Our company has become a victim of fraud!

Check Scam...

[ExtremeExports]

We were just made aware by our bank that we have received a counterfit check from our customer ($25,000 USD!) He was wanting to purchase one of our products and sent a cashiers check from an American drawn bank. It goes to show what kind of idiots run our banks. I received the check 3 weeks ago, and was told after 9 days that the check cleared. NOW, 3 WEEKS LATER! I receive a call from the bank manager informing me that the check was counterfit! THIS REALLY ANGERS ME! Anyone have any experience with fraud?

[ScottM]

Ouch!

25k? Man, that's a lot of money. I hope you have some recourse!

[ExtremeExports]

Yes! OUCH! I don't know who to have more anger towards, the customer, who frauded us, or our incompitant bank, who should have known way before 3 weeks!

[Christi]

I worked with a place a few years back where an employee was working a check-counterfeiting scheme. The FBI got involved because it crossed state lines. Not sure who gets involved if it crosses international borders. I do know the U.S. Postal Service was part of the investigation too, because the checks had been sent via mail. Good luck.

[ExtremeExports]

The checks were sent FedEx, I am sure there is someway to trace it, also since he paid the fedex fees with his ccard. I just have to figure out who we contact from here. Man, this was not how I wanted to start my weekend! :(

[Christi]

Here's an idea: What about calling your Congressperson and asking how to proceed? There are international banking statutes...and a banking committee in Washington. I'm assuming you're in the States. If outside the U.S., your elected representative.

[ExtremeExports]

That sounds like a start. Yes, we are in the states. I have found also a website of information on this scam. It stated I should write an email to the us secret service treasury office. I guess they are working on a lot of cases like this. I have written an email. HOpefully, this nightmare will soon be over.

[Christi]

Extreme, write a real letter on your letterhead and send to the U.S. Secret Service Treasury Department via certified mail. Call first and get the name of the person the letter should be directed to. Send photocopies of any documentation you have, plus the name and phone of your bank manager. And let us know what happens!

[sun818]

Are they going to take the funds out of your account? Since the bank cleared it, does the bank take the fall? Would your only responsibility be then show all documentation regarding the transaction?

[mansterfred]

I would think your Bank has the problem. If that was a cashiers check they probably have some limited window to determine its authenticity.

Related Story:
www.netscalped.com/_disc4/000002d2.htm

[PeterD]

Uh-oh:

[wired.com...]

"The scam takes advantage of a little-known loophole in the U.S. banking system. Many people don't realize that when a bank says funds have cleared, it doesn't mean the check is good, according to Carol McKay, director of communications for the National Consumers League."