Sign in  

Fake Check Scam

Sharing is caring! Having problems with Fake Check Scam? Use ScamPulse to make a complaint

Fake Check Scam Reports & Reviews (42)

- Auxvasse, MO, USA • Jul 25, 2023
Report

I received a check in the mail on yesterday in a UPS priority envelope. They asked me to deposit the check of $2,980 to receive $700 a week and advertise Starbucks by a sticker being placed on my car. I was instructed to text a picture of my deposit slip once I was done. I did not take it to the bank, but found the situation to be really suspicious. If I were to text a picture of my deposit slip the person would have access to my personal information. 

Useful
Reply
• Jul 06, 2023
Report

Hello. I have been a Small business owner for about 2 years and work hard every day like most people going through these difficult times,

About 3 weeks ago, on 06/20, my birthday, I was reached out by a person indicating that they wanted to hire me for a paint job. Gave me measurements and asked for a quote. I work mostly as a subcontractor for a Restoration company in Bradenton FL, and interact daily with their customers who in some cases refer me to their friends/family. So I accepted to send them a quote with the price and a few days later they contacted me back asking for an address. This person, under the name of Jonathan Sutton, asked me if I accepted cashier checks or Quickbooks invoices as a form of payment. I had just moved to a new apartment and got a cashiers check at the local bank branch, so I thought that cashiers checks were guaranteed funds, so I accepted it. He/They overnighted it to me with Fedex ( I have envelope with address and other info ) so I went to bank and deposited. Next day, funds were available so He reached out and asked me to use Zelle to transfer some of the money to the person in charge of getting "supplies and paint" . 1st transfer was for $2000.00, 2nd. for $1500.00 and 3rd for $740.76.

All of this sounded legit, they wanted to make sure everything was ready before their move in.

He asked me for screeshots for every transfer. Since that money was not "mine" , I just wanted to get rid of it so I could show them I wouldnt steal from them. I am very honest person who loves to work with customers , always trying to go above and beyond, but these low lives target people like me. He then asked me to send $1000 more dollars because he 'miscalculated' the amount of money but I stopped him there and told him that I had already " moved " my payment to my savings account, trying to make sure my "part of the money was intact" so I could pay for rent and other debts I have.

Unfortunately, the fraud department at my bank just replied to me saying that they wont be able to help so I will have to pay $4240.76 back to them. Cashier check amount was for $5976.25

Realisticly speaking, I dont even have a dollar saved. My business account is negative for that amount. I am going through a lot of stress because I havent paid rent this month and now a bunch of late fees.

I am not sure what I will do, but more than likely close my business and let them send that amount to collections which will screw me even more. I am a resident working on my credit, like most people to buy a house. I have a daughter almost 4. So more than likely we will have to keep on paying rent and our dream of being homeowner will be postponed until who knows. These people should pay for this, in prison.

I beg for help but I am not sure how far an investigation can get. For now I have to deal with all of this stress that I did not have, just for trying to make some honest extra money.

I am going to provide all the evidence that I have and most importantly spread the word among business owners so that they do not go through this bad experience.

Names, phone numbers and emails used in the scam:

1. Jonathan Sutton ( scammer ) - Phone numbers : +1 (667)326-9066 & +1 (410)260-0258 and email: [email protected]

2. Jenifer Elizabeth Laverrette ( Person who recieved the money via Zelle ) - email: [email protected]

I just want to share this with you and hopefully I will be able to recover working harder but mainly I hope you guys can share this and investigate. I believe in the law and the first step is to report this type of stuff to law enforcement.

I am sorry I didnt do this any earlier but I have been so busy with the jobs I had this week and going to the bank to open a new account, besides dealing with the depression and stress this situation gave me. I have cried in silence in my bathroom so my wife and daughter dont notice it but I am devastated with anger and impotency. I fell for it innocently or stupidly , I shouldve had more malice and asked more questions but I just didnt think outside the box.

There has to be something that can lead to find these people or at least to stop them .

Thank you for your time.

