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Si alguna persona que no conoces te envía un cheque y te pide que le devuelvas parte del dinero, es una estafa.

Los cheques falsos generan varios tipos de estafas — como las que involucran las falsas oportunidades de empleo e ingresos, venta de anuncios clasificados en línea y demás. En una estafa con un cheque falso, un desconocido te pide que deposites un cheque – a veces de miles de dólares, y por lo general, por un monto más alto del que te adeudan — y te dice que envíes de vuelta una parte del dinero, a menudo a través de una transferencia de dinero o tarjeta de regalo, a esa misma persona o a otra. Los estafadores siempre tienen una buena historia para explicar el sobrepago. Podrían decir que están varados fuera del país, que necesitan que tú les cubra impuestos o cargos, o que tendrás que comprar materiales o alguna otra cosa. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Por ley, los bancos tienen que acreditar rápidamente los fondos depositados — por lo general, verás que el dinero se acredita en tu cuenta en uno o dos días. Pero pueden pasar semanas hasta que el banco se entere de que el cheque era falso. Para entonces, el estafador ya tiene el dinero que le enviaste y tú estás obligado a pagarle al banco.

Durante los últimos años, ha aumentado sostenidamente la cantidad de estafas de cheques falsos reportadas a la FTC, y también ha aumentado el monto de las pérdidas en dólares. En el Dato destacado más reciente sobre este tema titulado Don’t bank on a “cleared” check, en inglés, la FTC reporta que, tan sólo en 2019, los consumidores perdieron más de $28 millones de dólares con las estafas de cheques falsos. La pérdida promedio reportada fue de $1,988. Ese monto representa más de seis veces la pérdida promedio en todos los fraudes monitoreados por la FTC. Además, los reportes sobre estafas de cheques falsos indican un incremento del 65% con respecto a los niveles de 2015. La FTC descubrió que los consumidores especialmente afectados son los más jóvenes. En 2019, los veinteañeros presentaron el doble de probabilidades de reportar pérdidas de dinero con una estafa de cheque falso en comparación con las personas mayores de 30 años.

¿Quieres aprender más? Visita ftc.gov/chequesfalsos.

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Puede que usemos rutinariamente dichos registros cómo se describe en el sistema de avisos publicados. Para más detalles sobre qué hace la FTC con la información personal que recolectamos, por favor lea nuestra política de privacidad.

El propósito de este blog y su sección de comentarios es informar a los lectores acerca de la actividad de la Comisión Federal de Comercio (FTC) y compartir información con los lectores para ayudarlos a evitar, reportar y recuperarse del fraude, las estafas y las malas prácticas comerciales. Valoramos sus opiniones, ideas e inquietudes y alentamos los comentarios. Pero tenga presente que este es un blog que está bajo moderación. Revisamos todos los comentarios antes de publicarlos y no publicaremos comentarios que no cumplan con nuestra política de comentarios. Esperamos que los comentaristas traten a los redactores del blog y entre sí con respeto.

  • No publicaremos comentarios fuera de tema, comentarios idénticos y repetidos, ni ningún comentario que incluya promociones de venta.
  • No publicaremos comentarios que incluyan mensajes vulgares, ataques personales que mencionen nombres, o términos ofensivos dirigidos contra personas o grupos específicos.
  • No publicaremos amenazas, declaraciones difamatorias, ni sugerencias que alienten actividades ilegales.
  • No publicaremos comentarios que incluyan información personal, como números de Seguro Social, números de cuentas, domicilios residenciales y de email. Para presentar un reporte detallado sobre una estafa, visite ReporteFraude.ftc.gov.

No editamos los comentarios para eliminar el contenido objetable, así que asegúrese de que su comentario no contenga ninguno de los contenidos mencionados anteriormente. Los comentarios publicados en este blog pasarán a ser de dominio público. Para proteger su privacidad y la de otras personas, por favor, no incluya información personal. Las opiniones de los comentarios publicados en este blog pertenecen exclusivamente a los individuos que las expresan. No pertenecen a la Comisión Federal de Comercio (FTC) ni representan sus puntos de vista.

JN211923
February 10, 2020
Can my bank make me responsible for the money lost? I am on Social Security that does not even cover my utility bills in rent. No I’m having to pay back $2500 to my bank.
FTC Staff
February 13, 2020

En respuesta a por JN211923

You are responsible for the checks you deposit and cash. Scammers know that, by law, banks have to make the funds you deposit available quickly, usually within a few days. That's why they urge you to deposit the check and send them money immediately, before the bank learns the check is bad. 

When the bank finds out the check is bad, the bank tells you to repay the money you took. You can talk with people at the bank about the scam. Show them any letters or messages you got from the scammer. Explain that you are a victim of a scam. You can explain your finances and ask them to work with you on a solution.

Inkster
February 10, 2020
I was recently sent a cashier's check in the amount of 2800.00. I was instructed to deposit it, then go to Wal-Mart and act like a secret shopper. In return, they wanted me to purchase a $50 item 6 Wal-Mart gift cards. I was instructed to take pictures of the gift cards and send to them showing I completed my assignment. ( I have done nothing, I am not going to deposit their check. Thought I'd pass the story on.)
neo
March 17, 2020

En respuesta a por Chell KS

Me too but my check was for 1900 from Marketforce. Are they scammers?
Blessed7
February 25, 2020

En respuesta a por Inkster

I also Just received a check in the mail as well as my husband, for $2600. It had the name of A corrective eye company in Ohio posted on the address label. We called them to warn them. My husband is on his way to the police station with all of the evidence now. If we dont destroy it maybe they can get a lead off of it, and stop some of these scams.
Just me
March 02, 2020

