linked to 13 fake military IDs printed with Calbert’s picture. Officers also discovered printing and laminating tools among other counterfeiting equipment.
Since November of last year, Calbert reportedly traveled through Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Arkansas and Missouri and attempted to cash 732 fake checks. In total, 515 checks were actually accepted by Walmart. Court documents indicated that Calbert has already served time in prison on previous forgery charges, according to the Springfield News-Leader.
The big box store has fallen victim to fake check scams several times in the past few months. Identity thieves recently used fake checks to buy electronics at 11 different Walmart stores in the southeast, WSB Radio reports. The alleged criminals would write checks for less than $500 at one Walmart store and then return the purchased items to another store for cash. In May, Tina Groff of Leigh Acres, Fla. allegedly used counterfeit school district payroll checks to earn $1,844.32 in stolen funds, Wink News reported.
Walmart isn’t the only company dealing with the issue. A few months ago, Sabrina Yvette Cantrell, an Atlanta woman, was caught allegedly cashing over $40,000 in counterfeit checks at Kroger grocery stores, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Cantrell’s crimes were traced using her Kroger Plus Card -- a discount card that she used to save money on her illegitimate purchases.
Fake check scams are on the rise, according to the Federal Trade Commission, but it's usually innocent people -- not stores like Walmart and Kroger -- that are the victims. The scam begins when you receive a check in the mail saying you've won a prize. The enclosed letter states all you need to do to collect your winnings is send money to the sender to pay taxes and fees.

Even if the check appears legitimate, the Federal Trade Commission warns that some counterfeit checks can look so real that bank tellers can mistake them for real ones. By using expensive printers and watermarks that appear authentic, thieves get away with an estimated $5 billion in check fraud a year in the United States, according to Bankers' Bank of the West. An American Bankers Association Check Fraud study found that in 2008 there were 761,000 cases of check fraud in the country.
Calbert is charged with four counts of felony forgery and one count of possessing forgery equipment, according to the Associated Press. She is being held in the Greene County Jail in Missouri on a $50,000 bond, the Springfield News-Leader reported.

Victoria Calbert, Missouri Woman, Allegedly Cashed $100,000 In Counterfeit Checks At Walmart

Postmaster warns of a phone scam

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Benton postmaster Ruthie Cauble says that anyone who plays sweepstakes scams is a guaranteed loser.
"We have had two cases of telemarketing fraud here in Benton and at least one of them has lost their entire life savings," she said. "Postal inspectors are warning seniors against sweepstakes scams.
"Often, they are lonely and are getting hooked on playing sweepstakes games," Cauble said. "While it may be called gambling to them, postal inspectors call it telemarketing fraud."
She said telemarketers are relentless when targeting potential gullible victims. "The Mail Fraud Statute of 1872 makes it a federal crime to use the U.S. Mail to further a scheme to defraud and the 1994 Omnibus Crime Bill added private carriers to the statute," Cauble said.
She said promoters typically set up phone rooms, called boiler rooms, where they run crooked lotteries and sweepstakes schemes that guarantee you are a winner, provided you pay a fee. "That's illegal," Cauble said. "Elderly people who may be more gullible and hungry for attention are their victims of choice."
She said residents receive sweepstakes offers in the mail. "Legitimate sweepstakes promotions allow anyone to enter and cannot require a purchase or fee as a condition of playing," Cauble said. "Free prize promotions that ask for shipping or handling charges, registration fees, taxes, auditor's expenses or storage fees are against the law.
"If you receive sweepstakes offers that tell you to send money in exchange for free prizes, that is against the law," she said. "Often the elderly will get hooked on these scams because the telemarketer is so nice on the phone. The receiver of the call believes they have someone to talk too but don't be fooled. They are being nice to get your money.
"Any high-pressure sales pitch from telephone callers requiring that you decide to make a purchase or investment right away are pretty sure to be bogus," Cauble said. "Especially if they offer to send a private courier to pick up a check."
She said postal inspectors arrest more than 1,000 suspects each year for fraud conducted through the mail. "The Postal Inspection Service is just one of many federal agencies that target fraud," Cauble said.
"Although people 60 and older account for 26 percent of all telemarketing fraud, 60 percent of people in that age group are victims of prize or sweepstakes fraud.
"That figure is probably higher because often victims of prize or sweepstakes fraud don't report it to authorities because it is too embarrassing to admit that you have been a victim," she said.
For more information, call the Benton Post Office at 438-4931 or the Postal Inspectors office at 1-877-876-2455. Cauble urges residents to visit the website, www.postalinspectors.uspis.gov/radDoes/victim.htm.

