Fraudulent Check Scam
Have you received a check from the Colorado Roofing Association that you were not expecting?
It’s a scam! A new phishing/postal scam is posing as the Colorado Roofing Association.
Please be aware, the Colorado Roofing Association has been informed that some U.S. residents have recently received envelopes through the U.S. Mail containing checks that appear to be from Colorado Roofing Association. The checks are not authentic, but part of a scam.
In this scam, checks are being issued, allegedly from our organization, for several thousand dollars higher than the agreed-upon price for items advertised for sale on Craig’s List or other Internet sales websites. The seller is asked to refund the amount of the overpayment by wiring funds back to the buyer.
Do not attempt to deposit the check or wire any “overpayment or fees.” This is a scam. The senders are trying to steal money from you!
If you have received a suspicious delivery that contains a check appearing to be from Colorado Roofing Association, you should contact your state Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud division or your local police department. If you have further questions, you may contact the Colorado Roofing Association.
Check Scam Tips:
The following is an excerpt from SmartMoney.com:
A Craigslist Scam You Might Fall For
Consumer Action by Aleksandra Todorova
A remote buyer feigns interest in buying your goods —sight unseen— and sends you a check or money order for more than the item costs. You are asked to wire the difference. Several days later, the bank discovers that the check is fraudulent and you’re responsible for the balance.
The fake-check scam has become so common that several weeks ago Craigslist.com issued a scam alert and added a warning message that runs with each email generated through the site.
Be suspicious of any emails or letters that:
Come from a buyer claiming to be located far away, usually in a foreign country or out of state, who is interested in your goods sight unseen and tries to work through a third party, such as a secretary or associate.
The email conveys a sense of urgency for you to wire the money, but there are no questions about picking up the item for sale. These people never really attempt to get the merchandise. They never really make any shipping arrangements. They’re not interested in getting the goods — they’re interested in getting the money.
You are sent more money than you’re owed. If someone is paying you and as part of the deal they want you to wire money somewhere, it’s a scam.
Variations of the check-fraud scam include a lottery or sweepstakes notice (“you are the winner of a cash prize, but in order to receive your winnings, you must pay a fee to cover taxes” and the like) and work-at-home offers (you have to process checks for clients, basically cashing checks you receive and keeping your share).
Help others by reporting your scam to the following agencies:
- US Postal Inspection Service – for fraudulent items received via U.S. Mail.
- Federal Trade Commission
If you’ve been scammed, you can also file complaints with:
It won’t help you get your money back, but it might help prevent others from suffering in the future.