The Buena Vista Police Department is warning residents about an ongoing scam known as the “fake check scam.” Officers say they have recently received reports from citizens who may have been targeted.
In this type of scam, a person receives a check in the mail and is instructed to deposit the check and send a portion of the money back to the sender. After depositing the check, the victim withdraws money from their account and sends it as requested.
However, the check later bounces because it is fraudulent, and the full amount of the check is removed from the victim’s bank account. By that time, the scammers have already disappeared with the money that was sent to them, leaving the victim responsible for the loss.
Police say these fraudulent checks can look very similar to legitimate checks, making them difficult to detect at first glance. In many cases, victims do not realize the check is fake until after the funds have already been sent.
Authorities encourage anyone who receives a suspicious check or request for money to contact their bank before depositing the check or sending any funds.
If you believe you may be a victim of this or another scam, you are encouraged to speak with your bank and report the incident to local law enforcement.
