Our company name is being used in a counterfeit check cashing scam to make it look real. It's been several years since we've been targeted, but they are being very aggressive right now. Many legitimate shopping companies fall victim to this. I am receiving up to 20 calls a day, just as many phone messages in the evenings and emails/messages via our website, since Feb. We have had a warning on our website for many years as well as notices at other sites.
Many have deposited the checks and have had their bank accounts frozen, one gentleman said he got as far as the Walmart Express center and they would not transfer the funds, thank goodness. So hopefully there is a red flag on that end now. However, they just added a new twist to it and are asking people to purchase iTunes gift cards and send them photos of the PINs. So far one person, that I know of, has fallen for it and lost $1900.
I called the Secret Service in February this year and they said if someone has suffered a loss they should start with local police and if the loss is significant enough, they will turn it over to the SS (Got the same story in 2010 and several people got scammed over $4000 and that was not significant enough for the SS). I also spoke to the FBI and got the same story but they said to direct people to www.ic3.gov to report it. I'm hoping that if enough people file a complaint at that site, they may actually launch an investigation. I know there are other sites to file complaints as well, but the FBI gave me this one.
Leslie Jeter
President, Clear Evaluations