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LAKE COUNTY – A recent upsurge in check scams against local individuals and businesses has law enforcement offering some important tips to help people avoid being ripped off.
Sgt. Brett Rhodes of the Clearlake Police Department reported Thursday that, besides the local check scam cases, there is an increase of such scams nationwide.
The National Check Fraud Center reports that check fraud and counterfeiting are fast-growing crimes. The group reported that such scams are producing annual losses of $10 billion nationwide. They also cited an Ernst and Young study that found that more than 500 billion checks are forged annually.
Rhodes said many of the check scams law enforcement sees are run through the U.S. Mail system by suspects with sophisticated techniques who are often out of the area – and sometimes out of the country as well.
The scams often use fake checks that are pre-printed in the victim's name and request the victim send a portion of money in return. He said scams also are attempted locally, with the suspects creating fictitious personal or payroll checks which they try to cash.
In both cases, Rhodes said the checks and mailing material appear authentic but are later determined to be fake.
That's why it's important for people to take several precautionary steps to ensure the checks they're accepting are valid and avoid becoming victims, Rhodes said.
First, if you are not expecting money from anyone, you should be on the alert, Rhodes said, especially if the sender is requesting any form of money in return.
Rhodes said it's important to think before you act. You can often take such checks to a bank, where it can be determined whether or not the checks are real or fake.
When receiving such a check, the recipient should try to verify the information from the sender, Rhodes said. It's often the case that the information is fake and can't be verified.
Law enforcement also can assist victims by looking at suspicious documents that require analysis, said Rhodes.
Check scams are an “ongoing criminal enterprise” that will make several attempts to lure innocent victims into sending money, Rhodes said.
He added that learning about what to look for will allow you to recognize a check scam before you become a victim.
For more information on how to protect yourself from check scams, visit the National Check Fraud Center t www.ckfraud.org or the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Web site at www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/fraudschemes.htm.
If you suspect you're a check fraud victim, contact your local law enforcement agency.
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From: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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To: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: 8/30/2008 2:04:21 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time
Subj: URGENT RESPONSE!!!
Dear Friend,
I am Maureen Haughey, widow of former Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, Charles J. Haughey and
daughter of former Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland and heir to de Valera, Sean F. Lemass.
The Press has written a lot about unresolved mysteries and corruption surrounding Charles’s dealings, but I
tell you something, my Charlie was a good man. He was human and he did whatever he did. People marvel
why I stuck with Charlie and didn’t speak during the mess that came with the exposure of his affairs with
Terry Keane (I just hate to think of her). I had to stand by him through the tribunal times…. lt was to do with
what I’m doing now. No one knew the details of all Charlie’s financial dealings but me. I remain the only one
who knows all who got loans from Charlie and didn’t come back to pay when he was disgraced. I am the
only one who knows about these monies and the other Ansbacher accounts.
I write to you, an old weary woman, sick and almost tired of living. My end is near but I will not depart until
my final mission is accomplished and I also write this with an unshaken belief in the power of aspirations and
dreams of a human being. The Irish government thinks it can shave and reduce me to a poor widow but I
have the winning ace. A few years ago, when we weren’t sure if my Charlie would be convicted, he kept
some money in trust for me in a Security and Finance company. He did not open the account in our names
so it will not be traced to us to enable the past remain the past. The name on the account is Cedric de Vregille.
I never thought Charlie would leave me so soon and it never occurred to me to ask if this name were
fictitious or not or a name of any of his friends. I have tried to find this man but to no avail. The amount he
deposited in this name is €30,000,000 (Thirty Million Euros). I want an honest person to come forward and
lay claims to this amount, moreover to use the funds as instructed by me. I have all the documents needed,
I just need a face for the name.
I have mapped out 10% of the funds for you, as you will help us (you and I) execute this job. As soon as I
receive your acceptance for this work I shall give you necessary details of my solicitor who will facilitate the
release of the funds in your name.Please reply me via my personal email
For my security and the sake of letting sleeping dogs lie, I strongly advice that you keep our dealings
confidential. You can read more about my Charlie from:
http://www.ireland.com/focus/haughey/ITstories/story11.htm
http://www.teachersparadise.com/ency/en/wikipedia/c/ch/charles_haughey.html
Thank You.
Mrs. Maureen Haughey