You're In Charge

Credit Unions are required by law to make the funds from checks you deposit available to you quickly. This "hold" period is no guarantee that a check is good. It may not be long enough to reveal that a check is fraudulent. Credit Unions often release funds from a cashier's check or money order before it clears.

Remember: Just because you can withdraw the money does not mean the check is good. In any case, the victim of fraud must refund the full amount to the Credit Union.

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Checking Scams

Although they vary in the details, fake check scams involve stolen, forged, or counterfeit checks or money orders. The victim deposits the check into a personal checking account, sometimes as payment, sometimes as a favor to the fraudster. When the money is available and posted to the account, the victim wires the money to the criminals, usually keeping a small percentage as payment.

Cashier's checks and postal money orders are often considered to be as good as cash. In reality, they're only as good as the person sending it to you, whether it's a legitimate buyer or an online acquaintance.

Growing Fraud Schemes

Deposit Fraud

In deposit fraud, the victim opens a new bank account at the request of the con artist. This account's sole purpose is to process the crook's fake or stolen check. In return, the victim is promised a commission or a percentage of the money. The victim is instructed to draw the funds and transfer them to another account once the check or money order is deposited into this account. When the check is returned to the credit union unpaid, the funds are long gone and the victim must repay whatever amount the criminal stole.

Fee Fraud

This ever-evolving scheme has many variations. In essence, the victim pays money or provides something of value in anticipation of receiving something of greater value, such as a gift, loan, investment, or contract. The victim receives little or nothing in return. The so-called 419 Nigerian Letter scheme has gotten much recent news coverage.

Often, the con artist may promise the victim a payoff that involves lottery winnings, "found money," an inheritance, or some other vague opportunity that sounds too good to pass up. The victim may be asked to sign documents and pay a "finder's fee" in advance of receiving a service, such as a financing agreement or a "foreclosure rescue." Victims find that they are ineligible for this service or that the service does not exist – only after the victim has paid the fees.

The Rent Scam is another a type of Advance Fee fraud to be aware of. In this scam, a "landlord," often advertising on an online classified ad site, hooks potential renters on the perfect property at a great price. The red flags start when the potential renter is not able to see the inside of the property yet is asked to pay the rent in advance, possibly by wiring funds to Nigeria. Only after the money is gone, the renter then finds out that the "landlord" is in no way authorized to rent the property.

To avoid falling prey to an Advance Fee scheme, look for telltale signs. You should rarely pay for services before they are rendered. Offers that appear too good to be true are often just that. Legitimate business is rarely conducted in cash or on the street. Research a business or individual to verify credentials. Be sure you understand any business agreement that you enter into before signing anything. If the terms are complex, have an attorney review them.

Auction/Overpayment Scam

You sell or auction a product over the internet. The "buyer," usually from a foreign country, "overpays" in error. He requests that you wire the excess amount to the buyer or to a third party.

In a twist to this scam, an online acquaintance tells a hardship story involving a large check that she is unable to cash in her own country. As a favor, the victim deposits the check into his personal account and, once the check clears, wires the balance to the acquaintance, keeping a percentage as payment.

In all such cases, the bank will discover that the check or money order is counterfeit or stolen. The check is returned unpaid.

Ways You Can Protect Yourself

  • Verify the source of all checks that you deposit into your account. Fake money orders are common con artist tools.
  • Be wary of offers that require you to wire money or transfer funds.
  • There is no legitimate reason someone would give you a check or money order and ask you to wire money anywhere in return.

What to Do if You've Been the Victim of Fraud

Contact Rutgers Federal Credit Union Immediately!

If you think unauthorized access or fraud has occurred in connection with your Rutgers Federal Credit Union accounts, report such incidents to your closest branch or call the branch at 732-445-3050.