My Writeup: Check Scam - Please read

Recently when I went to deposit a check at my Bank I found a leaflet saying "Don't be a victim of a check scam!" I was taken aback since I was not aware completely of how this works. So I grabbed the leaflet and drove to work. Later that day, I read it and understood it. 

Here is a gist of this leaflet.

How it occurs:

If someone sends a check or money order and asks you to deposit it in your account and wire-transfer the  money minus some bonus or incentive for your help, ensure you refuse to do it no matter how lucrative the offer is. If you do not know the person, DON'T DO IT.

Here is how the scam happens:

Requests can come in various forms:

1. Say you are over paid by someone for an item you sold on the internet and are asked to wire transfer the extra money back.
2. You might get a check saying you won a lottery overseas. You are asked to deposit a check and wire transfer a portion of the deposited amount as a tax or fees, so that the remaining earning would be mailed to you.
3. Some one would email you saying they have inherited wealth and would need your help to get it and so on.

Here is why its a scam:

1. The check or money order you get would be a counterfeit. 
2. Counterfeit checks and money orders will be returned to your bank and the amount will be deducted from your account since you are responsible for any check or money order you deposit that turns out to be unpaid for any reason.
3. Law requires banks to make deposited funds to be made available within 1-5 days. 
4. Ability to withdraw cash from your account does not mean the check/money order is valid.
5. It can be weeks before a check or money order is discovered to be counterfeit and returned unpaid to your bank.
6. Bank employees may not be able to determine the validity of a check during deposit. They simple process the financial document.

Here is a link for more info - http://fakechecks.org/

This reminds about what my dad used to tell me, never be greedy, what you earn from hard work and sincerity is what would stay. A quick run to make some money could undo all the good deeds you have done. So be wise folks.