Fake checks can fool bank tellers

A Seattle Post-Intelligencer article about counterfeit checks that look so real they fool bank tellers comes as little surprise to those of us at the Attorney General’s Office. We repeatedly hear from folks who have fallen prey to phony check scams. Counterfeit checks are commonly linked with foreign lottery and sweepstakes fraud. Swindlers also browse classifieds then contact sellers claiming to be interested in buying a car, jewelry, whatever. The con sends a check to pay for the goods or service, but the amount exceeds the asking price. The scam works when a victim cashes the check then wires money. The check later bounces. We'll repeat our mantra: never wire money to a stranger.