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Home >> Scams/Fraud
Cashier's Check Scam
I have received a cashier's check drawn on a bank in Ohio. It has no address on the check and the phone number on the check answers with is a strange voicemail system that disconnects you if you call to verify the check. The recorded voice sounds like a West Indies male. The bottom of the check says that it is issued by Intergrated Payment Systems of Englewood, Colorado; Citibank, NA, Buffalo, NY. Other identifying numbers are xx-xxxx/xxxx; check #308200905.
I am suspicious because the cashier's check is supposedly for fees and expenses in order to collect unclaimed winning prize money of $80,000. The letter is from Central Trust at 3460 South Millway Streetsville, Ontario.
Supposedly this firm represents independent North American grocery sponsors and my name was randomly selected. I have a deadline of May 29, 20xx to deposit the cashier's check and pay the fees in order to collect the $80,000. Is this a legit cashier's check, or an elaborate scam?
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The is a terrific example of an "unclaimed lottery winnings" scam. We can almost hear you thinking that it's "Too good to be true." Trust your instincts on this deal, because it is too good to be true! Ask yourself if you ever bought a chance in the grocery store lottery. Of course you didn't. You've never heard of it before, so why would anyone want to send you a check for the unclaimed winnings?
Another dead giveaway is the mention of fees. You should never have to pay a fee to collect something you've won, and the inability to speak to the bank that's supposed to have issued the check is another big red flag here. Finally, the Canadian mailing address is another clue.
The scam artists in these deals are depending on their ability to use your desire for a windfall to overcome your common sense. They want you to deposit the check and send them the "fee" you mentioned, probably by wire transfer. Then, when the check finally gets back to your bank as a fraud, the scam artists will have your money and you'll be left "holding the bag."
Published on BankingQuestions.com 7/28/06
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