State Treasurer issues check scam alert

Includes letter falsely signed by Secretary of State

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 13, 2016) — State Treasurer Allison Ball today initiated an alert on a check fraud scam that seeks to steal the identity of Kentuckians.

The scam is designed to get the check recipient to give away their personal information. The scam goes as follows:

• The check is mailed (with a certain level of official appearance)
• The check recipient attempts to deposit/cash the check
• The check is rejected
• The check recipient (victim) emails the contact on the “Instruction Letter” excited to get their money
• The scammers explain it is not a problem and request bank account information to complete the money transfer
• The scammer then has the victim’s account and name information to use for further illicit gain

The letter is signed “Mrs. Alison Lundergran Grimes” and calls her the “Finance Manager.” Ball said the Secretary of State’s Office has been notified of the scam.

“This is a very sophisticated scam. These fake checks have continued to come in,” Ball said. “My office doesn’t tolerate people writing fake checks to prey on the good nature of Kentuckians. I hope the Attorney General’s Office works hard to swiftly and quickly prosecute those responsible.”