Student Tribune

Beware of Recent Scams

We have been made aware that criminals have been canvassing individuals locally whom they know at school or work, and contacting them with the phrase, "If you have a bank card and would you like to make some quick cash, please contact me." There are several variations to the fraud, but the following is a common one:

The scam works like this.....

The suspect agrees to pay the victim a pre-determined "transaction fee" for a check deposit into the victim's account. The card and pin are then given to the suspect who deposits forged checks into the victim's bank account via ATM. The suspect then withdraws real cash from the ATM using the pin and card, ultimately defrauding the bank. Rarely, if ever, does the victim receive any compensation from the suspect, or is their card ever returned to them. The victims in this case are both the bank and person whose card was used.

Often, there is an additional step to this scam, in which the victim is then coached by the suspect to tell bank representatives and local law enforcement that their card was lost or stolen in the hopes that they will be reimbursed for their loss. In this step, the victim then becomes a co-conspirator in the bank fraud.

If you are approached by someone regarding an offer like this, do not give them access to your bank account or your PIN number, and contact Public Safety at 292-2911.

Perez, Tony
Chief of Public Safety
01/28/2020