Check in the Mail

Fake Check Scams: How They Work

(with video below) The Fake Check Scam occurs this way: the scammer asks for your business services – whatever they might be – and sends you a check with an amount that's much bigger than the one you asked. Then, the criminals acknowledge his mistake but give you the “green light” to deposit the whole amount in your account. In exchange, you are asked to send him the difference and keep some of the money for your trouble.

If you do this, their check bounces a few days later and you are responsible for the money missing to your bank.

Watch the video below to see the sneaky Fake Check Scam exposed:

 

 

Fake Check Scam Variations

For exact examples with different twists of the Fake Check Scam, check out the following variations:

Fake Check: Car Wrap Variation

Fake Check: Mystery Shopper Variation

Fake Check: New Roommate Variation

Fake Check: Vacation Rental by Renter Variation

Fake Check: Pet Sitter Variation

The latest scam on this topic is a check from a company called Consolidated Bottle Corporation. The crooks are pretending to offer jobs and paid gigs if the recipient of the check helps with some market research or with taking a survey on behalf of the company.

 

Fake Check Scam: How To Avoid

Never deposit a check with an amount bigger than you expected. Ask the scammer to send you a new check. He won't and you will lose the money for the services, but that's better than losing large amounts of money from your bank account.

FBI is cracking on this scam already, but the number of criminals is growing day by day.

 

Fake Check Scam: How To Report

Make your family and friends aware of the Fake Check Scam by sharing it on social media using the buttons provided. You can also officially report the scammers to the Federal Trade Commission using the link below:

Report Scammers To The FTC Here


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Selma HrynchukSelma is a fraud prevention specialist renowned for her expertise in private eye investigations and a remarkable partnership with law enforcement agencies. Beyond her investigative triumphs, her public speaking engagements and written works have empowered countless individuals to protect themselves and stay ahead of deceptive schemes. Selma's legacy shines as a tenacious agent of change, unyielding in her commitment to battling fraud and ensuring a safer world for all.

36 thoughts on “Check in the Mail”

  1. I just received one as a “pre-payment” for “job” they wanted me to do and pay another service provider. So there’s another variation. Think I’ll call the cops in their area. I probably should have strung ’em out a bit and let them think they had me on the hook, but they’re already out the money for Express Mail (smiling).

  2. I recieved a check myself and I was sitting on it cause of the threatening intense emails and text messages they been sending me . I’m pretty sure it’s fake and all of it is a scam but I don’t know how to properly check ????

  3. People, dont deposit, cash it. If it wont cash then youn know. 2nd go to advanced cash business, unlike most banks they will call the bank right then for confirmation pass for legitimacy. Instead of waiting 2-3 business days. I have too was attempted to be scammed and was told to deposit the check with watermarks into my account and to pay them a fee. I thought smart and went to Advanced Financial, I waited 23 minutes, they told me that this check is fraudulent and has no account or affiliation with the bank that it claims the funds to be cashed. I contacted the authorites and there is absolutely nothing they can do. SO PEOPLE THINK SMART. You will not win free money without paying money, okay. AND NOBODY will give you money when you didnt do anything to earn it and last of all most the time we do things in life and people want ypu to do it for free and not pay you. Trust me no one but True Lord,True God would ever be so sweet and kind and giving..LOOK AROUND YOU. p.s. God Bless and Fix America , Amen for All

  4. Received a check in mail. It was in a brown envelope with a priority mail label. The address was Fuel City, Dallas TX. That address is a fuel station. No postal service inside. Tracking # says it started in Del Valle, TX. The check is from Mide Technology, 200 Boston Avenue, Suite 1000, Medford MA 02155. If you call the number listed on their web page (781-306-0609) you get an answer service that is never at her desk. The number is for a Steve Hanly-vice president of Mide Technologies. If you look at the web site it looks impressive. Doesn’t appear to be any such company. They make their money by stealing yours.

  5. I just received a 2,980 dollar check through a so-called company called rehub distributions they supposedly hired me for a $26 dollar office clerk,needless to say I didn’t change the check they are now getting your information through job sites like zip recruiters be aware they have my full resume.when it seems to good to be true,it’s a 98% chance a scam!

  6. Jessica Lynn Johnson

    I received a check in the mail and I deposited into my account and the bank sent me a letter saying that the check is no good the person who sent it I responded to a email she said i was working for her and she told me to get her groceries etc and to take care of her children I had never had anything like this happen before now I’m scared

  7. I am a college student who was looking for a job on the site care.com.( I currently take care of a 2 year old, that I met on care.com) I made my number available to anyone who would be interested in me caring for there children. I received a text asking if I would like to take care of her child, and if I was interested, to email her. I decided to email her back and I received an email back explaining that someone already got the position to take care of her daughter then offered me a personal assistant job paying $450 weekly. She began to send me details on what I had to do for her. She had told me I had to run some errands for her and she would be sending me a check in the mail and once I receive this check deposit straight into my account.

