Post by kas on Jul 19, 2011 20:23:40 GMT -5
On Your Side Alert: Check Scam That Looks Real
Melissa Moon On Your Side Alert: Check Scam That Looks Real
2:49 p.m. CDT, July 19, 2011
FAST FACTS:
* We're on your side with a scam warning involving checks
* Fake checks carry legit logos
* Scammers only need to get a fraction of success to make money
(Memphis 7/19/2011) You've heard the warnings before involving those checks that come in the mail claiming you've won a lottery.
We're on your side with a new one out there you need to be on the lookout for.
Like the others, it asks you to deposit a check and send them money for taxes and fees, but this one sneaks in the names of some legitimate retailers to hook potential victims.
The $4,000 check looks real enough with a Best Buy logo on one corner and First Capital Bank at the top.
However, Best Buy customer Britney Morgan says that doesn't mean if it came in the mail she would run out and cash it.
"I would honestly think it was a scam," said Morgan.
Con artists are using the names of legitimate companies like best buy to trick victims.
The recipient of the check was told they had won $120,000 from a shoppers lottery and selected from the names of customers from several trusted stores.
"If someone told you had won the Spanish lottery you might say I never entered the Spanish lottery, but if you get something that says you entered a lottery because you are a customer of Best Buy they will say it must be legitimate," said Randy Hutchinson with the Better Business Bureau
In this case the winner is told to deposit the $4,000 check and wire nearly $3,000 in cash to cover government fees.
Once that money is wired it’s gone and the check cashed bounces.
The Better Business Bureau says while more and more people are now wise to this type of scam, the con artists are counting on someone to buy it hook line and sinker.
"National Consumer League that tracks these things and reports every year on these things and according to their last survey these fake check scams are the number one source of complaints that they get," said Hutchinson.
In fact, The National Consumer League one third of all adults encounter fake checks and says the con artists are using variations of the scam to target different age groups.
The BBB says even if only one in ten thousand falls for the scam it's enough to keep the scammers fishing for more.
We contacted Best Buy to find out how they feel about their name and logo being used in this type of scam, but so far have not received an official response from the company.
Copyright © 2011, WREG-TV
www.wreg.com/news/wreg-on-your-side-alert-check-scam-that-looks-real-20110719,0,6816824.story
Melissa Moon On Your Side Alert: Check Scam That Looks Real
2:49 p.m. CDT, July 19, 2011
FAST FACTS:
* We're on your side with a scam warning involving checks
* Fake checks carry legit logos
* Scammers only need to get a fraction of success to make money
(Memphis 7/19/2011) You've heard the warnings before involving those checks that come in the mail claiming you've won a lottery.
We're on your side with a new one out there you need to be on the lookout for.
Like the others, it asks you to deposit a check and send them money for taxes and fees, but this one sneaks in the names of some legitimate retailers to hook potential victims.
The $4,000 check looks real enough with a Best Buy logo on one corner and First Capital Bank at the top.
However, Best Buy customer Britney Morgan says that doesn't mean if it came in the mail she would run out and cash it.
"I would honestly think it was a scam," said Morgan.
Con artists are using the names of legitimate companies like best buy to trick victims.
The recipient of the check was told they had won $120,000 from a shoppers lottery and selected from the names of customers from several trusted stores.
"If someone told you had won the Spanish lottery you might say I never entered the Spanish lottery, but if you get something that says you entered a lottery because you are a customer of Best Buy they will say it must be legitimate," said Randy Hutchinson with the Better Business Bureau
In this case the winner is told to deposit the $4,000 check and wire nearly $3,000 in cash to cover government fees.
Once that money is wired it’s gone and the check cashed bounces.
The Better Business Bureau says while more and more people are now wise to this type of scam, the con artists are counting on someone to buy it hook line and sinker.
"National Consumer League that tracks these things and reports every year on these things and according to their last survey these fake check scams are the number one source of complaints that they get," said Hutchinson.
In fact, The National Consumer League one third of all adults encounter fake checks and says the con artists are using variations of the scam to target different age groups.
The BBB says even if only one in ten thousand falls for the scam it's enough to keep the scammers fishing for more.
We contacted Best Buy to find out how they feel about their name and logo being used in this type of scam, but so far have not received an official response from the company.
Copyright © 2011, WREG-TV
www.wreg.com/news/wreg-on-your-side-alert-check-scam-that-looks-real-20110719,0,6816824.story
tinyurl.com/check-scam-that-looks-real