Fradulent Check Scam Alert

State Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp has issued a Fraudulent Check Scam Alert to all Maryland’s citizens. Her office has become aware of a sharp increase in “secret shopper” and “lottery” scams involving the receipt of a fraudulent check that appears to be issued by the State of Maryland.

The scammers mail the potential victim a fraudulent check, along with a letter from a fake company, usually with a Canadian address. In one scam, the letter says the victim has been selected to conduct a secret shopping assignment. In the other scam, the letter says the victim has won a lottery prize.

In both cases, the potential victim is directed to de posit the fraudulent check into their bank account, and then to immediately wire a portion of the check proceeds to the scammers using Western Union or Money Gram.

PLEASE NOTE: THE CHECK WILL BE RETURNED AS UNCOLLECTED BECAUSE IT IS COUNTERFEIT, AND ANY MONEY WIRED TO THE SCAMMERS CANNOT BE RETRIEVED. YOU WILL LOSE THAT MONEY AND YOU WILL BE CHARGED BANK FEES.

Questions or concerns can be addressed to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection hotline at 410-528-8662 or toll-free at 888-743-0023.

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