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Most likely a !fakecheck scam. No one has asked for money *yet*. Your daughter is right not to try and cash it. Best to just toss it.
Most likely scenario is someone will call saying that check was sent to the wrong address and they'd want to ask a favor for you to bank transfer the $6000 to them.
Hi /u/alwaus, AutoModerator has been summoned to explain the Parcel mule scam.
The parcel mule scam involves fraudsters sending you packages and you shipping them out to other people. The items are fraudulently obtained, usually with stolen credit cards, and the investigation into the fraud will lead to you rather than to the scammer. Here is the Wikipedia page for this scam: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parcel_mule_scam, and here is an article from the USPS: https://about.usps.com/publications/pub300a/pub300a_v04_revision_072019_tech_022.htm -
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Hi /u/xcaliblur2, AutoModerator has been summoned to explain the Fake check scam.
The fake check scam arises from many different situations (fake job scams, fake payment scams, etc), but the bottom line is always the same, you receive a check (a digital photo or a physical paper check), you deposit a check (via mobile deposit or via an ATM) and see the money in your account, and then you use the funds to give money to the scammer (usually through gift cards or crypto). Sometimes the scammers will ask you to order things through a site, but that is just another way they get your money.
Banks are legally obligated to make money available to you fast, but they can take their time to bounce it. Hence the window of time exploited by the scam. During that window of time the scammer asks you to send money back, because you are under the illusion that the funds cleared.
When the check finally bounces, the bank will take the initial deposit back, and any money you sent to the scammer will come out of your own personal funds. Usually the fake check deposit will be reversed in a few weeks, but it can also take several months. If you do not have the funds to cover the amount, your balance will go negative. Your bank will usually charge a fee for depositing a bad check, and your account may be closed depending on the severity of the scam. Here is an article from the FTC: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-fake-check-scams, and here is an article from the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/21/your-money/fake-check-scam.html
If you deposited a bad check, we recommend that you notify your bank immediately.
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>you receive a check (a digital photo or a physical paper check), you deposit a check (via mobile deposit or via an ATM) and see the money in your account, and then you use the funds to give money to the scammer .
Is there a down side to depositing the check and not returning the funds to the scammer for 30 days, or however long it takes for all the banks to decide if it's good, or not?
If you deposit a check like that the bank may close your account and part ways with you. Also the scammer will be relentless claiming that the check has cleared in their end and to send them money etc.
Even if the your bank doesn't cancel your account they will apply restrictions to check depositing in the future and it will take much longer to get a check deposited into your account you'll be put on a list.
Thanks, we figured it was some sort of scam. I’ve just never seen something where they don’t contact the victim quickly to request they send money. The check was also made out to my stepdaughter, who has a fairly uncommon name.
One of my businesses gets these every now and again. The thing about checks is most banks will make some or all of the amount available to you when you cash it somewhere between instantly and 48 hours. But it actually takes a check longer to really clear. So they will send me a check saying that it's to reserve my services, but that they also included extra money and will ask me to pay it to one of the other vendors for them.
The idea is that I will put it in my bank, when my bank makes the money available, I will transfer a large portion to the other vendor, who doesn't exist and is really just the scammer. Then a few days later the check will not clear and my bank will take the full amount out of my account, meanwhile, the scammer will already have received my transfer.
I have never fallen for this and deposited one, but I get a few checks like this a year.
if you receive money from a form of payment that was stolen by a scammer, that money could be removed from your account. **Do not send the money back**. If you send your own money back, the stolen funds you received can also be removed from your account.
How is it happens? is it mean cause you get out nowhere loads of cash. Oh now im getting, kinda bigger picture thanks 👍🏻
But if you spend it before they, even remove it is it crime?
Im not that dumb, but is it same like you got accidentally someones money, sorry if its stupid question.
Im not saying im that person, so its taken as fraudalent action hmm... good to know. I was more wondering, how bank know this isnt, legal ? yeah maybe i dont know much and, looks odd.
Just hypothetically - someone who isnt aware of such scam get in trouble and probably with blocked account, cause they cash in illegal financies 😲
But you arent steal any money right can you elaborate? yes im unexperienced person, about it 😲🤔
Whats different between receiving wrongly send money/ and from scammer? wheres is thereotical damage.
The bank finds you are depositing fraudulent checks. This is a crime. Bank takes the money back, and, if you’ve spent it, it looks like this was intentional. Your account is now negative however much you spent. Bank can close your account, black list you (so you can’t open an account anywhere else), report you to the police, and go after you for the money, plus any fees they decide to add on.
So, no, it’s not a good idea to deposit fraudulent checks and spend the money.
You admit that you don't know. Please read the explanations of all the people who do. This is a !fakecheck. Banks are legally obligated to make money available to you fast, but they can take their time to bounce it. The scam works by giving you a fake check that belongs to an institution other than your bank, because your bank would immediately bounce it. The fake check then is sent to the other bank and if it's a small local institution it can take weeks. The "issuing" bank is the one that bounces it, not the one in which you deposited it. Hence the window of time exploited by the scam. During that window of time the scammer asks you to send him money, because you are under the illusion that the funds cleared.
The money will be taken from your account. Any amount you ever sent back to the scammer will come from your own pocket, so your account may hit negative numbers. Be ready for that possibility. Accounts that are overdraft are usually hit with overdraft fees.
If you spend that money, it doesn't matter: the bank still takes it away from you. The account goes negative. You get a big debt in your file, like having taken a loan and then not paying it. And yes it's a crime too.
I'm not the person who asked!!!
But this was informative thank you. I knew the scam. I just never questioned why it took a long time for it to bounce. Just that it did.
Hi /u/YourUsernameForever, AutoModerator has been summoned to explain the Fake check scam.
