Fake checks are often common among scammers. The Better Business Bureau has recently been made aware of a new scam targeting small businesses, says Security Savings Bank Vice President Dorothy Ricketts:
“Out of town homeowners are trying to con contractors with fake checks. They will contact a contractor and ask them to perform work and will pay them in advance to buy materials and type of thing, but they will send a check that is not any good. They will go even deeper where the work actually gets partially completed, but the contractor will never get paid. Be really, really cautious with out-of-town requests for service. Follow up with references and Google.”
The Better Business Bureau considers taking the time to verify the authenticity of a check:
-Does the check number in the right corner match the number at the bottom?
-Is the company’s or individual’s name or address misspelled?
-If the check stock flimsy?
-Does the check have a correct routing number across the bottom?
**Written by WMOI/WRAM Director of Communications Kelsey Crain**
