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Health & Fitness

INTERNET INTRIGUE: Poland to NY via Little Rock

FedEx delivers a large check that you do not expect- with various addresses scanning the world. It's a scam, and here's what you need to know, so you do not become a victim.

INTERNET INTRIGUE: Poland to NY via Little Rock

 

Recently, FedEx delivered a $5500 check and I was perplexed. Perhaps not the reaction one might expect when receiving a check of that amount, but it was not only unexpected, the check was sent by someone that I did not know. A cheery thought flashed through my mind that perhaps it was a fee my husband was expecting, but that was, unfortunately, not the case either.

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This was a scam; we hear about these schemes but do not expect to get pulled into one.  A typical internet scenario involves a scam artist, who  has an item for sale or responds to an item that you have for sale, ex using Craig’s List. An email follows stating that an error was made in the check sent to you-a larger check was sent to you than intended and a secretary, spouse, etc is to blame. A request is then made of you to deposit the (fraudulent) check and to simply write a check for the difference, which is to be returned to the scam artist. Sometimes, you are even instructed to keep a few extra dollars for your trouble.

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The trouble with all of this is, however,  that this unexpected check will obviously bounce.  And for those who follow the scam artist’s instructions, the innocent person’s money is lost to this scheme.

 

The FedEx envelope that I received has a return address of Little Rock, Arkansas. The illegible signature on the check shows a return address of a Poznan University of Medical Science in Somer, NY and the bank is supposedly in Buffalo. Out of curiosity I googled “Poznan University”, and it is a medical university in Poland.

 

Another big red flag, in addition to sending monies back to a stranger, is funds being wired via Western Union. EBay, Google and other internet sites alert us to these schemes, and more information is available online. If you are tempted, out of curiosity, to deposit the check, be aware that the deposited check will carry information about your bank account and other personal details, such as your address.

 

My husband was looking for a used car for our daughter and the seller  said she was leaving the country to do missionary work. Her telephone number was in one state and she asked that the check be mailed to a different state to a person with a different name. The photos of the car were fabulous but this was just another detail of the fraudulent charade.  If you have concerns contact the local authorities, speak with your bank, and be vigilant. Remember, if you do see a deal on the internet that seems too good to be true, it probably is.

 

Got to run, now! Just got another text message:

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.  .  .  we can ship it to you immediately!”

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