Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– A bank teller may helped a resident avoid falling victim to a lottery scam last week.
Officer Hoskins was dispatched to the Park Forest Police Department on February 4 to investigate a report of fraud. A resident reported receiving a letter allegedly sent by Publishers Clearing House indicating that she had won $1 million. A certified check in the amount of $5935 was also attached to the letter. The certified check was allegedly issued to cover any outstanding fees that were not paid by the company.
The resident attempted to deposit the check into her account at Chase Bank, but was advised that the check was not valid, according to police.
Officer Hoskins spoke with the vice president of a bank in Peoria, Illinois, who related that the check and the company that issued the check is not valid. She went on to say that her bank has received a lot of fraudulent checks from the above company and a report was already filed with the Bartonville Police Department. She further related that “scammed” occurs when the representative contacts the victim and has them send a personal check to some unknown address claiming there are prize fees that the victim needs to pay up-front before the million dollar prize is to be awarded. This is all arranged before the fraudulent check clears through the bank process, according to police.