En respuesta a por Inkster

I also received a "Cashiers Check" with a letter saying to go to walmart and get gift cards etc. comes from David Archibald in Goldsboro NC , the check is from Comerica Bank...SCAM all the way
Don't use your…
February 10, 2020
How about mentioning USPS money orders.I have 3 of them and I knew they were a scam and I never cashed them but still have them.
Conniesan
February 10, 2020
Years ago, received a check from an out of state company for $1,000. Did not cash it, notified the owner of the business which was listed on the check about the deception. He was grateful as his business would be impacted with the fraud check.
Dick on da cape
February 10, 2020
Two years ago I was involved in an ?obvious? check scam scheme resulting from a 'Craigs List' furniture offering I had posted. I say "obvious" because the check I ultimately received was excellent in terms of visual authenticity; drawn on a major US accounting firm. More realistic was the fact that it had arrived as an overnight Fed-ex delivery. The ultimate tip-off for me was that a corporate check was paying for a personal purchase; also the emails originated from a non-US source. I did take some satisfaction in that I had at least cost them some time and Fed-Ex mailing expense. Come to find out that these guys fraudulently used a Texas company's Fed-EX account and charged them the shipping cost. These people are professional, brilliant and organized. And I sense that they have gotten even better at it!
Mississippi Tr…
February 10, 2020
Interesting that I was sent a text message from an unknown number. It explained that I had been selected to participate as a secret shopper. I was to watch for an expedited mail parcel which would include instructions for my initial assignment. Well, I received the priority package today. It included a Official Check drawn on Spire Credit Union in the amount of $2,940. I’m to deposit it into my personal account, withdraw $540 as my salary. Next I’m to go get o the nearest Walmart to purchase 6 $400 Kroger gift cards. Then I need to complete some survey questions and email them to someone entirely different than the individual who has contacted me. Now I’m to keep the gift cards in a safe place so that I can use them on my next shopping assignment. Wow!!
Relative
February 10, 2020
This is the exact description of what happened to my brother, except the amount was for $1100 and unfortunately my brother followed through with the scammer's request when the scammer posed as his father-in-law describing a financial emergency. So of course my brother was out the $1100. This is a scam!! Don't fall for it.
Pamsbaby
February 11, 2020
Yes I received a check for 2100.00 They wanted me to cash it. Go to Western Union wire them $1200.00 To one person and 500.00 to another and I keep the rest . Big time scam
Lynki
February 10, 2020
I received a check in the mail for some rims I was selling. The buyer was out of state. I got the check, and called the company that was on the check to let the "buyer" know that I had gotten the check, and I was going to cash it. I am so glad I did that- the receptionist told me that the check was not good, and that there was no such person at the company with the "buyers" name.
Winter Texan E…
February 16, 2020
What should I do if I just got the check in the mail today. Obviously it’s a scam, but should I send it back to them or just destroy it and tell the person who keeps texting me (and can’t spell, big tip off), to stop bothering me? Who do I report them to? I’m glad I researched it before being scammed, but I’d like to know how best to handle it.
FTC Staff
February 18, 2020

En respuesta a por Winter Texan E…

Some people destroy the bad checks, some people give the checks and envelopes to their local post office (if the mail came by US Postal service).

You can report to the FTC at www.FTC.gov/Complaint. The information you give goes into a secure database that the FTC and other law enforcement agencies use for investigations.

Kponts
February 20, 2020
Absolutely called company sent me a check and I clearly stated to them that I will not be cashing anything and for them not to contact me. I actually told that before they sent it. I reported it here and now the so called company is threatening to sue me. Can they do that for not participating in the scam?
NMP
June 04, 2020
I received a text asking if I’d be interested in being paid $500/week to put Mountain Dew decals on my truck! I said yes and a week later I have a check for $2,950. The “company” keeps texting me asking if I have deposited this check yet, emailing me the confirmed delivery of the UPS package and asking for a screenshot of deposit immediately after I deposit this check. I’m not an idiot and keep playing with the scammer. I told them I was going to use it to open a separate account just for this “side job” and they replied “Are you kidding me” lol
ScanLikleyNumb…
June 04, 2020
+12672587861 This number has recently called me and left me a voicemail in terms of getting me to receive a check. It was already labeled as a 'scam likely' so I didn't pick up.
Gigi
July 15, 2020
I just received an official looking letter with a real-looking cashier's check for $2620. They wanted me to be a secret shopper at Walmart and send them all but $500 back after buying moneys for the rest. I was supposed to report how people treated me too, but that wasn't their top concern. If it had been buying other things, I might have fallen for it. I AM a secret shopper! I make money doing that. Secret shopping is a REAL thing. But, this didn't sound right, so I came here to check it out. I was right. It says in the letter that I am to FIRST deposit the money and THEN text a number: 352-900-1336 and let the rep know that I deposited it. Now, I found out that the check WOULD have cleared the bank and given me the money! But...I would have had to pay it back in a few days when they found it to be FAKE. There's a warning in the letter: "There is a tracking detail for every feedback agent. IF upon receipt of this envelope you delay in texting or sending an email confirming you received your package then a phone call will be put through to you and a follow up visit to your address on file by our TASK FORCE Team to retrieve the envelope." Oh, it and says that I would qualify for an extra $300 bonus if I did all of this within 48 hours. Wow! Scammers are evil.
Sad
September 22, 2021
This is the number that started my scams from a employment opportunity supposedly Hennepin Healthcare. They will send a check to buy office equipment for you to deposit. +1 (630) 686-1072
Cody
November 16, 2021
What do I do if they asked me to pay some other person but I didn’t do it yet
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