Scam of the Week: Beware the Fake Cashier’s Check
No one is immune to being targeted by scammers, including lawyers and law firms. Lawyers often handle debt collection, and cybercriminals are seeking to take advantage of that. In this week’s scam, a law firm is contacted by someone claiming to be a client who needs assistance with collecting a debt payment. The firm works with the client to determine who owes the debt and then sends a letter requesting that the debt be paid. The person who owes the debt money immediately agrees to pay and sends what appears to be a real cashier’s check to cover the cost.
The law firm deposits the check and wires money to the client’s account. However, both the client and the person who owes the debt are scammers who are working together. The entire story about being owed a debt is a scam, and the cashier’s check is fake. The fake check doesn’t clear at the bank, and the scammers are able to escape with the law firm’s money!
Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to a cashier’s check scam:
- Look for red flags. Always be suspicious of situations or opportunities that seem too good to be true.
- Be extra cautious when dealing with money or other financial requests. Trust your instincts and contact your bank if you have concerns about a check or money transfer.
- Be suspicious of requests to take action quickly. Cybercriminals pressure their victims to act quickly so they won’t be caught.
Source: KnowBe4.com
