One of the ways scammers separate you from your heard-earned money are though a number of check-cashing scams. Managing editor Tami Roleff tells you what to watch out for…
To avoid being a victim of a check-cashing scheme, know the scenario of a potential scam. Think about it—there is no legitimate reason why anyone would give you a check or money order and ask you to send cash somewhere else in return. Be aware that just because you can get the cash quickly—usually in 1 to 5 days—doesn’t mean the check or money order is good. Crooks take advantage of the fact that counterfeits can take weeks—even months—to discover. By then you’ve sent the money and have to pay it back to your bank. Typically, phony checks and money orders are so realistic-looking that even bank tellers can be fooled. Only cash a check or money order from a person or business you know and trust. The best way to avoid being a victim is to be cautious. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
BE AWARE OF CHECK CASHING SCAMS
