Scam operators devise new form of check fraud

Marketers of fraudulent check scams have figured out a new way to cheat people out of money, according to a report from the Athens Police Department.

Banks now require checks to clear before the money is distributed, according to the report. To get around this obstacle, scammers are offering higher percentages of money if the recipient transfers or wires the money on the same day the check or money order is received.

If it seems too good to be true

it probably is. You don't get anything for free Lt. John Withers said.

Formerly, the operators of the scams would solicit the recipients to cash the check or money order and wire the money via Western Union, while promising them a certain percentage of the money returned to them.

While banks will not allow money to change hands until the check has cleared, the scammers rely on their target to send their own money, according to the report. The victim would use their own money in order to gain the higher percentage, and would be secure in the replacement of their money when the check clears.

Faulty checks are returned to the intended target and identified as being either counterfeit or a forgery.

According to the report, a letter is enclosed explaining what the recipient should do with the check and how the money should be wired. The letters usually include a name and a partial address, usually in another country.

After the money is wired the recipient of the check will receive a Money Transfer Control Number. This number is then e-mailed to the person identified in the letter.

Once they get the account number the money can be picked up any place that any wiring services have a location

Withers said.

In past cases, the letters accompanying the fake checks are written in very poor English, according to the report.

The APD recommends that any checks, where validity is questionable, be brought to the police station.