BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Mobile banking is on the rise, making it easier for scammers to get away with your money. Now, fake checks are being used in many scams targeting the younger generation.
"Shockingly enough people are still losing money to these fake check scams even though you'd think nobody uses checks anymore."
Trends are showing, that is not the case. Veronica Craker with the Better Business Bureau says anyone can be a target. In most cases, college students or stay at home parents lose the most money falling victim to work from home job scams.
CBS2 reporter Alexis Goree asked students at Boise State if they used checks, or if they would be able to detect a fake one.
The answer? "Definitely not."
"I don't really write checks at all but I do receive them through my job since I work for the state. So I'd like to think I could tell if it was fake or not," said a Boise State student.
Craker says the younger generation is not that comfortable using checks. While they grew up using their mobile phones or debit cards. That is what scammers prey on.
"They send you a check and they say this will cover some of your salary and you can also buy yourself a computer or any materials you need to use to do the job. Whatever is left over, just send it back to us," Craker said,
The scammer claims the check must be deposited within two to three days, to get you to spend the money before the bank can tell you the check has cleared or not. Leaving you responsible for the money.
"They are trying to skirt some sort of law to get you to use your account to get them money so watch out for that," Craker said.
If you receive a check, take a good look at it.
-Does the routing numbers add up?
-Does the bank exist?
-Is the company name correct?
-See if the check number matches the routing number.
And if you're just not sure, run it by your bank first and avoid using mobile banking.
Craker says in 2016, 500,000 victims across the country have lost over 700 million dollars to the fake check scam. In Idaho, Boise Police and the Attorney General’s office are teaming up with the BBB to make sure you don’t become the next victim.
"That is why education is key. If we can spot the fake check ahead of time then we can stop it before anybody loses any money," Craker said.
The Better Business Bureau says if you are a victim of a fake check scam. Contact your local BBB office, local police, and the Attorney General to file a report immediately.
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