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February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
April 12, 2007
/ 10 Nissan, 5767
Too wise to fall for a scam
By
Vicki Lee Parker
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | (MCT)
Last year, Rebecca Antonelli Custer tried to sell her daughter's 1993 Infinity on Craigslist, a free online classified advertising service.
Her asking price was $1,000. Most of the responses asked for more details about the car, but one eager buyer offered to send a certified check right away.
Custer agreed to accept $900. Within a day or so, a check arrived in a FedEx package - for $2,500.
The man e-mailed Custer, asking her to deposit the check in the bank immediately and explaining that she should give the extra $1,600 to a shipper who would pick it up.
The check was drawn on a Bank of America account. At first glance, it looked legitimate, Custer said.
But she noticed a few things that made her suspicious. There wasn't a perforated edge like the one you usually see on certified checks that have multiple copies. She also noticed that the numbers written on the check were not embossed - another common feature of a certified check.
Custer put the check aside and waited to see whether the man would contact her again. He did several times, and with each e-mail message, he became more impatient.
Then he started calling Custer at home. He apparently got her number from her e-mail tagline. She finally told him that she was going to call the police, and he stopped contacting her.
"He kept trying to convince me everything was legitimate," said Custer, the owner of TrianglePR, a Raleigh, N.C., public relations firm. "But I had read enough about Internet scams; I thought it was a scam."
Custer was wise to be cautious. According to the North Carolina Attorney General's Office, counterfeit check scams appear to be on the rise.
The scam artists respond to people who have posted items for sale on legitimate Web sites such as eBay and Craigslist. Then they offer to buy an item and send a certified check for more than the purchase price. The seller is asked to deposit the check and wire back the difference. Consumers who cash the check and wire the money find out later that the check was fake.
This scam can cause even more problems, as San Francisco resident Matthew Shinnick found out last year. Shinnick tried to cash a check he received from a buyer on Craigslist at Bank of America. He was arrested when the check was found to be fraudulent.
The charges were eventually dropped and his record expunged. But not before Shinnick racked up $14,000 in legal fees. Bank of America has apologized for the incident but so far has refused to pay Shinnick's legal fees.
"That could have easily been me," Custer said.
That could easily have been any of us.
I called Bank of America to find out what consumers should do if they think they have received a bogus check.
Michael Chee, a spokesman for the Charlotte, N.C., bank, said:
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Do not sign or endorse a check you think is bogus.
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Call the bank's customer representative and explain exactly why you have concerns about the check. The representative can take the checking account number and the routing number and verify the check.
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If you decide to go to the bank in person, do not take the check to a teller. Instead, ask to speak directly with a bank manager and explain how the check came into your possession and why you suspect that it's fraudulent.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Vicki Lee Parker is a columnist for The News & Observer. Comment by clicking here.
Previously:
Untethering cell phone from carrier
Re-check your credit card rewards
Treasure might be buried in medical bills
Tax-time saving tip: Free filing is available
College money is waiting; don't procrastinate
Extended warranties rarely worthwhile
Too busy for tax planning? It'll cost you
© 2007, The News & Observer Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
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