November 28, 2024 – Sonora Police Department officials report that they have become aware of another type of check deposit scam that you should be aware of.

In this situation, a scammer mails a large valued check from a known entity made out to the intended victim. The check comes with instructions to deposit it immediately; send a copy of the deposit slip to the unnamed scammer via email or phone number, and let the scammer know when the funds will be available for withdrawal. In exchange for this "payment," the intended victim is asked to install a decal logo for the company on their vehicle. An additional weekly payment is also promised for as long as the logo is displayed on the vehicle. The represented company is frequently real, but the checks are not legitimate. Instances of this scam have been happening in other states as well.

Check deposit scams are becoming very common. The hook is a promise to victims that they will be able to keep a percentage of the money. After depositing the check, the scammer urges the victim to forward a large portion of the deposited amount to a separate bank account or credit union. Once the victim's bank realizes the check is fake, the deposit is reversed, holding the depositor at a loss for the total amount.

Scammers are out in full force for the holiday season, so remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

• Be skeptical

• Don't give out private information

• Research the represented company and call or visit in person to verify their offer or request

• Monitor your account activity

Call us or your local law enforcement agency if you think you are being scammed.

Source & photo: Sonora Police Department

Related Scam News:

Stanislaus County Woman Tricked by a Scam Email Posing as Customer Service, Suspect Arrested Attempting to Collect Additional $30,000

Modoc County Sheriff Issues Phone Scam Alert - Caller Impersonates a Sergeant Requesting Payment of Fines

Tuolumne County Sheriff Issues Scam Alert - Caller Impersonates an Officer, Attorney, or Bail Bondsman Asking for Money to Help a Relative in Trouble

Scam Warning - Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office Will Never Call Asking You to Pay Money for Failure to Appear

Car Buying Scam Suspect Arrested in Oklahoma and Returned to Placer County for Prosecution, Two Others Remain Outstanding

Kern County Sheriff Issues Scam Alert – Law Enforcement Never Demands Payment Over the Phone

Merced County Issues a Scam Alert - Individuals are Impersonating FEMA Representatives in the Planada Area

Nevada County Sheriff Issues Scam Notice - Law Enforcement Will Never Call to Ask for Money for Any Reason

Madera County Sheriff Issues Phone Scam Alert – Caller Impersonating a Sergeant, Never Give Out Personal Information

Plumas County Sheriff Issues Scam Alert – Never Pay to Collect a Prize, Sweepstakes Check, or Lottery Winnings

Monterey County Sheriff's Office Reports $97,000 Lost & Suspect Arrested in a Fraud Scam Targeting Senior Citizens

Tuolumne County Sheriff Issues Scam Alert - Caller Claims to be Law Enforcement, Attempts to Obtain Personal Information

Los Angeles County Sheriff Issues Scam Alert – Scammers Use Spoofing Apps, Sheriff Never Asks for Payment Over the Phone

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Issues Scam Alert - Computer Pop-Ups Say System Compromised, Advise Calling Number to Prevent Loss

El Dorado County Sheriff Issues Scam Alert – Beware of Online Scams Targeting Social Media Accounts

Madera County Sheriff’s Office Announces a Phone Scam Alert - Caller Impersonating Sheriff’s Detective Regarding Outstanding Warrants

Fresno County Sheriff's Office Warns of Latest Scam - Random Phone Calls to Citizens Where the Caller Identifies Himself as a Deputy With the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office

Placer County Sheriff Issues Public Service Announcement to Beware of Bitcoin Scams

Nevada County Sheriff Issues Scam Alert – Offering Helpful Tips to Help You Avoid Falling Victim to Scams

Los Angeles County Sheriff Announces National Slam the Scam Day – Be Aware of Social Security Scams

Ventura County Sheriff Issues Phone Scam Alert – Scammers Using False “Missed Jury Duty” Summons Notifications

Grass Valley Police Issue Scam Alert - Law Enforcement Will Never Call You to Ask for Money

Placer County Sheriff Issues a Public Service Announcement on Car Buying Scam

Los Angeles County Sheriff Issues Warning on Latest Phone Scam of Thieves Using Spoofing Apps

Kern County Sheriff Issues Scam Alert - Callers Use Spoofing Apps Appearing to Call from the Sheriff's Office

Fresno County Sheriff Issues Scam Alert - Stay Aware of Phone Scammers

Kern County Sheriff Issues Phone Scam Alert - Caller Asks for Payment for Missing a Grand Jury Duty Subpoena

Mono County Sheriff Issues a Warning on a Phishing Scam Message That’s on the Rise

Los Angeles County Sheriff Issues Warning on Latest Phone Scam - Fake Internal Revenue Service Texts

Orange County, California Sheriff Issues Scam Warning - Learn How to Spot Email Phishing Scams

Small Businesses Targeted with Gift Card Scam for “Failure” to Repay PPP Loans, Placer County Sheriff Reports

Fresno County Sheriff Issues Scam Alert - Inspect Gift Cards BEFORE You Purchase & Leave the Store

Sacramento County Suspect Arrested in Scam with Over 5,000 Gift Cards from Target and Apple in his Possession

Tuolumne County Sheriff Issues a Reminder to Protect Yourself from Holiday Phone and Mail Scams

Kern County Sheriff Issues Phone Scam Alert - Sheriff’s Office Will Never Ask for Payment Over the Phone

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Issues Warning on Current Phone Scam - Deputies Never Ask for Payment Over the Phone

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Issues Warning on Current Phone Scam - Warrants are Never Paid with Debit or Gift Cards

Madera County Sheriff Issues Phone Scam Warning - Outstanding Warrant Fees are Never Paid Over the Phone

Tulare County Sheriff Issues Warning on Recent Phone Scam - Man is Impersonating Deputy Over the Phone Again

Merced County Sheriff Issues Warning on Latest Phone Scam - Arrest Warrants are Never Paid Over the Phone

Ventura County Sheriff Issues Warning on Latest Phone Scam - Warrant Fees are Never Paid Over the Phone

Stanislaus County Sheriff Issues Phone Scam Warning - Never Give Personal or Banking Information Over the Phone

Placer County Sheriff Issues Phone Scam Alert After Victim Lost $20,000 in Computer Virus Scam

Tuolumne County Sheriff Issues Phone Scam Warning - Never Give Personal or Banking Information Over the Phone

Madera County Sheriff Issues Phone Scam Warning - Never Give Personal or Banking Information Over the Phone

Tulare County Sheriff Issues Warning on Latest Phone Scam - Never Pay Fines or Give Banking Information Over the Phone

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Issues Warning on Latest Phone Scam - Warrant Fees are Never Paid Over the Phone

Tulare County Sheriff Issues Warning on Latest Phone Scam - Never Pay Fines or Give Banking Information Over the Phone