Beware of Check Scam

Written By Town Hall

A resident has recently received one of these, and the following is from my online research, but of course you should do your own research as well:

“Unsolicited checks from an entity named "Fidelity Capital" or similar variations that you were not expecting are almost always part of a fake check scam.

The major financial company Fidelity Investments (FMR LLC) is legitimate, but scammers frequently use variations of recognizable names like "Fidelity Capital" or "Fidelity Capital Financial Services" to trick people into depositing fraudulent drafts.

Red Flags to Consider

  • You weren't expecting it: Real financial firms or legitimate business partners do not mail out unexpected large checks out of nowhere.

  • The "Clear vs. Real" trap: If you deposit a fake check, your bank might make the funds available in a few days. This does not mean the check is real. Banks are required by law to make funds available quickly, but it can take weeks for the banking system to realize a check is counterfeit. Once it bounces, you are legally responsible for the entire amount withdrawn or spent.

  • The catch/instructions: Scammers usually follow up by asking you to wire a portion of the money back, buy gift cards, or pay a "fee" or "tax" to claim a larger sum.

  • What You Should Do

    • Do not deposit or cash the check.

    • Do not call any phone numbers printed on the check or the accompanying letter, as those connect straight to the scammers.

    • If you received a fake check scam in Vermont, you should report it to both state and federal authorities to help track down the scammers and protect others.

      Here are the specific organizations you should file a complaint with:

      1. State Authorities (Vermont-Specific)

      • Vermont Consumer Assistance Program (CAP): This is your primary local resource. CAP is run by the Vermont Attorney General’s Office and UVM. You can file an online complaint at the Vermont CAP Website or call their hotline at (800) 649-2424.

      • Vermont Attorney General's Office: You can report mail fraud directly through the Vermont Attorney General Contact Page.

      2. Federal Authorities

      • The Federal Trade Commission (FTC): The FTC tracks scams nationwide. Report the check at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

      • U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS): Because the fake check was sent to you via the mail, it constitutes mail fraud—a serious federal crime. You can submit a mail fraud complaint at the USPIS Reporting Portal.

      • The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): If the scammer first contacted you online, through social media, or via email before sending the check, file a report with the FBI's online division at IC3.gov. “

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