Postmaster warns of a phone scam - Flora, IL - The Clay County Advocate - Press-Flora, IL

Chatham police: Beware of scam

Over the past several days, Chatham residents have reported several incidents that are being investigated as telephone scams. Residents have reported receiving telephone calls where the caller advises that the resident has “won” or “is due” a payment check from a lottery. The callers then request personal information from the resident to assist with the delivery of the winnings. What makes the calls unique is that the caller then advises that the “prize” will be delivered to the residence with the assistance of the local police department.

Chatham Police Department is not working with any soliciting agency. Currently there are no authorized or approved solicitors doing business in Chatham at this time.
Currently, there have been no reported losses, or victims to any scam at this time.
The department reminds all residents not to release any personal information to any telephone or computer request, unless the agency is known to you. Any professional agency that notifies you for any business should not have to ask you for any personal information.
Report any suspicious activity to the police department or to the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General at: http://www.mass.gov/ago.

Chatham police: Beware of scam - - Wicked Local Chatham

Top 10 ways to deal with the Internet's biggest morons

Anyone who's spent a few minutes on the internet can tell you its full of unsavory folk. Some are jerks that incite arguments and hate, while others could be our best friends that just don't know how to handle themselves on Facebook. Whatever the case, here are our top 10 tips for dealing with less considerate internet citizens.
10. Learn to spot fake product reviews
Online shopping is awesome, particularly because of the ability to read reviews on any given product before you buy. Some people are upstanding folk and leave good, well thought-out reviews — but some product manufacturers leave their own fake reviews to try and inflate their product's rating. So how can you spot the fake reviews from the real ones? It isn't as hard as you think: extremely positive language is often a good indicator, as is overuse of first-person comments. Check out this list of things to watch out for, as well as some of the new techniques manufacturers have been employing. Hopefully, armed with the right knowledge, you won't get duped.
9. Destroy cheaters in online games
If you've ever played video games online, you probably already know to just turn off your headset unless you want to hear loads of prepubescent racial slurs. But what about the gamers that take it a step further and actually cheat? The best you can do as a player is report cheaters to the moderators of your chosen server. However, you can also make sure you're playing on a server that makes use of anti-cheating measures like Valve's Anti-Cheat System or PunkBuster (some games will even require it to play on their official servers). Just remember that if you're getting owned by a specific player, it doesn't mean they're cheating. Before you go accusing people, make sure you don't just suck first.
8. Avoid getting tricked by scammers
Online scammers are always coming up with new ways to try and trick you into opening your wallet, and the only way to avoid it is to recognize the signs. Most of you already know the obvious tips: don't ever give out your password, don't buy anything from an email you didn't ask for, and don't click any links from your bank or financial institution — type in the address yourself. For the more advanced, check out this list of browser tweaks that can help you out. If you're buying or selling stuff on a site like eBay or Craigslist, you'll need to be extra vigilant since you're dealing directly with other people. Check out our guides to avoiding scams when buying or selling, as well as how to avoid getting duped on Craigslist.
7. Filter annoying email forwards
Some of your spammy email may not be scammers at all, but some of your closest friends and relatives. If you're sick of getting every joke, political rant, and cat picture that your aunt Bertha finds funny, you can set up a simple email filter to avoid them. Of course, before you go to such drastic measures, you should probably ask them to stop and explain why it's bad etiquette, but if they won't hear you out, this is a simple and effective solution.
6. Stop the spread of malware
The tech savvy users among you might be good at avoiding malware — you don't click on suspicious links from your friends, you run good antivirus software, and so on. Unfortunately, your less savvy friends probably don't realize when they've spread malware, or how to stop it, and that's where you come in. You may not be able to deal with the moron that wrote the malware, but you can stop the spread by helping your less tech-savvy friend. Help them clean up their computer, and use that opportunity to teach them how to best avoid malware. Remember that you aren't the only one getting suspicious links from them — if you can help one person avoid getting tricked, you can help their entire contact list from getting future links.
5. Block offensive Internet comments
Every site has its fair share of assclowns, but some sites are known for having downright useless comment sections (I'm looking at you, YouTube). Luckily, you can clean up those sites with a few well-placed browser extensions. Comment Snob, for example, lets you filter out certain words, comments in all caps, excessive punctuation, profanity, and other annoyances, while CommentBlocker just gets rid of a site's comments altogether. It's up to you how heavily you want to block comments, but it's a great way to avoid the stuff that gets your blood boiling.
4. Handle the crazies on Facebook on Twitter
 Whether they're anonymous subscribers or your best friends, sometimes discussions on Facebook and Twitter can get out of hand. If one of your friends or followers is really ticking you off, we've shared a few strategies for dealing with them — whether it's diffusing the situation with humor or politely telling them to shut up. If you want to take more drastic measures, you can filter out posts containing certain words, which is particularly useful during election season. Intelligent discussion is great ... but "I'm moving to Canada" posts are just annoying.
3. Learn to argue without bringing out the worst in people
Sometimes you just can't help yourself, and you get into an argument with someone on the internet. As bad an idea as this is, there are some things you can do to avoid coming off as a troll (and thus avoid bringing out the troll in everyone else). You can also try and sound like you know what you're talking about even when you don't, but on the internet, that's a recipe for disaster, and you'll lose an already impossible-to-win argument. When you realize you've made a mistake, be sure to read up on how to get out of an argument with an irrational person. You'll need it.
2. Keep hackers at bay with good security
Sometimes it seems like everyone's out to get you online, and even if you aren't falling for phishing schemes and other scams, someone can always hack into your accounts. Strong passwords aren't enough to keep them out, either — you'll need to make sure you've protected yourself on all sides in addition to having a strong, unique password for every site. Read up on our best security practices for more information. Even if you find security inconvenient, there's a lot you can do to keep yourself protected.
1. Just stop caring about trolls and get on with your life
The absolute best way to avoid the leagues of morons on the internet — particularly the troll variety — is to just ignore them. They aren't attacking you, they're attacking boredom, and they're hardly worth the energy of even engaging, particularly because that's exactly what they want. If you get locked in, you can weasel your way out with dignity, but the more you realize they aren't worth the effort, the happier you'll be.

