Every week we get complaints from people being scammed by phony checks.

Lottery winnings: You've won and they've sent you an advanced check to cover the "taxes" just cash and wire the money. 30 days later you found out the check was a fraud on you're out the money.

Craigslist: Someone offers to buy your item. They send you a check but make a "mistake" and have paid you too much. No problem. Kindly wire or send the over paid amount back to them. Then you learn the truth. The check was no good.

Mystery Shopper: Sounds great. Go shopping. Fill out surveys. You're sent a check. Told to cash and spend but are given a story about why you need to send some money back. By now you know the rest of the story.

The Consumer Federation of America has put out a great press release about this and how to protect yourself. Read it by clicking here. (English Version)

(Spanish Version) click here.