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Counterfeit CommunityAmerica Cashiers Checks
5/27/2010
CommunityAmerica has just been made aware that counterfeit checks using the CommunityAmerica Credit Union logo and other information are currently in circulation.
For years, criminals have used counterfeit official checks in order to scam victims into sending them money. Oftentimes, the checks look just like real official checks from credit unions and banks.
CommunityAmerica Credit Union has just been made aware that counterfeit checks are currently in circulation. So far, the checks (which include the CommunityAmerica logo and other credit union information) are circulating on the east coast (South Carolina, New Jersey and New York); however, it is likely the checks will spread to other areas of the country.
How does the scam work?
Victims receive a letter or e-mail notifying them that they are either a winner of a "Customer Compensation and Appreciation Bonanza" or have been hired as a secret shopper. A CASHIER'S CHECK that looks like it was issued by CommunityAmerica is enclosed. The victim is instructed to cash the check (which is for fees, taxes and insurance), and then return the funds to a "government tax agent" via MoneyGram or Western Union. After the funds are returned, the original check is then returned as a counterfeit item.
What can you do to protect yourself from this scam?
It is important to know who you are doing business with. If you have never applied for a secret shopper job, or entered any lottery or sweepstakes, then you should be suspicious. A legitimate sweepstakes or employer is not going to require that you wire or send them money back to them via Western Union. This should always be a red flag that fraud may be involved.
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