Useful
+5
Reply
• Oct 30, 2023
Report

Thank you so much for posting this. I was contacted by Jonathan Sutton this morning about a painting job. He said he could only send cashiers check. That seemed strange to me. So I googled his email address and your scam alert popped up. I’m sorry you were scammed by this crook. Thank you for informing the public 😇

Useful
Reply
- Bechtelsville, PA, USA • Jun 26, 2023
Report

Did not call.. Solicitation was postmarked in Canada. Address on check via Wells Fargo Bank was San Francisco, CA. Letterhead stated Atlanta, GA

Useful
Reply
- New York, NY, USA • Jun 15, 2023
Report

About a week ago, a man came up to me. I just got out of the subway, so he pretty much just cornered me and I was caught off guard. He told me he just arrived and he was in need of some help. His bank account was in the negatives and he said he needed someone to help him deposit a money order for him and give him the funds because if he were to deposit it himself, he the deposited money would just go towards paying off the negative balance. I was really weary of him and tried to tell him to go to the bank but he get pressuring me and I felt too scared to say no. He seemed really desperate and genuine, and I’m the type of person who feels bad and wants to help someone (big mistake on my part and I learned my lesson). He basically lead me to a bank and deposited a money order that he had into my account at the ATM. He told me that he did this all the time back home and there was no problem. I did get a message saying that my check was deposited and that the funds were made available, so I thought it was okay. I tried withdrawing the money from the ATM but it kept declining the withdrawal, even after checking off on my end that it wasn’t a “fraud”. So we walked to another bank, and he wouldn’t come in with me because he said that he didn’t want to look at my pin or see my bank info. So I withdrew the funds from a teller. He gave me his phone number so that we can call each other, and the number was legit. After I withdrew the funds, I gave it to him and said goodbye. After about 2-3 days, the check was found altered/fictitious and the bank took the same amount from my account.

He basically told me he just landed and needed some funds. He even had a JFK tag on the duffle he was carrying. He was a college student that was starting the summer semester at a university. He also said he was on scholarship but he didn’t have any livable funds or anything like that. He seemed really friendly and he seemed “scared”. He even told me that he was hesitant to trust people because of where we were and because he was black. He even asked me if he can buy me a drink or to take at least $20 from the amount for my troubles. I didn’t take anything because I thought that he needed all the money. He was also rushing me a lot saying he was on a time crunch and that he needed the money really badly and fast.

He claimed his name was Thomas, and the money order was made to Thomas Lopez. He was a mid 20-30 black male. He wore a red outfit and he had a bandana on. He also had a yellow duffle bag with him.

Useful
Reply
- Altavista, VA, USA
Report

I would make 4100 a month advertising the the business as a marketing director. After receiving a check to cash and deposit to send to the company

Useful
Reply
- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA
Report

I had posted a dining table and 2 chairs for sale on OfferUp (a marketplace for used items). A person name Greg reached out and asked to buy it on behalf of his father. He gave me his email and asked him to email the pictures. The dad emailed me back and asked for my address (for pick-up) and phone number. He then started texting me and laid out a story that movers were going to pick the item from me on the way from moving his items from storage to a new home. He was going to send me an image of a check for $1200 and wanted to me to give $1100 to the movers and offering to trust me. I refused. The check may have initially cleared if deposited through my banking mobile app but then would have likely bounced.

Useful
Reply
Report

One part of our business is tree removal in southern Maine. We were approached by phone (text & voice) and email by a person using the name Kenneth Cole (718-952-3997 & [email protected]). He forwarded a picture of a tree at ** ***** **** Bridgton ME 04009 and asked for a proposal to remove the tree on Thursday 2/2. We emailed a proposal to him which he returned signed to us and said that a check would be sent to us. We received the check on Tuesday 2/7 and deposited it on Wednesday 2/8 at his insistence. He then texted & called saying he needed to have $ 3500 back from the check. We told him that we would not be able to refund any money to him until it was 14 days after the deposit. He threaten to have the check "pulled" and not honor the signed proposal. We still said no. On Friday 2/10, the company, Iannelli Construction Co Inc, 9723 Third Ave., NY 11209 & Signature Bank ********** told the check clearing house the check was "disfigured" and cause our bank account into a negative balance.

We were called on Tuesday 2/14 by the home owners at ** ***** ******* ******** ** when Central Maine Power Co went to cover the lines. They didn't know anyone by the name of Kenneth Cole nor had they arranged to have the tree removed.

We normally do not cash checks prior to our work being done but Kenneth was insistent. I have attached the information in a word file but I have other information that this system is not letting me upload.

I am not sure where else to turn to. Please let us know. Thank you

Useful
Reply
Report

Received fake check in mail and instructions to purchase gift cards, then send the scratched off card numbers back to them.

Useful
Reply
- Opelousas, LA, USA
Report

I received a check from an unknown company. Having no bank account, no one could cash this check. The bank that issued the check could not give me information. The phone number from the company is disconnected. I'm not sure what to do now.

Useful
Reply
- Stockbridge, GA, USA
Report

Scammer originally came as an average person on Instagram, wanting to "be friends" and talk/have my time in exchange for payment (meaning they will pay me). After agreeing to participate, they "told me a bit about themselves," and I did the same. Eventually, I was sent two fake checks to deposit at two separate times. One worth 1500, and another worth 2000. I was to take a portion of the first check and send the rest.