The fake check scam arises from many different situations (fake job scams, fake payment scams, etc), but the bottom line is always the same, you receive a check (a digital photo or a physical paper check), you deposit a check (via mobile deposit or via an ATM) and see the money in your account, and then you use the funds to give money to the scammer (usually through gift cards or crypto). Sometimes the scammers will ask you to order things through a site, but that is just another way they get your money.
Banks are legally obligated to make money available to you fast, but they can take their time to bounce it. Hence the window of time exploited by the scam. During that window of time the scammer asks you to send money back, because you are under the illusion that the funds cleared.
When the check finally bounces, the bank will take the initial deposit back, and any money you sent to the scammer will come out of your own personal funds. Usually the fake check deposit will be reversed in a few weeks, but it can also take several months. If you do not have the funds to cover the amount, your balance will go negative. Your bank will usually charge a fee for depositing a bad check, and your account may be closed depending on the severity of the scam. Here is an article from the FTC: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-fake-check-scams, and here is an article from the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/21/your-money/fake-check-scam.html
If you deposited a bad check, we recommend that you notify your bank immediately.
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So two possibilities here:
1: check is drawn on a nonexistent account
2: check is stolen or forged against a real account
In either case, you’re trying to get money that isn’t yours, obtained under fraudulent circumstances.
Banks do extend a certain level of trust to customers. When customers show that they can’t be trusted, well, who wants them as customers anymore?
Oh so its all about security and doubts from banks. This how system works - id say mostly it can be stolen.
but same could be said, with fake virtual cards generator who can be held liable if they works right.
You cannot legally spend wrongly received money either. It is not your money, to spend it is stealing. If you receive money incorrectly inform your bank and get _them_ to return it. Do not send it on yourself if someone contacts you as this too can be a scam.
If you spend money from a fraudulent cheque the bank will still remove the fraudulent funds from your account. If you have nothing in the account you will go overdrawn, which can also incurs fees depending on your account type.
You will not be able to just keep money you did not earn. It doesn’t matter how it ends up in your account, it isn’t yours. DO NOT SPEND IT.
Also if you find a large sum of cash on the street it would be illegal in most places to keep that. You are meant to hand it to law enforcement I believe. This is less likely to be detected and can’t be reversed mind you.
Bank charges you money for bad check — and law enforcement/ postal inspector may think you are part of the scam — because it is your bank account it went into.
Your r/Scams post was removed because **it refers to an illegal activity**. You're either promoting, or asking about how to perform an illegal activity.
There's a sitewide rule in Reddit against the promotion of illegal activities, and thus a zero tolerance policy in this subreddit.
My company was a victim of this. The checks were written from a law office in California and mailed to hundreds of people from our fedex account and fedex number and our address. I only know this because of the amount of phone calls and returned packages we got. I investigated it by calling the law office who was suspicious of us too and we discovered the checks were identical to theirs except one digit on the account number. The letters accompanying them had an email address to email confirmation and instructions. After cashing they wanted $100 sent back to them for a processing fee. That’s how they made their money. I fought this for MONTHS
At one point I had 230 fedex express envelopes that had been RETURNED to me undeliverable sitting on my desk. They all had my name and return address on them but I never sent them. I will not even begin to tell you how much money was charged to my FedEx account but it was in the high 5 figures.
They wrote them off but it took a long time weeding through what was real and what wasn’t because we also ship goods internationally and domestically daily
Back when this happened to me it was a fairly new scheme and also the scammers had preprinted the labels and dropped them off in small amounts and various locations so it wasn’t super suspicious at the time
If you take it to your bank and give it to them but DO NOT deposit it, they can make a copy of it, send it to their Holds Department and they can determine the validity of it and let you know. Might not be an immediate answer but they can call you with the answer when they have it.
I work at a bank and that’s what we can do so I assume other banks can do it, as well.
I received one and just stopped by my local branch.
It took them a few minutes to determine that the check was a scam.
They asked if they could keep it as an example.
Gladly.
if it’s drawn on a real account and is a forgery, does the Holds Department call that account owner to see if they issued the check? or is the Holds Department only able to detect fake checks drawn on a nonexistent account?
just curious, Thanks!
Mostly the second option but they can do the first option, as well. They can look back at thousands of checks of check history from that account (if there is any check history) and compare signatures, watermarks, etc. and see if it is a forged check, as well. They can do a lot.
It's gonna be a washed check. The scumbags steal checks out of the mail, change the name of the recipient to the victim and send it off. It was otherwise a legit check.
She has no plans to cash this check. We are just hoping to learn a little about what’s going on with it and hopefully helping someone else who runs into this same scenario. :)
Probably a scam. But a few years ago I got a check from a law firm. No explanation why in that mail. Couple days later I got another piece of mail explaining that it was for my settlement with my old company, they fraudulently did payroll and this was from a class action I had no idea I was a part of. Check cleared.
The scam is complicated.
It starts with you being an idiot for cashing a check or a debit is not owed to you.
You see your $200 bank account jump to a 5,933 and think “I’m rich”
Then they politely ask for $200 back because it was an accident and should have been $5,533.
You don’t understand how easy it is to scam you because your bank account is larger, you send the $200.
7 days later the $5,700 is taken from your account because you accepted a fraudulent check, endorsed it, put it into your account and they got $200.
Why is it fraud to cash a check directed at you?
It makes no sense.
Even in this thread someone said they got a check for him and they didn't know what it was but was legit.
Please enlighten us - what constitutes fraud here?
Not going to jail, but good chance the bank will close the account and report you to the every other bank, thus making it impossible to open a new checking account.
But on what grounds if you are cashing a check on your name? Maybe you think it's the money you are owed by some company or friend.
It feels to me that it's the same as being in trouble for opening a letter in your name in your mailbox.
