kathyfit’s BodyBlog

I received an email stating that I was chosen to model for a catalog.  I was to model 12 outfits and I could bring anybody I wanted with me to the shoot.  The pay was $1200 and better yet, they would find a local studio for the shoot so I wouldn’t have to travel.  This sounded like something that I would do…

I got as much info as I could and then they sent me a check for $2900.  After I received this check, I was to keep $500 of it as a deposit for my sevices and wire the remaining to the studio for their deposit. 

Well, the description of this fit an article in Reader’s Digest about check fraud.  Once a fraudulent check is cashed or deposited in your account, YOU are responsible for those funds.  I turned the check into the Bank of America to find out if it was a fraudulent check.  Sure enough, it was. 

I have received four other emails exactly like this one, word for word, sent by different parties since then. 

If anybody asks you to wire money to an unknown recipient, from a check they sent you, DON’T DO IT!!  Have the check inspected by the bank first to guarantee it scans ok.