Check scam strikes county

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

The Bland County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of a check cashing scam making the rounds. It is investigating several reports including one in which a local resident lost money.
According to Sgt. Lorin Hanshew, several checks from a Canadian account have been sent to county residents. The amounts range to $5,000.
Hanshew said the recipient is asked to cash the check and return a percentage of it to the sender through a money gram. The catch, he stated, is that the check comes back because the account closes leaving the cashier responsible for the total amount plus bank fees.
“We had two residents follow through on it,” Hanshew noted. “A couple of others have reported getting the checks. People need to watch out for it. Nobody sends you anything for nothing.”
He pointed out the money goes through an address in Canada to another unknown destination.
“It’s no telling where the money is going or what it’s being used for,” Hanshew remarked. “It could be going to a terrorist group or who knows what.”
Hanshew has contacted the state attorney general’s office about the scam. He also reported it to the Secret Service in Roanoke.
“The Secret Service told me that once the money leaves the United States it can’t be traced,” Hanshew stated.
Anyone who receives such a check or has more questions should contact the Sheriff’s Office at 688-4311.
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 1-800-655-1406 or .