Fake check scams involve someone you don't know offering to send you a large sum of money but requesting that you wire or send a portion of the money back. Fall for this scam and you could be out thousands of dollars. By cashing the check, you'll be responsible for repayment once the check bounces.

The National Consumers League (NCL), a consumer advocacy group in Washington, D.C. provides these schemes to be on guard against:

• Overpayment schemes. Crooks offer to write a check for more than the purchase price for items you've advertised in your classified or online auction posting.
• Foreign lottery schemes. Crooks send a letter claiming you've won and a check for part of your winnings, but they ask you to pay "taxes" or other fees to get the rest of the money.
• Working-from-home schemes. Scammers send e-mails asking you to work from home as an "account manager" processing payments. They then dupe you into depositing fake checks and sending them real cash.
• Foreign-business-offer schemes. Con artists ask you to help move a fortune to the U.S. for safekeeping. They send you a check but tell you they need money from you to transfer the funds.
• Rental schemes. Scammers falsely claim to be moving to the area, give the landlord a check for rental deposit, then claim they have unexpected expenses and ask for some of their deposit back. They never move in, and the check doesn't clear.
• Love-of-your-life schemes. You meet that perfect person through an online chat room or dating site, but he or she needs you to cash a check and send the money so you can meet.

Tips for Personal Check Safety

• Store your checks, deposit slips, account statements and canceled checks in a secure, locked location. Unless needed for tax purposes, cross-cut shred canceled checks and statements.
• Don't carry your checkbook with you unless you need it.
• Reconcile your bank statement promptly so you can detect any irregularities and report them within required time limits. Otherwise, you may become liable for any losses due to check fraud.
• If you have online banking, monitor your account every few days to detect fraud sooner.
• Don't mail bills from your unlocked mailbox. Take them to the post office.
• Do not have your Social Security, driver's license, or telephone numbers printed on your checks.
• When you write a check, don't leave blank spaces on the payee and amount lines.
• Never endorse a check until you're ready to cash or deposit it.

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