DON’T BE A VICTIM OF CHECK-CASHING SCAM

A scammer tried to fool a Joshua Tree resident recently with a check-cashing scam. The resident had placed an ad in a reputable magazine to sell a dog. The scammer sent a check for the dog plus additional funds to ship the dog, and then asked the seller to place the extra money in a different account. Later the buyer said he needed some of the money back that he had sent and asked the seller to send him a cashier’s check. By that time, the seller discovered the original check was fake and contacted law enforcement. Managing editor Tami Roleff offers the following tips from the U.S. Postal Service on how to avoid being a victim of a check-cashing scam…
A check-cashing scam starts when the victim receives a realistic check or money order as overpayment for merchandise, with the request the victim deposit the check, and send the remaining funds back via a cashier’s check or money order. By the time the victim discovers the check is phony, it’s too late, and they are out the cash. 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 for more than the purchase price and ask you to send the overage back. Be aware that just because you can get the cash quickly—usually in one to five 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 or trust. The best way to avoid being a victim is to be cautious. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.