Common Cashier Check Scams

Internet Sales Scam

You sell goods (often over the Internet) and the buyer sends you a cashier check for the price you agreed upon.  You ship the goods to the seller only to later find out the cashier check is fraudulent.

Excess Fund Scams

You sell goods (often over the Internet) and the buyer sends you a cashier check for an amount in excess of the sales price and asks you to wire all or some of the money to a third party, allegedly to a shipping agent or to satisfy another obligation.

Advance Fee & Lottery Scams

You receive a letter informing you that you have won a lottery (often a foreign lottery) or you are the beneficiary of someone's estate.  The letter states you need to pay a processing or transfer fee before you can receive your winnings/inheritance, but a cashier check is enclosed to cover this cost on your behalf, all you have to do is deposit the check and wire the funds to the agent.

Mystery Shopper Scams

You receive a letter informing you that you have been selected as a mystery shopper.  The letter includes a cashier check that you are instructed to deposit and use the funds to purchase merchandise at designated stores, wire a portion to a third party and keep the remainder.

Fraud Victims Should ...

File a report with local law enforcement.

File a complaint with the Iowa Attorney General

(1-888-777-4590).

Work with your bank on repayment options if the reversal of the deposit has overdrawn your account.

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM CHECK FRAUD

To learn go to...WWW.MYSMARTFINANCES.COM