Weird scam

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Hello I'm New here! Joined: 24 Dec 2005 Posts: 13

I'm trying to figure out this scam.

My CC # was stolen. Not uncommon. No big deal. The only thing it was used for was ClickNShip USPS postage labels. Around 10 of them at $67.10 each. Again, whatever...

Then, I get an envelope in the mail with one of these shipping labels--Returned to sender--me. Not only did they use my card, but they used my name and address as the return address. I did not have a USPS account that was hacked. They created it for this purpose.

Inside the envelope is a fake check. Written from a real charity to a real individual. Okay, again, seen this before. But I don't understand why they used my real name and address...

Then I hear from someone else (a stranger), asking me why I sent him a fake check (he was savvy enough to realize it was fake).

I explained what was going on.

Weird thing is he was not contacted with any sort of instructions to cash the check and send difference or advance fee or whatever. His envelope was just like mine...just the check and nothing else. It was made out to him, and it was forged from a different bank.

Tracking shows that the one I received started in Maine, was undeliverable in California, and then returned to me (in Florida), with fake check drawn from a Texas bank. His started in California and ended in California, from a California credit union.

What's the scam about? Should I report it to someone? I tried the Postal Inspector, but they're not interested.

Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2017 6:00 am

Scammers usually get victims to send their fake checks for them - they'll advertise on Craigslist etc, for people to do payroll jobs - printing and issuing fake checks. Chances are the person who sent out the checks using your details didn't put whatever details were meant to go with the check into the envelope with it.

I'm surprised that the Postal Inspectors aren't interested as that is meant to be their job.

Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2017 6:06 am

Reallly

Quote:

My CC # was stolen. Not uncommon. No big deal

.

Just delete the messages and contact your CC fraud dept.

Notify all the shipping services you use.

If you have a website post an alert that scammers are using your name and site for scams.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 26 Jun 2018 Posts: 36

Well, one iteration of this sort of thing I saw involved a "charity" getting an individual to open up a bank account in their own name, then sending them a dirty check. Now, they have the bank credentials because they set up the bank account to the specifications of the scammer. so when the check is deposited, they go buy their stupid iTunes gift cards or amazon or whatever. Then when the check bounces, they are liable because it is their bank account. The important thing to remember is these jerks prey on people that are gullible and do not know better.

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2018 5:43 pm

Noah115 welcome to eater. Please do not necro old threads. In most cases the original posters will be long gone or the question will have been dealt with.