Scams to Get Cash

Foreigners asking for assistance in transferring funds to U.S. dollars They usually offer to send you cashier’s checks or postal money orders in exchange for money wired to them. They may tell you to keep a percentage for your trouble. The cashier’s checks or postal money orders will often be fake. Won a prize Scammers call or email saying that you have won a prize. You are asked to provide a credit card number, savings/checking account number for verification or to cover shipping and handling costs. The prize often never arrives, but charges are racked up on your credit card or money is taken out of the account.

• Sale of an item
  • Buyer offers to send more than purchase price to cover shipping and handling.
  • You are asked to wire back the difference.
  • The cashier’s checks or postal money orders will often be fake.

• Mystery Shopper
  • You receive a letter with a cashier's check. The letter asks you to be a part of a mystery shopping program.
  • All you have to do is use the money from the cashier's check to shop at a number of stores as well as usually wiring a set amount of money via Western Union, MoneyGram or a similar business.
  • Usually the amount you are asked to spend and wire is less than the cashier's check amount, and you get to keep the difference as payment for your services.
  • The cashier's check is often fraudulent.