Most Popular Videos Featured On KDKA.com
Jul 8, 2009 8:56 pm US/Eastern
Consumer Alert: Old Check Scam Takes New Form
BRIDGEVILLE (KDKA) ―
A new twist on an old scam could cost you thousands of dollars.
It started with a phone call congratulating Ellen Englert from Bridgeville about being selected to be a customer service evaluator.
She had participated in surveys before and decided to participate.
A few days later, she received an envelope in the mail which included a letter promising her work two hours a day twice a week.
All she had to do is complete her training assignment within 48 hours. Her pay was $240.
They sent her an official-looking CitiBank check for $3,794.22.
Ellen's job was to go to Walmart and send a Money Gram for $3,450 to a fictitious relative and fax in an evaluation form about the quality of service she received.
She was to judge the person who waited on her on personal appearance, communication skills and listening skills, but Ellen says she wasn't buying it because of a discrepancy.
The address on the inside of the envelope was a Canadian company called Elite Solution and the address on the outside was from a Canadian insurance company.
Had she deposited the check, she would have had to pay the bank back all the money.
Ellen called both Canadian companies and contacted Money Gram, Walmart and CitiBank about the scam.
The counterfeit CitiBank check even had a phone number on it. If you call the number, CitiBank supposedly answers, tells you to punch in your check numbers and says the check is good, but it really isn't.
Be aware that old scams come in new forms all the time.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Painted Chickens Found Wandering At CMU
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments