Horse Ass Scammer

[siskaren]

Actually, that's not safe either.

I don't see how it's not safe. When I would call banks to verify cashier's checks, they would ask for the check number, date of issue, amount, etc, which they could then verify was a check that they had actually sold.

[suburbandecay]

I found out about this particular scam when we started getting undeliverable mail returned to my boss. Someone was using his name and our work address and mailing out bogus checks on this scam. We got close to a dozen bad checks returned to us and a phone call from a guy who managed to track him down via the internet. The crime was almost impossible to report. No one wanted to deal with it.

[PepperElf]

Yeah, that's a pretty common scam. Pepperelf, it's very difficult to find out if a cashier's check is good because most banks won't verify funds on checks any more, even their own cashier's checks.

Having the potential scammer wire funds isn't a good option, either, because you'd have to give them your account number, which means they have all the information they need to make bogus checks drawn on your account.

ah. that sucks indeed.


i can see why some businesses don't take checks anymore. not if they've been hit by too many scams etc.

[Sapphire Silk]

I don't see how it's not safe. When I would call banks to verify cashier's checks, they would ask for the check number, date of issue, amount, etc, which they could then verify was a check that they had actually sold.

Geek King is right. That kind of verification isn't worth the cost of the phone call. When the fraudulent check goes through the wire and bounces higher than a kite, everything changes, and suddenly its the scam victim who's stuck with the bill.

Awareness and avoiding situations that look dodgy or are otherwise "not right" like being sent a check for more than what is owed is the best way to avoid these scams.

[siskaren]

Geek King is right. That kind of verification isn't worth the cost of the phone call. When the fraudulent check goes through the wire and bounces higher than a kite, everything changes, and suddenly its the scam victim who's stuck with the bill.

I'm sorry, but I don't see how a check could turn out to be fraudulent when the issuing bank has verified that they did in fact issue a check with that particular check number, for that particular amount, on that particular date, to that particular payee.

[Aethian]

I found out about this particular scam when we started getting undeliverable mail returned to my boss. Someone was using his name and our work address and mailing out bogus checks on this scam. We got close to a dozen bad checks returned to us and a phone call from a guy who managed to track him down via the internet. The crime was almost impossible to report. No one wanted to deal with it.

Why didn't you report this to the postal inspectors?

[Ghel]

I'm sorry, but I don't see how a check could turn out to be fraudulent when the issuing bank has verified that they did in fact issue a check with that particular check number, for that particular amount, on that particular date, to that particular payee.

As mentioned upthread, most banks will not verify this information, even on their own cashier's checks.

[siskaren]

As mentioned upthread, most banks will not verify this information, even on their own cashier's checks.

My experience is that most banks will verify this information for other banks, at least for someone calling from the loss prevention department, so that they'll get the same consideration when they're looking for verification.

[Draco]

Yeah, that's a pretty common scam. Pepperelf, it's very difficult to find out if a cashier's check is good because most banks won't verify funds on checks any more, even their own cashier's checks.

Having the potential scammer wire funds isn't a good option, either, because you'd have to give them your account number, which means they have all the information they need to make bogus checks drawn on your account.

Back in July of 2011, I got a letter with a chasier's check in the mail. Something about winning a sweepstakes.

The letter was mailed from Canada (a BC address) yet the CHECK itself was from a bank in Sterling, Texas.

That in and of itself sent up red flags to me.

So, I took it to my credit union (they have a location in my store, so I know all the people there pretty well. One even used to work for the store before she got hired by the credit union). They ran the check through whatever device they have to determine if the ink was magnetic. It wasn't.

They checked the account info. They saw it was locked out for fraud issues.

They sent the check and the paperwork to their fraud division. Don't know whatever came of it, but I wish the check was real. It was for nearly a grand. lol

[Cia]

Don't cash the check just e-mail them back this message, "Thanks for the check and the gift!" Then wait to see how they reply.

[CrazedClerkthe2nd]

I'm sorry, but I don't see how a check could turn out to be fraudulent when the issuing bank has verified that they did in fact issue a check with that particular check number, for that particular amount, on that particular date, to that particular payee.

Banking regulations allow for a bank to make funds available on a check BEFORE it officially clears or bounces. Dumb I know, but that's the rule that allows this scam to work the way it does.

[siskaren]

Banking regulations allow for a bank to make funds available on a check BEFORE it officially clears or bounces. Dumb I know, but that's the rule that allows this scam to work the way it does.

I know that; I've worked in banks both as a teller and in loss prevention.

What I'm talking about is banks verifying that they have in fact issued the check. If ABC Bank tells me that they issued cashier's check #123456789 on January 31st to John Smith (and banks do keep records of the cashier's checks they sell), then how could that check possibly then come back fraudulent?

[TheSHAD0W]

If ABC Bank tells me that they issued cashier's check #123456789 on January 31st to John Smith (and banks do keep records of the cashier's checks they sell), then how could that check possibly then come back fraudulent?

That's easy; if it was returned as unused and a fraudulent copy was made of it. A bit more difficult than creating one from whole cloth, but doable.

Unfortunately, without a revamp of the entire system, I'd have problems trusting any check or money order, no matter what security features are included.

[mhkohne]

That's easy; if it was returned as unused and a fraudulent copy was made of it. A bit more difficult than creating one from whole cloth, but doable.

Unfortunately, without a revamp of the entire system, I'd have problems trusting any check or money order, no matter what security features are included.

I generally trust usps money orders, but that's because I can take them to the post office and get cash before I ship stuff.

I wish they'd tighten up check handling, but checks are kind of on the decline anyway, so doing a re-vamp of pretty much everything seems perhaps too much to ask.

[Sapphire Silk]

Update!

Spoke to my friend today.

Even though her husband had emailed the scammer to tell him no, the check was either already in the mail or got sent out anyway. They got the check today.

The fail on this check is just epic. Get this.

1. The post mark is not the same for where the scammer says he lives (Manhattan).
2. The check is drawn on the Music School of Manhattan
3. The name of the person who signed the check is not the name of the person listed on the check.
4. The check has no watermark.

This check is so bad I'm not even sure a bank would accept it to begin with. Fortunately, my friend is planning to call the Attorney General's office in the morning. I'll let you guys know if there are any further updates.