Historic settlement for over 1,300 survivors of clergy and adult abuse within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, marking a pivotal moment for justice.
September 27, 2019
Recent reports of false checks issued by suspicious third parties using the Waters & Kraus name alarmed our firm. We do not issue these types of checks or any kind of reimbursement installation checks. We are monitoring the situation and wish to strongly warn potential victims against this money scam and encourage them to report it to authorities.
Fake check scams have become increasingly common. (See this “Anatomy of a Fake Check Scam” from the FTC). In them, victims receive counterfeit checks in the mail that claim to have been issued as compensation for an offer, service, benefit, or even a settlement. Recipients are asked to deposit the check in their local bank. Scammers often pressure the unsuspecting victim to make the deposit quickly. Then the recipient must immediately spend or wire some of the newly available money and keep the rest as a prize or compensation. However, the fraudulent checks are returned to the bank as counterfeit or fake within a few days, leaving the recipient liable for funds they have already spent.
If you have received one of these fraudulent checks, contact the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, or state Attorney General or consumer protection office. Visit www.naag.org for a list of state Attorneys General. If you are unsure if a check is fraudulent, call the issuing bank and your own bank to verify the account and availability of funds. Remember, if someone you don’t know sends you an unexpected check and asks you to send some of the money to another person you don’t know: It’s a scam.
Here are some common forms of the fake check scam:
Scammers are involved in many different practices to try and obtain sensitive information from and take advantage of everyday people. Avoid these dangerous types of scams by adhering to common sense privacy guidelines:
When you receive any type of request for information or action that you think might be fraudulent—whether via mail, phone, or online—remember to adhere to these guidelines, and always be extremely vigilant.
About Waters & Kraus, LLP
With a national presence and a wealth of experience representing clients, Waters & Kraus spends each day battling corporate giants on behalf of individuals. We aggressively fight those responsible for personal injury and wrongful death caused by corporate wrongdoing and fraud committed against the government. To learn more about legal representation at Waters & Kraus, or to have one of our attorneys review your potential case, complete our inquiry form or call us at 800.226.9880.
Our Results
Historic settlement for over 1,300 survivors of clergy and adult abuse within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, marking a pivotal moment for justice.
A Philadelphia jury awarded a record verdict against ExxonMobil for failing to warn about cancer risks due to benzene in its petroleum products.
Confidential settlement for the wife of a Rhode Island man who died of mesothelioma cancer after exposure to window glazing compound contaminated with asbestos.