Protect yourself from fake check scams with these tips from FDIC. Even in today’s digital and mobile world where electronic money transfers are common, consumers and businesses may still prefer the assumed security of paper cashier’s checks or official bank checks for large or major payments. Criminals exploit the security provided by cashier's and official bank checks. They create counterfeit checks using advanced technologies that look authentic, making it hard for consumers and bank employees to detect. Here are some examples: 💲Lotteries and Sudden Riches Scams Scammers send fake checks and tell victims they won a lottery or inheritance. Scammers ask victims to cash the check and wire back funds to cover taxes and fees. Never cash a check or send money to someone you don't trust 💲Online Auctions, Classified Listing Sites, and Overpayment Scams Be careful when buying items online. Scammers may send you a fake cashier's check for more than the asking price. They will ask you to return the extra funds, but this is a scam. The goal is to trick you into depositing the fake check and sending them the legitimate money. Always verify checks before depositing them. 💲Secret or Mystery Shopper Employment Scams Scammers lure people with work-from-home job offers and provide an official check as a starting bonus. The new employee is then asked to pay for "account activation," hoping to receive funds before the official check clears and realizing they've been scammed. 🛑ALWAYS do your due diligence to prevent being a victim. 🛑DO NOT deposit any checks you are not familiar with What to Do If You Are Scammed If you think you’ve been targeted by a counterfeit check scam, report it immediately to any of the following agencies: ✅The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is at www.uspis.gov (if you received the check in the mail). ✅For possible online crimes involving counterfeit checks and money orders, file an online complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov) (a joint project of the FBI and National White Collar Crime Center). ✅In addition to notifying the bank whose name is on the check, you can notify the website or online service where you encountered the scammer (for example, the online auction website or job posting website), so they can block them from utilizing their services in the future. For more help or information, go to FDIC.gov or call the FDIC toll-free at 1-877-ASK-FDIC (1-877-275-3342). Please send your story ideas or comments to ConsumerNews@fdic.gov See video https://youtu.be/1pTA4_L3fhM Source: CBS News &FDIC