I guess this is “Scam Thursday” because I found this one too. I’ve warned about these in the past, but it’s always good to remind again.
From NBC-2.com
Law enforcement officials have a warning about a “work at home” check cashing scheme. Victims are not only losing their hard-earned cash, they’re also put at risk for identity theft. NBC2’s Marisa Brahney spoke with a local man who was able to sniff out the scheme.
The scheme actually hits two different people - often on opposite sides of the country. A company says they want to hire you to help their international clientele cash checks. But it all comes back to bite your bank account and can even get you in trouble with the law.
Alan Lilley, a victim of the scheme, says he was just looking for work.
“It came through either Monster or one of those job sites,” said Lilly.
Lilley found a company called INC Property. They said they wanted him on board and that he could work from home. They said they needed his help to quickly cash and deposit checks for their international clients.
Officials with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office say victims would get a check in the mail that is made out to them. But it’s not from the company; it’s from a person - a person who did not know they had just become a victim of identity theft.
The company asks you to cash the check at your bank or deposit it into your personal account then wire the money overseas or write new checks out to other companies.
By that time, the check they sent you will have come back as counterfeit.
“So the victim’s gong to be out all the money that they sent out in checks,” said Detective Matt Willard of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.
The FBI and Secret Service assist local deputies when the dollar amounts get into the $100,000 range - but deputies urge you to contact them if you think you’ve been a victim…even if you’re only out $100.
Investigators say you should always verify who wrote the check before cashing it and if you find yourself in a similar situation, tell the company you’ve reported it to police and ask the people to stop contacting you.
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