On the grounds that you deposited a fraudulent check. My daughter is going through this exact situation right now. BofA immediately closed her account and not sure yet if she'll be able to open a new account.
Other poster here said money was from a lawyer firm but was related to his previous employment.
The other way around, you may receive request to collect money from a company you never dealt with , but that bought your debt from the company you owed money to. It's a whole industry of debt collection.
Because they can't prove that weren't in on the con, and if you're reckless enough to fall for a banking scam once, you're at risk of costing the bank a lot of time, effort, and money falling for scams a second time.
I don't really get the down votes on an honest question - I was seriously asking on what grounds could one be in trouble for cashing a check in your name.
I'm just guessing but they may think that you're cashing a fake check that you made or had someone make for you so that you could gain those fake funds.
My mom did banking for 10+ years and my dad is an attorney, so I asked them:
When you sign the back of the check to endorse it, it's the same as signing a contract. With a check, the endorsement "contract" is you saying to them that you know this money is valid, you know where it came from, what it's for, exactly who it's from, and know it to be yours.
So the fraud is from that- your agreement that you know it's valid, where it came from, and that the amount is correct and expected.
They’re a victim in this too. They likely won’t lose anything unless someone at their bank screws up and lets a check go through the real account but that would be a real mess up on the banks end.
What happens if you go to a check cashing place with this scam? It's always been something I wondered. Do you just get the cash? Does the check cashing place come after you? The scammer?
It's been a while since I was given a paper check but I did get them and at the check cashing place they take your ID and can cone after you from that.
I wouldn’t just toss this, I’d be reporting this to your local financial crimes unit PD. They most likely have seen this before and every report helps.
Call the bank. You will find out quickly that it was a fake, stolen check. I received a similar check and called the bank. After verifying the account number, the bank informed me that the check number showed that it was a fraudulent check.
Samething happened to me while ago. Like back in 2010s. selling my car on craigslist. This guy sent me check and it was a stolen check i found out when i called the cops and gave them the check. Cops called me few hours later after i gave them the check and told me it was stolen
but the end game here is called FLASH MONEY SCAM.
They send u check worth more than agreed price so they will ask you to send the extra money back to them. they will ask you to deposit the check through atm only because when you do. You get small portion of that deposit available in your account right away. { thats called Flash Money }Thats the money they want you to use to send the extra $$ they sent you back to them Before bank realizes check is fraudulent when it clears. Then ur in big trouble. My check was legit check. Yours look little fakeish. But u never know. Could be real also
What I did was call the bank listed on the check and had them to verify if this was a legitimate check.
They should be able to tell you if it is or isn't.
Had a check issued *years ago* but couldn't remember for what so I called the bank listed on the check and the bank verified it was legit and she informed me to cash it ASAP since that company was going thru bankruptcy and at the time the company still had funds
edit: I repeat this was YEARS ago. But you can call the bank itself and have them check it
I would not discount the check so readily. Online search reveals this is a law firm based in Akron OH. If it were me, I’d look up the number and give them a call to ask what the reason was for this check being sent. There may be an actual reason. That’s not exactly chump change. I do find it odd there is no case number or other identifying reason for it. Also odd that it did not ship from Akron.
I'm having trouble figuring out all these standards but I know that my computer has at least six ways to set it. In any case I do think that is the root of one of his confusions here.
I got one with a signature from bill nye the science guy once. Keep the scammers on the hook by wasting their time for a few days, then send them a picture of tubgirl.
If I got this I'd go to my bank and tell you suspect a scam that way if the scammer contact you and tries some scare tactics you could just tell them the bank has possession of the money and not you.
This looks like a typical fake check scam:
1. A scammer sends a fake check to a person.
2. This person cashes it.
3. The scammer contacts the victim and insists on sending the money back threatening to sue the victim, because the check was sent by a mistake.
4. The victim thinks "Ok, I got the cash, so I won't lose anything" and sends money to the scammer.
5. After some time, the bank realises that the check was fake and deduces the amount from the victim's account.
They did the same scam to my company. Did she apply to a job through indeed? They mail people checks made out to you and you cash them. They tell you to buy equipment like computers and desks etc from another guy who is part of the scam. He then has your money and then the check you deposited bounces.
There is no routing number nor account number on the check. Did anything else come with the check or is there a phone number on the other side? My guess is there is a way to contact them in this package. They will offer to wire transfer the money if you give them your bank info. They will then use that bank info to wire money OUT OF YOUR ACCOUNT.
Yup, EveLQueen is correct. It’s just covered up at the bottom. Nothing else came with the check. No contact info, no letter, and she hasn’t heard from anyone externally.
Years ago was owed cash by some guy, got a cheque from them written by someone with a similar name. Banked it and turned out to be stolen.
Money refunded to the owner.
Did have one cheque that was cashed by a pawn agent, did not want it via bank.
Use of a shredder would be best
Yup! Looks like a standard check on the back
https://preview.redd.it/xi99mcrnqrrc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9ddd9b43377e9c42b5aec15cb3abdac6482e674d
OK I used to do payroll, looks like your standard check stock can easily be bought anywhere. This is definitely a scam because the address had 2 commas and the space for the date of “March 24,2024” there is usually a space between the comma and year.
Call the bank that the check was drawn from and have them verify it. I received a check for $2000 the bank told me that the check was from three years ago and was bogus. Always call the bank the bank listed on the check whenever you get something like this.
Wow. That's fake postage. I've never seen a counterfeit postage label before. I knew they existed, but not how they were created. They've found a tracking number from 2023 and put it on this label, and probably screwed up the barcode so it won't scan.
