How to Report Check Scam & Fraud

Thousands of people are victims of check fraud each year.

Thousands of people are victims of fraud each year, and many of these cases involve checks. This includes the use of forged or fake checks, fraudulent advance payments of sweepstakes or inheritances, and even the use of fraudulent cashier's checks. If you believe that you are or have been a victim of a check scam or check fraud, there are several important resources to consult and ways to report the incident, not only to protect yourself from legal trouble, but also to aid law enforcement in catching the criminals perpetrating the fraud.

Things You'll Need

• Relevant fraud information
• Phone book
• Computer with Internet connection

Instructions

1. Collect as much information as you can before you file a complaint or contact law enforcement officers. Information that you will need to provide includes the name of the telemarketer, seller, company or individual involved in the scam or fraud. You will also need to provide relevant check information, with the date and the monetary amount of the fraud. You will not need to provide specific banking information. Any additional specific details that you can collect about the fraud or the persons who perpetrated the fraud against you will help law enforcement officers in their investigation.

2. Fill out the online form at the National Consumer League's Fraud Center (see Resource section). This form is specifically for scams that have been perpetrated via telephone or the Internet. If you have been a victim of check scams or fraud, but it did not occur over the telephone or Internet, continue to Step 3.

3. Contact the Attorney General's office for the state in which you live. You can find the contact information for your state's Attorney General's office in the phone book or online. For example, if you live in Texas, you would search in your Internet browser for "Texas Attorney General." Most such offices have websites that allow you to report fraud online or by downloading the appropriate forms.

4. Contact the National Check Fraud Center via telephone at 843-571-2143 for help in reporting check fraud or scams. You can find more information on their website (see Resource section), including links to federal agencies and an online fraud reporting form.

Tips & Warnings

• If at any time you are given a check or cashier's check that you think might be fake or fraudulent, do not deposit the check, as you could face legal repercussions. Instead, report the suspicious check to your local law enforcement agency.

References

• fraud.org: Check Fraud

Resources

• National Consumer League's Fraud Form
• National Check Fraud Center