Attorney General's News Release

July 16, 2007

Nixon warns of scam using bogus State of Missouri checks

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon wants consumers to be on the lookout for strangers sending them checks in the mail that appear to come from the State of Missouri. Nixon says numerous consumers from across the country have attempted to cash checks sent to them, apparently drawn on the accounts of various state agencies.

In what Nixon calls a typical overpayment scam, a con artist mails a check to a consumer, then asks the consumer to cash the check and wire some of the money to back to the con artist. The mailing supposedly comes from an international businessman who says he’s having trouble cashing U.S. checks. Consumers say many of the checks are written supposedly on the account of the Missouri Division of Medical Services, and they arrive via UPS from Canada.

Consumers who fall for the scam will wire money to the con artist, only to find that the check supposedly from the State of Missouri has bounced.

“Consumers need to be extremely suspicious of any stranger who approaches them with a business proposition,’ Nixon said. “Even more of a red flag is any proposal from a stranger that involves cashing a check or wiring money. Wire transfer is one of the most popular methods of payment among con artists.’

The State Treasurer’s office says it has received and rejected nearly $150,000 worth of these checks.

Consumers who see a suspicious check or suspect a scam should call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222 or go online at ago.mo.gov.

Take the Attorney General's "Name That Scam" quiz

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818