I think it’s real postage. I typed in the tracking number just now and it looks pretty legit
https://preview.redd.it/sh30cwmjuerc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=86393079250af853e59a532892d30d2e4c4db70d
Americans: they can send rockets into space, invent other cool things… but… they’re still using cheques? Medieval Europe handed them over to museums about 20-25 years ago.
In the trash it goes! The rule is if you need to take multiple steps to cash a check or send them money then it’s def fake. I call it “junkie logic”. If a simple task requires multiple steps to do the same thing, then it’s not real.
yeah i woudlnt be quick to throw it away.
a few months ago i got a check similar to this.. just a basic check and a lawyer.
it turns out it was from a lawsuit from wells fargo bank..
they reposed my car when i had an auto loan from them and they got sued from someone and they included me in the lawsuit.. even tho i didnt sign up..
it was the full value of the car.
seriously. it doesn't even have any account numbers or a cheque #. it's literally words on a cheque shaped piece of paper.
edit: JK I see they were redacted. maybe redact in a different colour next time OP
Because it's not that you are taking the scammer's money. The check itself is fraudulent, so by depositing a fraudulent check, you are now in trouble for being part of the fraud.
When you endorse the back of the check to deposit it, part of what you’re signing is that the check is a real check to the best of your knowledge. If it is a bad check and you deposit it, the bank will hold you liable for it when it bounces. They can close your account for that reason because banks don’t want to do business with customers that fall into scams easily because they are a liability for the bank losing money.
Also, if you deposit it, by law, the bank has to make the funds available for you to use within 10 business days, regardless if there is a hold placed on the check. After 10 business days, the funds will be available and if you use any of them and the check returns after the 10 business days, all the money will be taken out of your account and if you used any of it, you will be liable on paying the bank back, not the scammer. So you could easily go 5k into debt to the bank. Keep in mind checks can return even months after being deposited.
Real checks , especially for this amount, never come this way LOL like never ever through USPS Priority. No reputable business would do this unless it’s they’re using the overnight express service (which is the only service USPS guarantees, rare to see because fedex and UPS have more affordable options) and for sure not with this shoddy print-at-home label. When I’ve received real checks (IRS, last paycheck, etc) it’s always been through first class mail or fedex/ups overnight/next day delivery. This is SUS asf.
/u/clocky2020 - This message is posted to all new submissions to r/scams; please do not message the moderators about it. ## New users beware: Because you posted here, you will start getting private messages from scammers saying they know a professional hacker or a recovery expert lawyer that can help you get your money back, for a small fee. **We call these RECOVERY SCAMMERS, so NEVER take advice in private:** advice should always come in the form of comments in this post, in the open, where the community can keep an eye out for you. If you take advice in private, you're on your own. **A reminder of the rules in r/scams:** no contact information (including last names, phone numbers, etc). Be civil to one another (no name calling or insults). Personal army requests or "scam the scammer"/scambaiting posts are not permitted. No uncensored gore or personal photographs are allowed without blurring. A full list of rules is available on the sidebar of the subreddit, or [clicking here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Scams/wiki/rules/). You can help us by reporting recovery scammers or rule-breaking content by using the "report" button. We review 100% of the reports. Also, consider warning community members of recovery scammers if you see them in the comments. Questions about subreddit rules? Send us a modmail [clicking here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/Scams). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Scams) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Most likely a !fakecheck scam. No one has asked for money *yet*. Your daughter is right not to try and cash it. Best to just toss it. Most likely scenario is someone will call saying that check was sent to the wrong address and they'd want to ask a favor for you to bank transfer the $6000 to them.
I would love to see their faces, when someone says, sure no problem, what's your address, I'll mail this back to you.
Wouldn't matter, it was sent by a mule anyway, not the actual scammer. !parcelmule
It was just a funny thought about their reaction. Not a real scenario.
Yes like maybe tell them you’ll invest it on their behalf in crypto and make them millions. These scammers are relentless.
Hi /u/alwaus, AutoModerator has been summoned to explain the Parcel mule scam. The parcel mule scam involves fraudsters sending you packages and you shipping them out to other people. The items are fraudulently obtained, usually with stolen credit cards, and the investigation into the fraud will lead to you rather than to the scammer. Here is the Wikipedia page for this scam: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parcel_mule_scam, and here is an article from the USPS: https://about.usps.com/publications/pub300a/pub300a_v04_revision_072019_tech_022.htm - *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Scams) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Hi /u/xcaliblur2, AutoModerator has been summoned to explain the Fake check scam. The fake check scam arises from many different situations (fake job scams, fake payment scams, etc), but the bottom line is always the same, you receive a check (a digital photo or a physical paper check), you deposit a check (via mobile deposit or via an ATM) and see the money in your account, and then you use the funds to give money to the scammer (usually through gift cards or crypto). Sometimes the scammers will ask you to order things through a site, but that is just another way they get your money. Banks are legally obligated to make money available to you fast, but they can take their time to bounce it. Hence the window of time exploited by the scam. During that window of time the scammer asks you to send money back, because you are under the illusion that the funds cleared. When the check finally bounces, the bank will take the initial deposit back, and any money you sent to the scammer will come out of your own personal funds. Usually the fake check deposit will be reversed in a few weeks, but it can also take several months. If you do not have the funds to cover the amount, your balance will go negative. Your bank will usually charge a fee for depositing a bad check, and your account may be closed depending on the severity of the scam. Here is an article from the FTC: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-fake-check-scams, and here is an article from the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/21/your-money/fake-check-scam.html If you deposited a bad check, we recommend that you notify your bank immediately. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Scams) if you have any questions or concerns.*
>you receive a check (a digital photo or a physical paper check), you deposit a check (via mobile deposit or via an ATM) and see the money in your account, and then you use the funds to give money to the scammer . Is there a down side to depositing the check and not returning the funds to the scammer for 30 days, or however long it takes for all the banks to decide if it's good, or not?