The money I didn't keep was sent through CashApp, to help the scammer's "relative in another state." The scammer also told me that they didn't use 3rd party apps, so I thought I could help them. The scammer had a person by the name of "Keith C. Hoard." After "transferring" the first couple of hundred, I was able to keep a portion of the money. Then, I was given the second check to transfer more money. At this point, I began to become suspicious and decided to call the whole thing off. The scammer told me that I had to transfer the rest of the $1500 I was sent or get in serious trouble. I did so, still thinking that the money I received was real. I was also told to transfer $2000 the next day. The next day, however, the checks I was given bounced, and I had to cover the fee and pay the bank the 1500 and 2000. I recognized the scam before I did anything with the $2000 I was given, so no harm was done there, but because I "transferred" the $1500, I had to pay all of that back. In the end, the scammer got $1500, I lost $1500, and they blocked me from all forms of contacting them. However, I acquired information on who "Keith C. Hoard" is through Instagram. After multiple attempts, I never got an answer.

Useful
Reply
- Shelton, CT, USA
Report

I applied for a driving position at DYT Yacht Transport Service, and they responded by telling me that the position had been filled, but, they know someone who's in need of a personal driver for a Dr. K. Menn. So, I took the information from the email, and this is what I wrote, hi I was given your name and email address by Bethany Brinkworth, HR Manager from DYT Yacht Transport to express my interest in the professional driver position you are in need to fill.

From there, me and this so called Dr. Menn went back and forth about the detail of the job, and how she Dr Karen Menn, needed a driver and she will pay me $960.00 a wk. There is more detail, but I'll get to the point, she then explained, how she will send me a check for $4,860.00 and I was to take my pay for the week of $960.00, and the rest would have to be giving to whomever she will rent the car from. She also ask me to mail out some FEDEX and UPS packages for her while she was in meetings. By then she had my information and sent me the FRAUDULENT check from ***** ***** ********** the following day.

Everything started to click in my brain and then realized this was a scam, I reported this information to Indeed and now to BBB.

Useful
Reply
Report

Subject poses as an attractive female and gets to know the victim in messaging/chat. "She" then states that she is unable to deposit or otherwise cash an insurance check, but instead, can have it made out in his name so he can cash it instead, keeping part of it as a thank you for helping her. The individual states they live in Pittsboro, NC, while they have sent 2 different checks to be cashed from Sioux, SD and Coatsville, PA. Here is an image of one of the checks.

Useful
Reply
- South San Francisco, CA, USA
Report

I am a freelance Makeup Artist and I do makeup as a hobby. I was first e-mailed by a "Lisa Resnick" inquiring about the total cost of makeup services for 10 people on her wedding day, Jan. 12, 2019. I replied that I am available and then she responded back with an address where they will get ready and asked to add the travel fees required and the total cost for everyone, which I did respond back with, telling her the total for all services would cost $852 and the deposit to secure the booking would be $426.

Then she responds that she is OK with the cost and would send me a check by mail. So, I gave her my mailing address (which was a bad move on my part). She then sent an e-mail saying that she sent the payment (but I haven't received it yet) and that she made a "mistake" with the total payment -- which was a LOT more than the deposit amount I mentioned to her. She said that this total payment was actually for the "wedding event planner", not for me. She then instructed that when I receive the check to deposit it to my bank, take the amount I need for her makeup service deposit, and she will give me the information when the check has cleared on where to send the rest of the funds to. I told her I never got anything in the mail.

I thought this was already odd, so I thought that I should speak to her to give me a peace of mind and found out that it is a Google Voice Number -- now, I am really suspicious. I requested she should call me so we can talk about it. Instead of calling me like I requested, she texted me with a tracking number that she sent the check through via USPS and to let her know when I received it, which I did let her know. She texted back instructing me to deposit it, when it clears to let her know and she will give me information who to send it to, which is supposed to be the "event planner" -

Again I called her to tell her I wanted to speak to her about this check. She texted back with this: "I told you that I can only be reached via mail or text message as am at the moment on a work site and would implore you to feel free to text me if you have any question. Thanks." Mind that she had mentioned this "work site" a couple weeks before and I was calling her after business hours already.

After this text message, I already knew this was not good. I started researching online and found that there were other people who were scammed, same type of check with the same routing number, coming from same address from Atlanta (via USPS envelope, and also the same Citibank address on the counterfeit check. I won't be responding to any of her messages anymore after this.