    I had listened. Then she proceeded to tell me to send money through the Money gram to Nigeria. I was very confused but I listened. Nothing seemed quite bad to me yet. But then I tried to pull money out of my account and all of my accounts were on hold.
    She only got $200 dollars out of me but my bank took care of the rest because I had caught it on time.
    She claims her name is Hope Carter. Her number : 917-410-7958. She told me to send the money to Latonya Peters

  8. I received a check from express mail for 2800.00 told to deposit in my account and go to moneygram and send to two different people in the Phillipines and keep 300, for Mystery Shopper. I received 2 emails from 2 different people asking did I get the check and deposit it yet. It was a legitamit Credit Union but I did not cash it. Just feels not right so I am going to err on the side of caution and not do it. After reading on here it sounds too close to some of these stories so I am good.

  9. I received a check in the mail yesterday from this company that cliams to have hired me to be a Mystery Shopper. The amount of the check is for $2500.00 told me to follow the instructions that were sent with check and to go deposit check in my bank or thru ATM… I did neither. Instead I looked up the Financial Institute on line and contacted them first.. They came back and told me it was not a good check it is Fraud.. I am now in the processof contacting the Attorney General’s Office here and filing charges against the person or organization who sent me this check.

  10. I listed a room for rent on Craigslist and a supposedly deaf woman answered the ad and of course we couldn’t talk on the phone since she was deaf, right? So "she" agrees to send first week as a deposit. Her "uncle" sends me a check for ten times that amount, and she explains I can use this money to pay her shipper or something via MoneyGram, then keep my share for the deposit.

    I found this a clever one because I automatically was very lenient with the brave deaf woman. I did lose money on potential rent for the room, but at least I caught on and didn’t deposit the check.

    Hope this one helps you. "Her" name is Linda Myles by the way.

  11. I received a check from a computer corp in new york.
    The check was for 2,800, I am suppose to take 400.00 of that money and then give the rest to a dogkeeper. The check has a wells fargo bank in new york where it comes from.The owner wants me to take it to my bank not theirs and give them a picture of the deposit
    Is this for real or a fraud?

  12. first i got a check from this institution here in Columbia and it was a cashiers check i took it to my bank and they were in the process of cashing the cashiers check found out it was incompalacent. but he institution exist. they owe me moneys for depositing it into my account.

    The name / address Maxim Healthcare Services,INC
    COLUMBIA,MD 21046

  13. Jet blue rating co is a scam I went on to the website they have posted on the message sent, and click on assignment 1 it wants money sent to Spain and Georgia. Once the money is sent they will then bounce the check leaving your account -(the check amount) and you already sent off official money orders through western union and money gram. If you get a check from jet blue rating co DO NOT deposit the check.

  14. I received a check for 1,998.12 from JetBlue rating Nov.13 2014. Fortunaly I had the sense to check out the company and check scams. I found the exact letter on Walmarts mystery shopper scams. The check is very tempting but damn if I put myself in finacail trouble or possibly jail.

  15. JOHERRICA WALLACE

    I RECIEVED A CHECK FOR 2,550 AND COME TO FIND OUT ITS FAKE … BUT LET THE PHOTOGRAPHER TELL IT … THE CHECK IS REAL ….

  16. Concerned Worker

    I work for a government office. Lately we have been receiving checks written from ‘Company X’ to ‘Person Y’, who then forwards the check (no stub, no information attached) to our office address but with the title Brandroot Investments. (There is no Brandroot Investments in our County.)

    Calling ‘Company X’ (different companies each time) does not help as they ask you to scan the check to them. (Sounds fishy.) Searching "Person Y" (Different people each time) results in finding many people of the same name but with slightly different variations on spelling all located in the same town.
    The bank on listed on the check is different each time as well.
    These come FED Ex.

    Has anyone else encountered this at their business?

  17. Just received a check in the mail Consumer Service Evaluator to shop in their establishments and report their experiences. On top of being paid for shopping you are also allowed to keep purchases for free [email protected] I have not deposited the $1,992.12 check, its on JPMORGAN CHASE BANK something tells me don’t do it I’m a senior living is a senior community but I’m not CRAZY

  18. I put my wedding dress up on Craigslist and considered myself lucky when someone emailed me offering me more than what I was asking for. I told her the only way I would take a check is if I could deposit it and the funds would be in my account before I hand the dress over. She said that was fine. She said her agent would be picking the dress up and the extra money that was in the check was for her. Fortunately, I was talking to my friend about the sale and she told me about this scam. I immediately emailed the girl back and told her I would only take cash. I never heard from her again.