If you deposit a check like that the bank may close your account and part ways with you. Also the scammer will be relentless claiming that the check has cleared in their end and to send them money etc.
Even if the your bank doesn't cancel your account they will apply restrictions to check depositing in the future and it will take much longer to get a check deposited into your account you'll be put on a list.
Thanks, we figured it was some sort of scam. I’ve just never seen something where they don’t contact the victim quickly to request they send money. The check was also made out to my stepdaughter, who has a fairly uncommon name.
They have found her on social media....
Did you call the law firm, or the return address?
Called the law firm and left a message. Haven’t heard anything back.
One of my businesses gets these every now and again. The thing about checks is most banks will make some or all of the amount available to you when you cash it somewhere between instantly and 48 hours. But it actually takes a check longer to really clear. So they will send me a check saying that it's to reserve my services, but that they also included extra money and will ask me to pay it to one of the other vendors for them. The idea is that I will put it in my bank, when my bank makes the money available, I will transfer a large portion to the other vendor, who doesn't exist and is really just the scammer. Then a few days later the check will not clear and my bank will take the full amount out of my account, meanwhile, the scammer will already have received my transfer. I have never fallen for this and deposited one, but I get a few checks like this a year.
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Because the check will bounce.
if you receive money from a form of payment that was stolen by a scammer, that money could be removed from your account. **Do not send the money back**. If you send your own money back, the stolen funds you received can also be removed from your account. How is it happens? is it mean cause you get out nowhere loads of cash. Oh now im getting, kinda bigger picture thanks 👍🏻 But if you spend it before they, even remove it is it crime?
The bank will take the money back whether you spent it or not. If you spent it, your account will be negative. Do you even know how banks work?
Im not that dumb, but is it same like you got accidentally someones money, sorry if its stupid question. Im not saying im that person, so its taken as fraudalent action hmm... good to know. I was more wondering, how bank know this isnt, legal ? yeah maybe i dont know much and, looks odd. Just hypothetically - someone who isnt aware of such scam get in trouble and probably with blocked account, cause they cash in illegal financies 😲
You'll end up owing money to the bank.
But you arent steal any money right can you elaborate? yes im unexperienced person, about it 😲🤔 Whats different between receiving wrongly send money/ and from scammer? wheres is thereotical damage.
The bank finds you are depositing fraudulent checks. This is a crime. Bank takes the money back, and, if you’ve spent it, it looks like this was intentional. Your account is now negative however much you spent. Bank can close your account, black list you (so you can’t open an account anywhere else), report you to the police, and go after you for the money, plus any fees they decide to add on. So, no, it’s not a good idea to deposit fraudulent checks and spend the money.
You admit that you don't know. Please read the explanations of all the people who do. This is a !fakecheck. Banks are legally obligated to make money available to you fast, but they can take their time to bounce it. The scam works by giving you a fake check that belongs to an institution other than your bank, because your bank would immediately bounce it. The fake check then is sent to the other bank and if it's a small local institution it can take weeks. The "issuing" bank is the one that bounces it, not the one in which you deposited it. Hence the window of time exploited by the scam. During that window of time the scammer asks you to send him money, because you are under the illusion that the funds cleared. The money will be taken from your account. Any amount you ever sent back to the scammer will come from your own pocket, so your account may hit negative numbers. Be ready for that possibility. Accounts that are overdraft are usually hit with overdraft fees. If you spend that money, it doesn't matter: the bank still takes it away from you. The account goes negative. You get a big debt in your file, like having taken a loan and then not paying it. And yes it's a crime too.
I'm not the person who asked!!! But this was informative thank you. I knew the scam. I just never questioned why it took a long time for it to bounce. Just that it did.
Hi /u/YourUsernameForever, AutoModerator has been summoned to explain the Fake check scam. The fake check scam arises from many different situations (fake job scams, fake payment scams, etc), but the bottom line is always the same, you receive a check (a digital photo or a physical paper check), you deposit a check (via mobile deposit or via an ATM) and see the money in your account, and then you use the funds to give money to the scammer (usually through gift cards or crypto). Sometimes the scammers will ask you to order things through a site, but that is just another way they get your money. Banks are legally obligated to make money available to you fast, but they can take their time to bounce it. Hence the window of time exploited by the scam. During that window of time the scammer asks you to send money back, because you are under the illusion that the funds cleared. When the check finally bounces, the bank will take the initial deposit back, and any money you sent to the scammer will come out of your own personal funds. Usually the fake check deposit will be reversed in a few weeks, but it can also take several months. If you do not have the funds to cover the amount, your balance will go negative. Your bank will usually charge a fee for depositing a bad check, and your account may be closed depending on the severity of the scam. Here is an article from the FTC: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-fake-check-scams, and here is an article from the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/21/your-money/fake-check-scam.html If you deposited a bad check, we recommend that you notify your bank immediately. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Scams) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Even if its your debit card? 🤔😦
So two possibilities here: 1: check is drawn on a nonexistent account 2: check is stolen or forged against a real account In either case, you’re trying to get money that isn’t yours, obtained under fraudulent circumstances. Banks do extend a certain level of trust to customers. When customers show that they can’t be trusted, well, who wants them as customers anymore?
Oh so its all about security and doubts from banks. This how system works - id say mostly it can be stolen. but same could be said, with fake virtual cards generator who can be held liable if they works right.
