Protect Yourself and Report the Latest Frauds, Scams, Spams, Fakes, Identify Theft Hacks and Hoaxes
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We have many examples of fake / counterfeit checks sent to victims, with my different reasons for the check: to pay taxes on winnings from a lottery, as part of a "payment transfer" job, to compensate for some "fees", etc. The bottom line is always the same: the check is forged and if you cash it, it will bounce, and the victim will be liable for the full amount, any fees, penalties and possible be charged with a crime, from passing bad checks to fraud.
If you saw the film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, then you understand basically how this scam works. But don't count on the banks to help you. Even if you call the bank whose name appears on the check, they may tell you the account is real, and it may be. The scammers use stolen checks, often taken right from people's mailboxes, to obtain real bank account numbers. The scammer then prints their own checks using the account numbers, names and bank names from the stolen blank checks. The bank has no way of knowing that the check is a stolen forgery (unless the owner of the stolen checks reports them as stolen or never delivered).
I received a check for $4750.00 from Noble International Sweepstakes and Lotteries. This check to help pay for insurance on my "real winnings" of $250,000.00. They have not asked for any info regarding social security # or bank account. Anyway I think its a scam. I called the bank the check is drawn on and being Saturday did not get to speak with anyone who could tell me anything. The operator took the message with check # and amount and they will call me Monday regarding the validity of the check. If you can give me any info on Noble International Sweepstakes and Lotteries it will be appreciated. If the money is real. I would love the keep the check and use it.
Answer: The check is certainly a forgery. The bank may tell you that the account is real, but remember, they have no way of knowing it is a forged check of a real account. The account holder, of course, would know, so hopefully the bank will tell you the name of the account - if it isn't "Noble International Sweepstakes and Lotteries" then you know it is a fake.
Click here for the huge list of the names of the currently identified lottery scams companies
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