Thieves Use Fake County of Los Angeles-Look-a-like Checks to Scam Victims Out of Thousands of Dollars

Seniors across Southern California targeted, asked to wire money to Canada

As fake check scams proliferate and get more sophisticated in nature, more and more unsuspecting consumers are losing thousands of dollars to this financially harmful scam.

A current scam targeting seniors across Southern California uses fake checks that appear to be from the County of Los Angeles to lure victims into wiring money to thieves in Canada.

Read the full press release from the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and the Auditor-Controller's office for more information on this scam.

DCA offers these tips for avoiding a fake check scam:

• Never wire money to strangers. There is no reason for someone to pay you by check and ask you to wire back some of the money
• Fake checks look real. Even some bank tellers are fooled by some fake checks. However, just because the bank accepts the fake check and releases the funds, it doesn’t mean the check is good. It can take weeks for the bank to find out and tell you that the check is bad.
• You are responsible for fake checks you deposit. When a fake check bounces, the bank will deduct money from your account or even sue you to recover the funds. If you deposit a check you know is fake, you can be prosecuted.
• It is very hard to get your money back. Thieves often live in other countries out of the reach of U.S. authorities. Your best protection is not to send them money no matter what they promise you.
• If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Don’t believe promises that you won a lottery or drawing you never entered.

For more information on fake checks and other scams, call DCA at (800) 593-8222.