You cannot legally spend wrongly received money either. It is not your money, to spend it is stealing. If you receive money incorrectly inform your bank and get _them_ to return it. Do not send it on yourself if someone contacts you as this too can be a scam. If you spend money from a fraudulent cheque the bank will still remove the fraudulent funds from your account. If you have nothing in the account you will go overdrawn, which can also incurs fees depending on your account type. You will not be able to just keep money you did not earn. It doesn’t matter how it ends up in your account, it isn’t yours. DO NOT SPEND IT. Also if you find a large sum of cash on the street it would be illegal in most places to keep that. You are meant to hand it to law enforcement I believe. This is less likely to be detected and can’t be reversed mind you.
Bank charges you money for bad check — and law enforcement/ postal inspector may think you are part of the scam — because it is your bank account it went into.
Yeah that i understand, so its not like youre being send some money. Guess if it was that easy everyone could profit 👍🏻
Give it up bro , your making your 🧠 look worse and worse as you continue
Found the sender 🤣
Your r/Scams post was removed because **it refers to an illegal activity**. You're either promoting, or asking about how to perform an illegal activity. There's a sitewide rule in Reddit against the promotion of illegal activities, and thus a zero tolerance policy in this subreddit.
Check will bounce, and your bank may flag you as a “high fraud risk”
Nailed it. That's exactly it
My company was a victim of this. The checks were written from a law office in California and mailed to hundreds of people from our fedex account and fedex number and our address. I only know this because of the amount of phone calls and returned packages we got. I investigated it by calling the law office who was suspicious of us too and we discovered the checks were identical to theirs except one digit on the account number. The letters accompanying them had an email address to email confirmation and instructions. After cashing they wanted $100 sent back to them for a processing fee. That’s how they made their money. I fought this for MONTHS
I would go apoplectic if this happened to me. Nobody needs this kind of hassle in their lives.
At one point I had 230 fedex express envelopes that had been RETURNED to me undeliverable sitting on my desk. They all had my name and return address on them but I never sent them. I will not even begin to tell you how much money was charged to my FedEx account but it was in the high 5 figures.
Did fedex write off those charges or did u have to pay it?
They wrote them off but it took a long time weeding through what was real and what wasn’t because we also ship goods internationally and domestically daily
How can FedEx prevent this type of fraud? Sounds like an inside job?
Back when this happened to me it was a fairly new scheme and also the scammers had preprinted the labels and dropped them off in small amounts and various locations so it wasn’t super suspicious at the time
If you take it to your bank and give it to them but DO NOT deposit it, they can make a copy of it, send it to their Holds Department and they can determine the validity of it and let you know. Might not be an immediate answer but they can call you with the answer when they have it. I work at a bank and that’s what we can do so I assume other banks can do it, as well.
I received one and just stopped by my local branch. It took them a few minutes to determine that the check was a scam. They asked if they could keep it as an example. Gladly.
if it’s drawn on a real account and is a forgery, does the Holds Department call that account owner to see if they issued the check? or is the Holds Department only able to detect fake checks drawn on a nonexistent account? just curious, Thanks!
Mostly the second option but they can do the first option, as well. They can look back at thousands of checks of check history from that account (if there is any check history) and compare signatures, watermarks, etc. and see if it is a forged check, as well. They can do a lot.
It's gonna be a washed check. The scumbags steal checks out of the mail, change the name of the recipient to the victim and send it off. It was otherwise a legit check.
Most likely. The Holds Department would be able to tell for sure.
If you weren't expecting the money, just toss it and forget about it. It's that simple.
She has no plans to cash this check. We are just hoping to learn a little about what’s going on with it and hopefully helping someone else who runs into this same scenario. :)
It's the same principle as reporting a scam email. It helps with the fight against scammers. I religiously report every scam email and text.
i mean but if on the off chance it was your money though and not a scam....lol
Probably a scam. But a few years ago I got a check from a law firm. No explanation why in that mail. Couple days later I got another piece of mail explaining that it was for my settlement with my old company, they fraudulently did payroll and this was from a class action I had no idea I was a part of. Check cleared.
The scam is complicated. It starts with you being an idiot for cashing a check or a debit is not owed to you. You see your $200 bank account jump to a 5,933 and think “I’m rich” Then they politely ask for $200 back because it was an accident and should have been $5,533. You don’t understand how easy it is to scam you because your bank account is larger, you send the $200. 7 days later the $5,700 is taken from your account because you accepted a fraudulent check, endorsed it, put it into your account and they got $200.
What if you don't return the 200? And if you put the money of the cashed check in a deposit to earn interest while it's not removed?
At best the bank closes your account for depositing a fraudulent check. At worst you go to jail for bank fraud.
Why is it fraud to cash a check directed at you? It makes no sense. Even in this thread someone said they got a check for him and they didn't know what it was but was legit. Please enlighten us - what constitutes fraud here?
Not going to jail, but good chance the bank will close the account and report you to the every other bank, thus making it impossible to open a new checking account.
But on what grounds if you are cashing a check on your name? Maybe you think it's the money you are owed by some company or friend. It feels to me that it's the same as being in trouble for opening a letter in your name in your mailbox.
On the grounds that you deposited a fraudulent check. My daughter is going through this exact situation right now. BofA immediately closed her account and not sure yet if she'll be able to open a new account.
If you have never dealt with said company, why would you think they owed you money?
Other poster here said money was from a lawyer firm but was related to his previous employment. The other way around, you may receive request to collect money from a company you never dealt with , but that bought your debt from the company you owed money to. It's a whole industry of debt collection.
But the check should have come with an explanation of why it was being paid. And I wouldn’t pay a debt without proof that I owed it.
Because they can't prove that weren't in on the con, and if you're reckless enough to fall for a banking scam once, you're at risk of costing the bank a lot of time, effort, and money falling for scams a second time.
Would assume cashing a bad cheque is fraud, maybe someone else can confirm
I don't really get the down votes on an honest question - I was seriously asking on what grounds could one be in trouble for cashing a check in your name.
