FBI Fraud Alert

"Well I just wanna take a minute to talk to you all about something very serious. Once every hour, someone is involved in an internet scam. That man is Michael Scott. He's supporting about twenty Nigerian princesses." - Pam Beesly

"Hey, you know what? Forgive me for caring." - Michael Scott

So...I've been meaning to post this for a while now, but never got around to it....now I wish I had.

But, working at a credit union, you get to see a lot. Fraud especially. We've had quite a few problems with fraud lately, so my manager printed this out and posted it around the CU for our members to see. I just thought I'd share it with you.

IF YOU CAN ANSWER "YES" TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS, YOU COULD BE INVOLVED IN A FRAUD OUR ABOUT TO BE SCAMMED!

*Is the CHECK from an item you sold on the internet?

*Is the amount of the CHECK more than the item's selling price?

*Did you receive the CHECK via an overnight delivery service?

*Is the CHECK connected to communicating with someone by email?

*Is the CHECK drawn on a business or individual account that is different from the person buying your item or product?

*Have you been informed that you were the winner of a LOTTERY, such as Canadian, Australian, El Gordo, or El Mundo, that yo u did not enter?

*Have you been instructed to either "WIRE", "SEND" OR "SHIP" MONEY, as soon as possible, to a large US city or to another country, such as Canada, England, or Nigeria?

*Are you receiving PAY or a COMMISSION for facilitating money transfers through your account?

*Did you respond to an email requesting you to CONFIRM, UPDATE, OR PROVIDE your account information?

TELL BRANCH PERSONNEL IMMEDIATELY!
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In my time at the CU, I have learned that THE BIGGEST tip-off for whether it's a scam or not is if they ask you to send money back. A lot of times they even tell you to "cash the check as soon as possible." So you deposit the check, withdraw the money to send back, and the check gets returned. You're out the entire amount of the check. It's not a fun situation. But if anyone brings in larger checks and says they're not something they usually get, we always ask, "Are you sending them money back?" If the answer is yes. It's most likely a scam.

Another thing, the people who are emailing you are usually VERY persistent. A lot of times their english and grammar is really bad too. If the email doesn't make sense and has a lot of spelling errors...good chance it's fraud.

Be careful of "secret shopper" jobs. Those are pretty big ones. And be careful selling things online. Even with paypal...if they want you to send money back...don't do it!

Lately the checks that are fraud have been ones that are drawn off of real institutions. The ones in the past that I've seen have been money orders, but the two most recent ones we've seen at the CU have looked like real cashier's checks. That's what makes it so hard. If you know it's a legit bank...how could it be fraud, right? Just keep in mind...if they ask you to send money back, no matter how legit the check looks...it's most likely fraud.

If you have ANY questions or even feel a little off about the situation....ask someone at your financial institution. Let them know what's going on, bring in emails, etc. Just be careful. Now, unfortunately, once you fall for a scam, there really isn't a whole lot you can do, so the best you can do is ask questions if you feel funny about the situation.

Anyway...this is random, but I just see so much working where I do. I have actually taken a fraudulent check. (My own stupidity. I didn't ask where it came from...which I definitely should have...) but it happens, and it is so frustrating for the person it happens to. Please please PLEASE be careful, and if you have ANY doubt, either don't do it, or ask someone at your financial institution.

You may be thinking, "who would ever fall for something like that?" But let's face it, if I hadn't given you these tips...and if you were in that situation...you might fall for it. I admit that if I didn't work where I do, and hadn't seen first hand the kind of fraud that's out there...I probably would have fallen for something myself. It really is a tough situation, and i feel for anyone who has been on the other end.

Anyway....I hope this helps someone out there! ;) and sorry I didn't share it earlier.... :(

"You know what...when the son of the deposed king of Nigeria emails you directly, asking for help, you help! His father ran the freaking country! Ok?" - Michael Scott