Cumberland County Sheriff Casey Cox Issues Warning About Check Overpayment Scams

Cumberland County Sheriff Casey Cox is warning the public about a check overpayment scam.  The scams work like this: Someone responds to your posting or ad, and offers to use a cashier’s check, personal check or corporate check to pay for the item you’re selling. At the last minute, the so-called buyer (or the buyer’s “agent”) comes up with a reason for writing the check for more than the purchase price, and asks you to wire back or purchase Bitcoin to send the difference after you deposit the check. You deposit the check and wire the funds back to the “buyers.” Later, the check bounces, leaving you liable for the entire amount.  Sheriff Cox is warning everyone to know who you’re dealing with. In any transaction, independently confirm the buyer’s name, street address, and telephone number. Don’t accept a check for more than your selling price, no matter how tempting. Ask the buyer to write the check for the correct amount. If the buyer refuses to send the correct amount, return the check. Don’t send the merchandise. Bottom line, if it sounds to good to be true, it is.