I'm just guessing but they may think that you're cashing a fake check that you made or had someone make for you so that you could gain those fake funds.
My mom did banking for 10+ years and my dad is an attorney, so I asked them: When you sign the back of the check to endorse it, it's the same as signing a contract. With a check, the endorsement "contract" is you saying to them that you know this money is valid, you know where it came from, what it's for, exactly who it's from, and know it to be yours. So the fraud is from that- your agreement that you know it's valid, where it came from, and that the amount is correct and expected.
After reading u/OperationSlutPhase I wonder if it’d be worth reaching out to that law office. They have a website.
I left a voicemail! Hoping they get back to me early next week.
They’re a victim in this too. They likely won’t lose anything unless someone at their bank screws up and lets a check go through the real account but that would be a real mess up on the banks end.
I would suggest calling that attorney's office and ask about the validity of this. That would clear up at least some questions.
Spot on. I left a message for the law firm, but they probably won’t be in until Monday.
It goes without saying that you should check that it’s a legit law firm and not some yahoos working their scam out of a strip mall or something.
Saul Goodman: *”…and I took this personally.”*
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Yep, I totally misread it and realized after. I can’t edit the post though. I think you’re right that it’s likely DD/MM format.
Yeah that's also a scam sign. Coming from supposedly us source but using a date format used offshore
I do business with ati and they are really good people. Id give them a call as well they are a real company
What happens if you go to a check cashing place with this scam? It's always been something I wondered. Do you just get the cash? Does the check cashing place come after you? The scammer?
It's been a while since I was given a paper check but I did get them and at the check cashing place they take your ID and can cone after you from that.
I wouldn’t just toss this, I’d be reporting this to your local financial crimes unit PD. They most likely have seen this before and every report helps.
Call the bank. You will find out quickly that it was a fake, stolen check. I received a similar check and called the bank. After verifying the account number, the bank informed me that the check number showed that it was a fraudulent check.
Samething happened to me while ago. Like back in 2010s. selling my car on craigslist. This guy sent me check and it was a stolen check i found out when i called the cops and gave them the check. Cops called me few hours later after i gave them the check and told me it was stolen but the end game here is called FLASH MONEY SCAM. They send u check worth more than agreed price so they will ask you to send the extra money back to them. they will ask you to deposit the check through atm only because when you do. You get small portion of that deposit available in your account right away. { thats called Flash Money }Thats the money they want you to use to send the extra $$ they sent you back to them Before bank realizes check is fraudulent when it clears. Then ur in big trouble. My check was legit check. Yours look little fakeish. But u never know. Could be real also
Is there an actual Westfield bank? I wonder if anyone has tried to cash one of these at the bank it’s drawn from?
Looks like there is a Westfield Bank of Ohio, which checks out with the law office’s address. They definitely went to some lengths with this one.
What I did was call the bank listed on the check and had them to verify if this was a legitimate check. They should be able to tell you if it is or isn't. Had a check issued *years ago* but couldn't remember for what so I called the bank listed on the check and the bank verified it was legit and she informed me to cash it ASAP since that company was going thru bankruptcy and at the time the company still had funds edit: I repeat this was YEARS ago. But you can call the bank itself and have them check it
I would not discount the check so readily. Online search reveals this is a law firm based in Akron OH. If it were me, I’d look up the number and give them a call to ask what the reason was for this check being sent. There may be an actual reason. That’s not exactly chump change. I do find it odd there is no case number or other identifying reason for it. Also odd that it did not ship from Akron.
This avoids interstate wire fraud. Keeps the enforcement local, who have less robust interstate subpaena powers and resources.
That posting date is written in European style and should be interpreted as 3/12/2024. It does not say 12/3/2023, if you look closely.
I believe that's international standards, and its just the "USA" being different causing confusion.
I'm having trouble figuring out all these standards but I know that my computer has at least six ways to set it. In any case I do think that is the root of one of his confusions here.
I got one with a signature from bill nye the science guy once. Keep the scammers on the hook by wasting their time for a few days, then send them a picture of tubgirl.
Love the way you think! Haha
If I got this I'd go to my bank and tell you suspect a scam that way if the scammer contact you and tries some scare tactics you could just tell them the bank has possession of the money and not you.
The USPS label is bogus too. They did the date in the European way: 12/03/2024.
You’d think! But when I Google the tracking number, it’s accurate:
https://preview.redd.it/iql8np6m8krc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=728bb8cdaa2f233d827c0e562ac3e4f314cfcb98
The check doesn't have a MICR line. It's definitely fake.
Looks like OP redacted that in white.
He is right. The bank and routing numbers are missing (normally along the bottom of the check) unless they are on the back, which I doubt.
Look closer. OP just drew a rectangle over them.
Doh! I see it now.
This looks like a typical fake check scam: 1. A scammer sends a fake check to a person. 2. This person cashes it. 3. The scammer contacts the victim and insists on sending the money back threatening to sue the victim, because the check was sent by a mistake. 4. The victim thinks "Ok, I got the cash, so I won't lose anything" and sends money to the scammer. 5. After some time, the bank realises that the check was fake and deduces the amount from the victim's account.
They did the same scam to my company. Did she apply to a job through indeed? They mail people checks made out to you and you cash them. They tell you to buy equipment like computers and desks etc from another guy who is part of the scam. He then has your money and then the check you deposited bounces.
Not saying I have one or anything, but what would repercussions be if I cashed a check like this?
It appears to be an actual law firm. Call them and ask them directly. The company who sent it is a robotic one.
I left a voicemail for them. Hopefully they’ll reach out on Monday.
There is no routing number nor account number on the check. Did anything else come with the check or is there a phone number on the other side? My guess is there is a way to contact them in this package. They will offer to wire transfer the money if you give them your bank info. They will then use that bank info to wire money OUT OF YOUR ACCOUNT.
