Counterfeit Check Scams
What are counterfeit check scams?
A counterfeit check scam is when someone mails you a check and asks you to send them part of the money in return after cashing or depositing the check.
It is important to remember that you are 100% responsible when cashing or depositing a check or money order. If the check is returned as fake or counterfeit, the amount of the check will be withdrawn from your account. If it puts the account in the negative, you will be held liable to pay the money back.
Overpayment scams, a common type of check scam, are when you are sent more money from a buyer than the cost of the item you are selling and they ask you to send the overpayment to a shipper or third party. Common types of overpayment scams are:
- lottery winner
- work at home
- secret shopper
- vehicle sales
- online jobs
- nanny jobs
- scholarship or grants
- online classifieds
- re-shipper scam
- relationship scam
How can you protect yourself?
- Be cautious, even if you feel like you know the person through e-mail or phone call
- Insist on a cashier’s check from a local financial institution and take it there to cash it
- Request a hold be placed on the check until it has cleared
- Contact Veridian for help.