Fake Check Scams

Manipulative Con Artists Find Easy Victims Online

Sep 24, 2008 Beverly Lee

The Internet is the new hunting ground for scam artists. These con artists prey on innocent victims with deceptive scams designed to steal their money.

The (NCL) National Consumer League finds fake check scams are one of the top scams on the Internet. Victims usually receive a check that looks like the real deal. They don't discover the check is a fake until they deposit the bogus paper in their private bank account and wire the money to the waiting con artist.

Scammers Gain Trust

According to the NCL, which is a non profit organization that operates the National Fraud Center, con artists are smart, sneaky, and very manipulative. They gain the consumer's trust and cause them to let their guard down. This is the first step. Once they have gained the targeted victim's trust they move in to steal the victim's hard earned cash.

Finding Fake Check Victims Online

According to the NCL, scammers often scan classifieds in newsletters, magazines, online bulletin boards, Internet sales sites, auction sites, job sites, looking for fresh new victims to scam. They lure these unsuspecting victims into their deceptive plans by:

• Offering to buy something the person contacted is selling.
• Offering a work from home job.
• Giving the victim an advance on a sweepstakest supposedly won.
• Or to give an advance on the millions they are to receive for lottery.
• Agreeing to let the scammer transfer fake millions of their money into the victim's bank account.

Victims willingly share personal data with the total stranger because they are looking for a big payoff. This is very dangerous to say the least. Once the scammer has the victim's bank account number and other personal data they are satisfied. The con worked.

Electronic Transfer Scams

After the victim supplies information to the scammer for an electronic transfer of funds, the scammer sends the bank a fake money order or foreign check, to be deposited in the victim's account. The victim checks their account and it appears the funds are sitting in their account as promised. Soon, the victim discovers the check is a phony and their account has been emptied by the scammer. This is one popular variation of the money transfer fraud game played on thousands of victims each and every day across the Internet.

How to Avoid Fake Check Scams

It's simple to avoid fake check scams if consumers are aware of their methods. For example, if someone insist on over-paying by check and they insist you wire the excess money back to them. Beware...this is a scam. A scam that might cost you hundreds, even thousands of dollars. If someone insist on paying you by check...insist they pay you with a cashiers check in the Exact Amount.

For More Info: Victims of online check scams should contact the NCL .

The copyright of the article Fake Check Scams in Consumer Education is owned by Beverly Lee. Permission to republish Fake Check Scams in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Fake Checks Money Rip Offs