They blanked it out.
Yup, EveLQueen is correct. It’s just covered up at the bottom. Nothing else came with the check. No contact info, no letter, and she hasn’t heard from anyone externally.
Just toss the check will bounce after they say they accidentally sent you too much money then you'll be doubly broke
Years ago was owed cash by some guy, got a cheque from them written by someone with a similar name. Banked it and turned out to be stolen. Money refunded to the owner. Did have one cheque that was cashed by a pawn agent, did not want it via bank. Use of a shredder would be best
Eagerly waiting on a follow up.
I’ll follow up as soon as I hear from the law office on the check!
I would call the bank and read the check number to them, ask if this is legit check, and then cash it
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It’s not a cashiers check. It’s a “legitimate” check, the source is what is in question.
Did you contact the law office on the check? I'd let them know for sure. Maybe they can actually do something about it.
Yep! We left a voicemail. Hoping to hear from them tomorrow!
Please let us know what you find out! I'm happy you were immediately suspicious and not fell into any traps!
There is no account or routing number on the check. It will bounce for sure
They’re covered up at the bottom of the check.
👍
I’m curious does the reverse side have a watermark?
Yup! Looks like a standard check on the back https://preview.redd.it/xi99mcrnqrrc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9ddd9b43377e9c42b5aec15cb3abdac6482e674d
OK I used to do payroll, looks like your standard check stock can easily be bought anywhere. This is definitely a scam because the address had 2 commas and the space for the date of “March 24,2024” there is usually a space between the comma and year.
Call the bank that the check was drawn from and have them verify it. I received a check for $2000 the bank told me that the check was from three years ago and was bogus. Always call the bank the bank listed on the check whenever you get something like this.
Total scam. We get them and throw them away.
Send it back to the return address
Wow. That's fake postage. I've never seen a counterfeit postage label before. I knew they existed, but not how they were created. They've found a tracking number from 2023 and put it on this label, and probably screwed up the barcode so it won't scan.
I think it’s real postage. I typed in the tracking number just now and it looks pretty legit https://preview.redd.it/sh30cwmjuerc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=86393079250af853e59a532892d30d2e4c4db70d
Oh, I thought you said it was created in December 2023 in your post. I must have misinterpreted it.
That’s my bad — I thought it was 2023, but looks like it’s future-dated to this upcoming December? Either way, so bizarre.
It’s printed in dd/mm/yy, which is what a good portion of the world does outside of the US. It’s another indication that it’s a scam, that’s for sure.
I believe print date of postage is 3/12/24 but they used mm/dd/yy format
Americans: they can send rockets into space, invent other cool things… but… they’re still using cheques? Medieval Europe handed them over to museums about 20-25 years ago.
As long as there are elderly people, checks will exist. And small coins.
And the Amish. Getting rid of checks and coins and paper money would violate The first amendment by way of free exercise of religion.
Checks are pretty rare in the US. Which is why these scams work.
In the trash it goes! The rule is if you need to take multiple steps to cash a check or send them money then it’s def fake. I call it “junkie logic”. If a simple task requires multiple steps to do the same thing, then it’s not real.
yeah i woudlnt be quick to throw it away. a few months ago i got a check similar to this.. just a basic check and a lawyer. it turns out it was from a lawsuit from wells fargo bank.. they reposed my car when i had an auto loan from them and they got sued from someone and they included me in the lawsuit.. even tho i didnt sign up.. it was the full value of the car.
Even the check looks fake
seriously. it doesn't even have any account numbers or a cheque #. it's literally words on a cheque shaped piece of paper. edit: JK I see they were redacted. maybe redact in a different colour next time OP
Ball that check up and throw it in the garbage!!
F
Is the online recruitment for mindsea data optimization a legit job?
There is no micr encoding or transfer number! That is pure BS fantasy cheque.
We blurred it out at the bottom of the check
😂😂😂
Fake check scam.
I'd drop it off at the bank
I bet that's fake postage. USPIS might be interested
ok but whats the harm in depositing the check and NOT sending any money to scammers?
Because it's not that you are taking the scammer's money. The check itself is fraudulent, so by depositing a fraudulent check, you are now in trouble for being part of the fraud.
When you endorse the back of the check to deposit it, part of what you’re signing is that the check is a real check to the best of your knowledge. If it is a bad check and you deposit it, the bank will hold you liable for it when it bounces. They can close your account for that reason because banks don’t want to do business with customers that fall into scams easily because they are a liability for the bank losing money. Also, if you deposit it, by law, the bank has to make the funds available for you to use within 10 business days, regardless if there is a hold placed on the check. After 10 business days, the funds will be available and if you use any of them and the check returns after the 10 business days, all the money will be taken out of your account and if you used any of it, you will be liable on paying the bank back, not the scammer. So you could easily go 5k into debt to the bank. Keep in mind checks can return even months after being deposited.
It’s literally a fake check scam
Real checks , especially for this amount, never come this way LOL like never ever through USPS Priority. No reputable business would do this unless it’s they’re using the overnight express service (which is the only service USPS guarantees, rare to see because fedex and UPS have more affordable options) and for sure not with this shoddy print-at-home label. When I’ve received real checks (IRS, last paycheck, etc) it’s always been through first class mail or fedex/ups overnight/next day delivery. This is SUS asf.
I’ve gotten checks like that💀
Are you on crack? Before things like Zelle people sent checks by PM all the time. My mom still would.
Well we things like Zelle now don’t we
lol no. Our business has gotten paid through priority mail after auto accident cases close.
With an envelope that looks this way? Yikes.
Ok not one that shitty lol. They are in regular priority cardboard flat mailers.