Scam artists sending fake checks through the mail

CCSD Chief Deputy Rob Gambill [Click to enlarge]

Chief Deputy Rob Gambill contacted The Brazil Times with information about the scam after a local resident didn't fall for the "too good to be true opportunity" in their mail and reported the scam to authorities.

"This citizen didn't fall for it, they reported it," Gambill said. "If someone falls for a scam like this, they could be potentially held liable for the money lost to the scammers. This one, which is confirmed a scam, is a form of the Canadian Lottery Scam."

According to officials, scam artists from Canada draft and send out hundreds of letters with official looking checks, using a real company in America as a front, to people announcing they have won a cash prize. However, to get the full prize the recipient has to cash the check, keeping a small portion to cover their expenses, and return the rest to cover processing fees.

"In this case, the letter appears on the surface to be legit, but it's not. The scam artist used a Texas company, New Braunfels Feed and Supply Corp., as the front and sent out what appeared to be a company check for $3,980 allegedly drafted by Milestone Financial, Louisville, Ky.," Gambill said. "The letter said the person would receive $61,020 back for following the instructions and after taking out other administrative fees. But it's all a fraud, they wouldn't have gotten anything."

Although many people throw these types of mailings away automatically, Gambill said people who receive scam letters in the mail should report them immediately.

"They can contact the Sheriff's Department," he said. "But mail scams really need to be reported to the Indiana Attorney General's (IAG) Office so it can be investigated and tracked down."

To send the scam information to the IAG, mail it to Indiana Government Center South
302 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, Ind., 46204 or call 1-317-232-6201.