An old scam with new tentacles is currently reaching out to disabled veterans throughout the country. This scam has been around for quite some time, but it is making a comeback as it targets disabled veterans. The scam appears to be effective, in that thousands of veterans have already fallen victim to this deceitful scam. The scam involves giving veterans fake checks to deposit into their bank accounts.
Here’s How It Works
Veterans receive a letter in the mail informing them that as a disabled veteran, they have been selected to receive a “gift” ranging from $3000 - $5000. The letter mentions that only select veterans will receive checks, and the selection is based on the severity of their service-connected condition. After receiving the “gift” in the mail, the veteran must follow a precise set of instructions informing them to send a portion of the gift back to the contact person. According to the set of instructions, the money sent back verifies the veteran is Honorably discharged and that the veteran is service-connected with one or more disabilities, and that the veteran appreciates the gesture from the contact business. The veteran is informed that the difference of what they send back to the contact, and what the actual check is written out for is their money to keep.
For instance, if a veteran receives a check for $4500, and told to wire back $2000, the $2500 difference belongs to the veteran. Typically, a FedEx or UPS envelope is included in the package. The veteran is instructed to deposit the check into his/her bank account and then locate a Western Union office and wire $2,000 dollars of the money from the check back to the contact.
Within days, the veterans bank will contact him/her to inform him/her that the check deposited is a fake. Once the bank realizes the check is a fake, the bank will remove the money from the veteran’s bank account.
Remember, when you deposit a check, you are telling the bank the check is good. If the check turns out to be a fake, the bank seizes the money in your account and you are responsible for coming up with the cash to repay the bank.
Here’s How It Works
Veterans receive a letter in the mail informing them that as a disabled veteran, they have been selected to receive a “gift” ranging from $3000 - $5000. The letter mentions that only select veterans will receive checks, and the selection is based on the severity of their service-connected condition. After receiving the “gift” in the mail, the veteran must follow a precise set of instructions informing them to send a portion of the gift back to the contact person. According to the set of instructions, the money sent back verifies the veteran is Honorably discharged and that the veteran is service-connected with one or more disabilities, and that the veteran appreciates the gesture from the contact business. The veteran is informed that the difference of what they send back to the contact, and what the actual check is written out for is their money to keep.
For instance, if a veteran receives a check for $4500, and told to wire back $2000, the $2500 difference belongs to the veteran. Typically, a FedEx or UPS envelope is included in the package. The veteran is instructed to deposit the check into his/her bank account and then locate a Western Union office and wire $2,000 dollars of the money from the check back to the contact.
Within days, the veterans bank will contact him/her to inform him/her that the check deposited is a fake. Once the bank realizes the check is a fake, the bank will remove the money from the veteran’s bank account.
Remember, when you deposit a check, you are telling the bank the check is good. If the check turns out to be a fake, the bank seizes the money in your account and you are responsible for coming up with the cash to repay the bank.