Don't Cash That Check

What could be better than opening your mail and finding a check for thousands of dollars?

Unsolicited mail with seemingly valid checks has been showing up in increasing numbers around the US this past year. The temptation takes many forms. Mail we've seen says that you have unclaimed lottery winnings or have been chosen for a mystery shopping assignment, perhaps after posting your résumé online or auctioning a product. The enclosed check bears the name and address of a real business or financial institution that has no role in the scam, and it might be labeled as a cashier's check or money order.

You are told to deposit the check and send part of the proceeds back for a reason that sounds legitimate, such as paying taxes on your winnings. Weeks later, you are contacted by your bank or credit union that the check has been returned as counterfeit and that you have to give back the amount you withdrew.

REMEMBER: If you cash a check, and that check is returned as counterfeit, then YOU are responsible for repaying the funds!

If you get a check from someone you don't know, call the institution whose name is on the check, making sure you get the number from an independent source. Do not call the phone number listed on the check, as it could be answered by a scammer posing as an employee of the business or bank. Never deposit a check if it requires you to return money to the sender or third party.

If you're been scammed, there's generally no way to get your money back, but you can file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov) or the postal authorities (http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/).