Sheriff warns of check scams

By DAN KEGLEY/Staff

Scam artists continue to illicitly separate the unwitting from their money, and with spring around the corner, more money will be lost unless people are on their guard.
That’s the message from Smyth County Sheriff David Bradley who said Thursday his office is working with the FBI and local authorities after four fraudulent money giveaways surfaced in two weeks.
Some of the scams claim the recipient has won “up to $ 2 million,” Bradley said.
Investigators in one case intercepted a scammer’s phone call and traced its origin to Jamaica, which the sheriff said is the base for many of the scams he has seen.
Bank of Marion Vice President Rob Donnelly said fraudulent checks are “still a big issue in Smyth County. We continue to see several fraudulent checks each week, most of which are related to various scams.”
Last week, the Independent Community Bankers of America observed the 12th annual National Consumer Protection Week and noted a once-safe transaction document is now used by scammers.
“Once considered the safest of checks to accept, cashier’s checks are now being used by con artists in a variety of scams,” ICBA said in a release.
“Fraudulent checks have grown in popularity due to the Internet and the increased availability of copiers and printers that produce quality-looking checks. Even though the problem continues to grow, you don’t need to be a victim,” said R. Michael Menzies, ICBA chairman and president and CEO of Easton Bank and Trust Co., Easton, Md. “Our customers can protect themselves by keeping an eye out for a few key warning signs that indicate something just isn’t right. And if you have any questions, if it sounds too good to be true, or if you’re just not sure, the person to ask is your community banker who can help you spot a scam.”
“Do not give personal information,” Bradley said, when the phone rings or a letter arrives with a deal “that’s too good to be true.”
Bradley said suspicious checks or offers should be reported to his office at 782-4056.
The same holds true for a different sort of scam he expects to see on the rise with the arrival of spring.
“Be careful about home repair and painting scams,” Bradley said. Common ploys often involve an offer to paint or make repairs, but poor quality materials are used if work is done at all.
If someone offers to do unsolicited work around the home, Bradley said the homeowner should call his office to see if the worker is registered. Contract laborers are required by county code to register and pay a fee to the county to operate within its borders.
“Feel free to call,” the sheriff said. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

dkegley@wythenews.com