Top 10 ways to deal with the Internet's biggest morons - Digital Life

Scam Alert: Beware of CitiBank Phishing Scams | AllClear ID

A brand new scam that we’ve found with our customers involves phishing phone calls has now been popping up.  The victim will receive several phone calls pretending to be from Citibank.  They will leave a voice mail asking for a call back to discuss “your Citibank account”.  These phone calls will be sent out by the thousands, and at least a few of them will reach actual Citibank customers.  When the victim calls back the number provided, they hear a recording that sounds identical to the recording you would hear when you call the real Citibank.  It will say “Thank you for calling Citi cards, servicing Citi and AT&T Universal card accounts.  For assistance in English press one.” “This call may be monitored and recorded for quality assurance. “  It will then ask you “to expedite the handling of your call by typing in your 16 digit account number”.  Once you have typed it in, the phone disconnects.  Now the scammers have taken your credit card information and soon after will be maxing out your account.
To protect against either of these types of scams, just always remember that legitimate companies do not do business this way.  If you ever receive an email or phone call saying that there is a problem with one of your accounts, do not follow the steps that you are instructed to follow.  Instead, call the phone number listed on the back of your credit or debit card.  The customer service representative on the other end will be able to tell you if there is actually a problem with your account.


Scam Alert: Beware of CitiBank Phishing Scams | AllClear ID

Have You Been Scammed?‏ Allen West for Congress scam sites

Please find a special message from our paid sponsor, Allen West for Congress. Sponsorships like this help to allow us to continue to send you my commentary free of charge but do not necessarily reflect my views. In addition to our sponsor's message, I have provided you with my commentary from the Huckabee Report yesterday and information about my show on Fox and my radio show which airs weekdays on over 200 stations nationwide and is broadcast 24/7 on my website. As always, I appreciate your support. - Mike Huckabee Fellow Conservative, If you want to help Allen West get re-elected, I have good news and I have bad news for you. The good news is that Congressman West’s opponent, Patrick Murphy, is getting desperate. Murphy’s support for the failed stimulus,  Obamacare, and his past trouble with the law have him on the ropes. Congressman West is leading in the polls but we need your help to keep it that way.    The bad news is that in an effort to line their own pockets and get rich quick, many groups have sprung up across the country pretending to raise money for Congressman West’s re-election. These groups are running misleading advertising, aimed at tricking grassroots activists into thinking they are giving directly to the campaign when in fact the donations they are making go straight into these groups' pockets.  None of it is spent to help Congressman West. Rest assured, our attorneys are looking into the matter but these groups have undoubtedly taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from unsuspecting donors.  Here’s an example of an incredibly misleading search ad from a group that even purchased a misleading domain name. You have to look closely to see.  If you have been tricked by these groups, the law says you may write them a letter and request your money back. Some of these groups include: CAPE PAC,  Conservative Strikeforce, Republican Majority Campaign, and Patriot Super PAC. We will win this race, but we need your help to do so. Will you donate to the campaign here? Thanks for your support, Chris LaCivita Senior Strategist Allen West for Congress P.S. Please let your friends, family, and other activists know that unless it is on our official website http://www.allenwestforcongress.com , the money is not going to the West campaign. Please donate what you can here.