My neice received a check for 2875.00 from Allinace Bank in Virginia. Has anyone seen one? Is this check bogus

Question

My neice went to the local check cashing store and they said it was a check from Nigeria but it looks so real like an original document. Does anyone know of fake sweepstake checks floating around?

Answer 1

If you cash the check, the bank will make you endorse the back. If you endorse the back, you are responsible for the check --no matter what. Ask your bank to send it for collection. They will send the check to the bank it is drawn on and that bank will send a cashier's check or other payment order to your bank to give to you if the check is authentic. If it's fraudulent, you will be notified.

Answer 2

There are many of them around. Nigeria seems to be a place where a lot of scams come from. I would not take just one answer for this though. Take it to a bank see what they say. There must ba reason for her getting the check. Did she pay for something like lottery and such. Was there a letter with the check asking for something. Most likely it is not real but why not see if you can figure out just what is going on and you may help others not get scammed.

Answer 3

It is very bogus! This scam has been around for years it is called "The Nigerian Check Scam" even if the check doesn't come from nigeria. In fact they have been telivision shows on this issue and the people who get fooled by on both local stations and world wide stations like MSNBC. I have posted some web sites that might help you. There are different versions of this but you can find out the inf on all version by searching using "Nigerian Check Scam" as your key words or phrase. I hope this helps out, have a good day.

Answer 4

If this check was sent from a bank, then don't cash it.

Banks are sending out checks all the time, usually blank checks, but every now and then I get a check filled out for like $500 and it read, You could use $500, right. Go ahead, and cash it. In fine print, it says, the interest rate if check gets cashed, will be like 30%.

Unless you were expecting a check from this bank, I wouldn't cash it.

Answer 5

If they say,it's from negeria and your sister put in for a sweepstake to win,i'm not sure if i would cash it...Yes there are fake sweepstake and they will send out a letter saying,you have won $500,000.00 but you must hurry,send in $19.99 for the paper work and handle fee...Theres a few out there and people fall for it and never receive anything...I would take the check where you bank at and they can find out if the check is real...Tell your sister not to enter any more sweepstakes...
Clowmy

Answer 6

this is becoming a very common scam. Remember, even if your bank initially accepts the check, this is no guarantee of authenticity and you will be held liable if the check is later shown to be phony.

See this advisory from the Better Business Bureau:

http://www.stlouis.bbb.org/news111604.html

From that page, this is how the scheme 'works"
November 16, 2004

The Consumer Fraud Task Force, a joint task force of federal and state law enforcement agencies and the Better Business Bureau (BBB), urges consumers to use caution if they receive unsolicited checks in the mail.

Such checks may include foreign lottery winnings or fees, checks in excess of auction bids for Internet items, or requests from a foreign business or individual for help in depositing a check or re-mailing a check in the United States.

Members of the Task Force said they have noted an increase in consumer complaints regarding the receipt of fraudulent checks in recent months.

In one scenario, consumers are informed that they have won a foreign lottery and are provided a legitimate looking check to help pay fees involved in collecting their larger winnings.

The consumer deposits the check in his or her bank account and then withdraws some or all of the money to cover these fees and send the money via commercial wire transfer to the lottery operator.

A few days later, the bank discovers that the check is phony and informs the consumer that the monies previously extracted and wired to Canada or overseas must be repaid.

Remember, even if your bank initially accepts the check, this is no guarantee of authenticity and you will be held liable if the check is later shown to be phony. Unfortunately for the consumer, the wired money will be safely in the hands of the fraudster.

Another variation involves a consumer attempting to sell a high dollar item online, such as a car or motorcycle. In this instance the purported purchaser sends a check in excess of the asking price.

The seller deposits the check and refunds the purchaser the excess amount. Again, the original check sent is found to be a fraud and the seller is out the money refunded to the purchaser.

Nobody is immune from these offers. In September 2004 Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon himself received a phony check for $5,000 payable to him.

Recently, a complainant to the BBB reported depositing $10,000 in money orders into her account, which the bank allowed her to cash. The bank then determined the money orders to be fraudulent and is holding the consumer liable.

Postal inspectors were contacted by three consumers who questioned the authenticity of checks totaling over $87,000 received to pay fees on foreign lottery winnings. In two instances, contact with the issuing banks determined the checks were counterfeit.

The third consumer received an $80,000 "certified" check drawn on a U.S. bank. She was instructed to cash the check and mail $60,000 in fees to the lottery operators (in Canada) before receiving her lottery winnings of $400,000.

Because of actions by the bank, the $80,000 check failed to clear and a substantial loss to the consumer was prevented.

Whether you are offered payment for something you are selling or winning a lottery or any other number of variations, remember: if you are asked to cash a check and then send money back, chances are it is a scam.

The Task Force previously has focused on work-at-home scams, home remodeling, sweepstakes offers, "phishing" (online identity theft), online auctions and collection agency tactics.

Participating in the Consumer Fraud Task Force are: Missouri Attorney General's Office; Illinois Attorney General's Office; Federal Trade Commission; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Missouri; U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Illinois; and the BBB serving Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois.

Answer 7

If you can cash it, I don't think it should be on you. You were curious about it, but you were told it was a sweepstakes? Hmm.. I don't see why you should be at fault for thinking you won something. Maybe call your local police department. If you can help them with fraud, maybe there's a reward.

Answer 8

It must be a scam. What they are hoping you do is that you deposit the check into your account. Once they can tie your account to other personal information, ie: address, signature, etc., they will attempt to withdraw everything in your account, and, probably steal your identity to take you for your credit, too.

Answer 9

Have her take it to a REAL BANK and ask them!
Read all the information that came with that check.

Answer 10

Scam