Earlier this year, Corey Berghammer was asked to cash a check from a lottery. The customer wasn’t expecting any winnings, but was happy for the pay off. Corey wasn’t so sure her customer had hit the jackpot after all.
Tell us what happened, Corey.
Corey: A customer came in with a lottery check and asked if it was real. That question alone raised a red flag. When I asked if the customer was expecting the check, they replied “No.” That’s a major warning sign.
What else seemed suspicious about the check?
Corey: The customer said they had called the number on the letter that came with the check. The person who answered the call told our customers to deposit the check and call back once it was done. That’s another red flag—scammers often pressure victims to act quickly.
Sounds like you were alerted pretty quickly that something didn’t feel right. Did anything else feel suspicious to you?
Corey: Several things stood out:
- The name on the check didn’t match the name on the letter.
- The fonts on the check were inconsistent—different sizes and colors.
- The logos looked off-center, like they were poorly copied and pasted.
These are all classic signs of a fraudulent check.
How did your customer respond when you confirmed it was fraudulent?
Corey: The customer admitted they were hopeful it was real because they needed the money. But once I showed my customer the inconsistencies, they were relieved and said, “Go ahead and shred that check.”
What are signs people should watch out for to spot a fraudulent check?
- Unexpected Windfalls: If you weren’t expecting a check, be cautious—especially if it claims you’ve won something.
- Mismatch in Details: Check that names, addresses, and logos are consistent across all documents. Remember, the name of the remitter on the check should match the name of the company sending the check.
- Poor Design: Look for signs of tampering—like mismatched fonts, blurry logos, or off-center formatting.
- Pressure to Act Quickly: Scammers often urge you to deposit the check and report back. That’s a tactic to rush you before you notice the fraud.
- Too Good to Be True: If it feels too good to be true, it probably is.
If you ever receive a suspicious check, don’t deposit it. Bring it to a trusted financial institution or contact your local fraud prevention team. It’s always better to ask than to risk being scammed.