    I felt weird about the whole thing from the beginning. It was a weird situation. She was always very polite and professional in every email, giving me step by step directions on how to handle this. If this helps at least one person, I’m grateful I posted this. Her email is [email protected].

  19. April Jones-Cole

    I am a Thirty-One Consultant and I received an email from a lady wanting to order $347 worth of products. She mailed me the check and and it was for $1950.15! I let my sponsor know and she immediately told me not to cash it and to call authorities as it was a scam. She Googled the person’s name on the check because it wasn’t the same as the person ordering. That was close!

  20. I was just sent a fake check from [email protected] She ordered Pure Romance Products and sent a check for way more than the amount. She wanted me to get "Vanilla" cards and scratch of the pin number and e-mail them to her for her "refund".
    The check looked real. My bank, the police couldn’t believe it.
    The check came from a real law firm, Arent Fox, in Washington, DC. I sent their fraud department copies of everything I had. I hope they catch the crooks.

  21. 12-28-2012 Recieved a check from express 2-day mail for $1950.00 to do a mystery shopper job. Deposit my check 12-28-12 took out $1800.00 on 12-30-13 to shop and then wire $1700.00 to the Philippines on 1-3-14 bank got the check returned for no funds. On 1-3-14 received another check for $1900.50 to shop again. Sent email to one who has been giving instructions to refund or make good the check. Haven’t hear a word. Called FBI and local police nothing can be done to help me.

  22. Watch out for JKS Mystery Shopping…I was too dumb and needing money…they sent me two checks that I cashed at my bank and as per their instructions, bought 5 ReLoadit cards at $500 each. Now I’m waiting to see if those checks bounce, and the actual company only operates in the UK, the contact name they don’t know him (Drew McKernan). And I don’t have $2500 to spare either!!!!

  23. I just received a check for 3,450 through fed ex and I’m wondering if its real before I cash it because the people who sent it to me said that their with cigna insurance company and the job was a online job and that they will send a check so that I can go to get special tailor made supplies for their company heeeellppp please.

  24. If someone sends me a large check, a few grand or more
    I’m cashing it right away! I can really use the money during these
    Tuff times…

  25. Becareful for Franya Ruiz, she will have you order all of these products and promise to pay. Then she will hold you accountable for for returning the money and your stuck because you have placed non refundable deposits.

  26. my friend was scammed, she received a check in the mail to cover her cost on being a shopper and buy these things Making reports and such on how the customer service was. The check was for $1,500.00. It sounded to good to be true,she was excited to work. She’s been looking for employment for quite awhile. Since she didn’t have bank acct. I let her use my acct. cause I was sure the bank would hold it till it cleared. Well, it cleared and she took the money and spent it, and couldn’t get a hold of her so called new boss. My bank acct. is still in the neg. Now I fell so dumb for putting myself in this position. I was scammed just as well.

  27. I just received one check for $1,300 after a "U.S. Airlines Award Notification". Beware, it’s a scam, just as reported in this article!

  28. I just received one check for $1,300 after a "U.S. Airlines Award Notification". Beware, it’s a scam, just as reported in this article!

  29. In the "dying" scams, the scammers finally quit saying they’ve had a stroke. Now it’s "inability to move around" or something similar. That’s a big tip-off, too. They sure can write a nice long scam letter despite their "stroke" or "inability to move." ROFL

  30. Another scam:

    My Dear Beloved In The Lord,

    My Name is Mrs. Sandra Korjev,I am married to late Yuri Korjev who was an Oil Merchant and international businessman before he died in the year 2001 after a brief illness that lasted for only five days. Before the Untimely death of my husband we were both born again Christians. When my late husband was Alive he deposited the sum of ($18,000,000.00 USD) with a Bank in Europe whose name is withheld Until we open up communication. Following my ill health, my Doctor told me that i may not last for the next Couple of Months due to my cancer problem.
    the one that disturbs me most is my inability to move Around and Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a God fearing Person that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein, according to the desire of my late husband Before his death. I don’t want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly Way. I am not afraid of death Hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the Bossom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that "the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace.

    I don’t need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health hence the presence of my husband’s relatives around me always, As soon as I receive your reply, I shall give you the contact of the Bank where you shall reach them and i will also issue you a Letter Of Authorization from the High Court Of Justice that will prove you to be a beneficiary of this fund. Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another individual for this same purpose.

    Your Beloved Sister in the lord,
    Mrs. Sandra Korjev.

  31. This scam is real and if you think your bank won’t hold you responsible for the bounced funds, think again. They’re not about to eat a bad check just because you made a mistake

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