I hope this report is helpful to others.

Useful
Reply
Report

This job emailed me and said that my resume was approved for an accounting job. I had to download an hangout app to communicate back and forth and which i had the online interview on there too. They sent me a check through usps of $2,550.00 to deposit via atm in my account to purchase their own supplies to do the job. Ive never did that or knew u can deposit checks through atms. So i tried but had no luck. So i tried a differnt method to try to cash it then have it deposit in my account but they come to tell me the check is fake. I dont know what their intentions was at all i could of went to jail. Then when i asked about it he said it was a cashiers check thats why i had to deposit it the way they ask. Im not sure what was going on. But it seemed a little fishy to me.

Useful
Reply
Report

Received a money order in the mail, caller stated she needs to send more money back to them and remember 10 things to do regarding this money order but she couldn't write it down or tell anyone.

Useful
Reply
- Morrow, GA, USA
Report

This was sent to me via text.

(WesternUnion MTCN 2718827199 In The Ammount Of $190.00 Is Ready To Pick Up. Follow) ow.ly/68pc30cUmZe

Useful
Reply
- Atlanta, GA, USA
Report

Received the attached letter w/ a check advising to deposit and then purchase iTunes gift cards.

Useful
Reply
Report

A request for a quote to complete a website design ended with a request to charge more than the deposit and pay a contractor who could not accept credit cards. Here is the final email:

"Thanks for your response an i understand you did you include it with the estimate, i am okay with the estimate and i wanna proceed so i will be depositing $2500 using credit card so work can commence ASAP.So you ready for my card # now ? or will you send me an invoice to make the payment ? what type of card merchant do you to process payment ? i understand the content for this site would be needed so as for the job to commence so regarding the content i will need a Little favor from you and the reason i need this favor from you is because the consultant does not have the facility to charge credit cards and i also am presently in the hospital for surgery so i will be glad if you can help me out with this favor,The favor i need from you is. i would give you my card info's to charge for $5600. so $2500 would be a deposit payment for my website design and the remaining $3000 you would help me send it to the project consultant that has the text content and the logo for my website so once he has the $3000 he would send the text content and logo needed for my website to you also the funds would be sent to him via cash deposit into his account, sending of funds would be after funds clears into your account and also $100 tip as form of Gratitude towards the Job."

I confirmed with the SBA that this in fact is a scam before posting it here.

Useful
Reply
Report

The male started texting my phone number in response to an ad I placed on KSL.com in Salt Lake City, Utah. He finally sent a check on the New York City Department of Finance, 59 Maiden Lane - 20th Fl. , New York, New York 10038. ck # 50879 on a Wells Fargo Bank, n.a. with a date of 11/1/2016. The check was sent on Oct. 19, 2016 from Affordable Mini Storage, 6416 Quin Dr. Baton Rouge, La 70817. The check tracking was sent Priority Mail 3-day tm. USPS Tracking # 9405-5016-9932-0097-1208-75. Mailed in Baton Rough, Louisiana, 10817, to 70826, to SLC. 84199 to Rush Valley, Utah 84069. The male tests several times a day and wants to know what the status of the check is he knows it was delivered to 84069 on Oct. 22, 2016. We contacted the ScamPulse.com they advised to take it to the bank and try to cash it out. We didn't do that. Instead we called the New York City Department of Finance where the denied any involvement in this matter and suggested we turn it over to law enforcement in our state as they have crossed several state lines with their process. We have done nothing with the check currently , plan to turn it over to law enforcement or destroy it and consider it an organized scam. We wish to prevent others from this behavior. These people wanted us to cash the check and pay their currier 2500.00 to pick up the troughs and then we would be informed of when/where we would receive our monies for the troughs.

Useful
Reply
- Yuma, AZ, USA
Report

I have received a cashiers check for payment of a puppy I am selling. My asking price was $ 250 but the person sending paent sent $3,000 . The cashiers checl has United Community Bank on it and the address of such bank was Blue Ridge, GA 30513. The check number is 1808623. Before cashing this I nred to know if it is legitimate. The sender aldo told me he was sending extra for crate, food, and toys. Payment for those items, the puppy, and his transport to pick up & deliver the puppy. The srnfer is Mark William of Las Vegas, NV. Please get back with me asap. Thank you.

.

Useful
Reply
Check fields!

Report Fake Check Scam


Upload here Increase visibility and credibility of your review by
adding a photo, document or video
Submit

Fake Check Scam Contacts

Fake Check Scam associated photos:


If you know any contact information for Fake Check Scam, help other victims by adding it!

Add new contacts
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | New