North American Clearing Services fraudulent check scam
One of our senior UCAN members received a letter form North American Clearing Services in Canada stating she won a sweepstakes prize of $50,000. In addition to the letter was a check that looks real and is NOT. The scam artists used the Mellon United National Bank in Florida, State Farm Insurance name and logo and an agent of State Farm in Miami without the permission or knowledge of these companies. The UCAN member received the fraudulent check in the amount of $2775.26. State Farm Corporate and Mellon Bank are aware of the fraud and have notified the appropriate authorities.
If you receive a check like this for a sweepstakes or other prize, do not cash it. It is a scam!
Click on the images below to see the fake check and fraudulent letter for yourself, and remember to fill out our complaint form if you receive anything similar.
Like what you see? Go ahead and show your support! UCAN is a truly independent non-profit watchdog organization, dependent on grassroots donations like yours!
Utility Consumers' Action Network
(619) 696-6966 or file a complaint about a company online.
Terms & Conditions
UCAN.org is made available by the Utility Consumers' Action Network to assist you in becoming what you always knew you could be, a consumer ROCK STAR! We take no corporate money, and are beholden only to you, the consumer. As such, the site is here for educational, advocacy, and empowerment purposes, as well to to give you general information and a general understanding of the law. Just remember this site is NOT here to provide specific legal advice. By using this web site you of course understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the Web Site publisher, UCAN. The Web Site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
That said, get to digging on the site, inform yourself, speak your mind, and earn Watchdog Bones! This is YOUR site, and we mean it. So comment on any of the content, discuss the latest issues in the forums, file a complaint on a company with the fraud squad, and generally cut loose.
See our Privacy Policy and Copyright Policy, Some Rights Reserved
- Remember, if you have any questions about copyright law or need legal information regarding intellectual property, the internet, or new technologies, visit our affiliate New Media Rights at www.newmediarights.org. If you are in the San Diego region, you can also can apply to use our multimedia studio and equipment for free.
complete fraud. check is
complete fraud. check is designed to cash to unknowing banks and then after you've spent it the bank needs to recover any of the money you've spent and spend 3-4 grand and see how fast you credit goes to shit. don't cash the check and don't send them money for christ sake!
check
i got a check from north american sweepstake for 4900.00 i cash it so what can i do to make this right i cash it at a local store what can i do
Another example
I received a check this morning--it was delivered UPS Next Day Air Early AM--and it was made out to me, ostensibly form Stanley Supply & Services. It doesn't have any of the obvious mistakes that were mentioned here earlier--no wrong address, incomplete routing number--but it IS a funky-looking check from a company with which I have no business relationship, which came unsolicited with no note attached.
check
I wrote in an earlier comment about depositing the check and having my bank look into it. They called me back and said the check is no good... I also called principal financial group and they also said it is a scam. You can check it out yourselves at www.Principal.com or call principal at 1-800-986-3343 and they will confirm for you that this is in fact a scam. There are apparently several varities out there, but all in all, they are frauds. Luckily I am only out $20 for the processing fee from my bank... Good luck to all...
check
I also received a letter stating I won and a $3200 check. I deposited the check thinking it was real because it looks so real. I have called my bank and told them that I need to know if the check is part of a fraud scam or not and they are looking into it for me right now. Call your bank and ask them about the check. I have no other advice yet as Im in the same situation..
Depositing check consequences
If one deposits checks from North Amereican or any others resembling this scam, you are asked to send all or part of the money to the sender (in another country) per wire transfer, money order or cashier's check. The check you deposit from these scam artists is a fake check designed to look real. The consequence is there's no way to make the check good or retrieve the money you've been asked to send.
Don't deposit ANY checks that just suddenly appear. You lose and the scam artists make millions.
SAM
I got one but it didn't
I got one but it didn't survive for 10 seconds
What to do?
As Vince says here
Let us know if you have a scam you want to let everyone know about by clicking here
"Report these scams to
a. FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center: www.ic3.gov
b. Phonebusters: (888) 495-8501
c. Federal Trade Commission: (877) 382-4357
The Project Emptor Task Force recommends the following tips to U.S. citizens who may be targeted for cross-border fraud or advance-fee fraud solicitations.
Be suspicious of any offer that sounds too good to be true.
Fraudulent telemarketers may misrepresent themselves as government officials, law enforcement officers, banking representatives and attorneys, in order to convince a potential victim to send money. In addition, they may also attempt to send documents falsely representing their company or governmental agency.
If you have legitimately won a lottery or sweepstakes prize, you will never have to pay money in advance of receiving your winnings.
Hang up on anyone who solicits your money in advance of awarding a prize.
Never provide personal information over the telephone including your date of birth, social security account number, credit card or bank account information.
Do not attempt to deposit checks sent by companies whose representatives claim the check is being sent to pay fees or taxes on lottery winnings. These checks may appear to be legitimate but they are not. Some of the checks may even be drawn on legitimate accounts and may include actual routing numbers so that they appear to be authentic even when presented for deposit at a bank.
Fraudulent telemarketers will apply high pressure sales techniques by falsely representing that the fees are required immediately in order to obtain the winnings.
Report cross-border or advance-fee scams over the Internet or over the phone to the following:
a. FBI's Internet Crime Complain
b. Phonebusters: (888) 495-8501
c. Federal Trade Commission: (877) 382-4357
Visit the following websites for more information and helpful tips:
www.fbi.gov
www.ftc.gov/crossborder"
Checks from North American Clearing Services
I have read serveral comments about this scam, and have no doubt it is a scam. But what would actually happen if one were to deposit the check?
Post new comment