Washington Mutual--fake checks-BEWARE!!!

rzarbo

A rash of bad checks are being passed using the name "Washington Mutual" "Official Bank" check.They are bogus.Washington mutual will not honor them.Even if it is a certified bank check from them they wont honor it.I got burnt for $3600.00 on a UPS,C.O.D. order.Beware!!!!!!I also had UPS insurance which they say is invalid because they delivered it to the address i listed,not the person or even the same name as i listed on the package , just the address.

DaRoosta

Thanks for the advice. I have a couple personal Washington Mutual accounts and most people in my area seem to use it, too. I never even think about that kind of stuff. Anything specific to look for other than the "Official Bank" part?

admin

With the advent of modern color lasers and copiers and the easy availability of check stock it is unfortunately pretty simple to forge checks and money orders. I had a buddy that used to put his checks to be mailed in his mailbox and then flip up the flag so the mailman would pick them up. One day someone lifted the mail from his mailbox. The perp used solvent to erase the pen ink on the check and then wrote the checks to cash and various merchants. It took him a long time to get this straightened out with all of the merchants.Most money orders and certified checks are no more 'safe' than a personal check. Most money orders can be canceled. If you read the fine print on the back they tell you that they are no guarantee that you will get paid. You should either verify the money order / certified check with the issuing bank (there is usually a phone number on them) or hold it until it clears.The only money order we have not heard of problems with is the US Post Office Money Order. Since the Post Office has their own investigative team that is one of the larger in the US, we feel more secure about US Post Office Money Orders.

rzarbo

This check looked perfect.Even had water mark.The bank rep himself said it was good-ninety days later the federal reserve sent it back as fake.They told me you can ask the person sending the check to first send check number and you can varify funds at that time.But as the other gentle man said they can simply stop payment,if they insisted on C.O.D. thats the first tip off.They can get product and then stop payment while UPS is holding your check.Postal is best because it makes it federal.