Counterfeit Money Orders Alert This is a specially written report for replica website owners. Recently, some owners have been receiving counterfeit and fraudulent checks and money orders. Many of them have been forwarded to Replica Center and we aim to assist in combatting fraudulent customers who are committing an extremely serious crime... probably more serious than they are probably expecting.
Background Replica Center has been receiving many reports from replica dealers lately about counterfeit and fraudulent checks which are altered or forged. These reports have gone unnoticed until lately, when we decided to start fighting back against bad consumers. Usually, forged checks are used for mail-in or COD (Credit on Delivery) orders. Counterfeit and fraudulent checks, when used to purchase items by mail, is considered mail fraud. If the item is purchased in a state different from the consumer's own state, it is considered mail fraud across state lines - a federal offense and is a felony. In addition, counterfeiting checks is an extremely serious crime and the government, financial institutions, and issuing companies do not take such crimes lightly. Doing so would damage the integrity of our financial systems. Banks and large issuing companies such as Western Union are especially diligent in prosecuting such individuals, because it scares away legitimate consumers from using their systems. Remember: when a customer gives a forged, altered, or stolen check to the courier for a COD purchase, they are not only defrauding you; they are also defrauding the issuing company (Citibank, Western Union, USPS, etc.), the Government (who ensures the integrity of our financial systems), and the courier (who receives their shipping fees from the cashed checks). There are many, many people who want fight this kind of fraud other than you.
What To Do if Defrauded If you are a replica dealer (or any web site owner in general) and you receive forged or altered checks which bounce on your bank account, forward all relevent information immediately to fraud@replicacenter.com. Do NOT discard these materials! It is crucial evidence, so please forward the customer's shipping information to us as well, because we have a small database of known counterfeiters whom we are assisting authorities in prosecuting. When in doubt, forward a copy of the check to us. For your privacy, you can blur out the name that the check is Payable to. We only need the information of the forged check as well as the information on where the product was delivered. Basically, the information you send us is crucial evidence in ensuring prosecution against criminals who defraud our country's financial systems. With the following evidence, it is almost a guarantee that the individuals will be arrested and prosecuted almost immediately:
What We Do We are currently working with several local field FBI offices in building serious criminal cases against check counterfeiters. This white collar crime cannot be tolerated, or the integrity of our financial system can be permanently damaged. Field offices we are currently dealing with include offices in Florida and Hawaii. If you have received any counterfeit checks from these 2 states, please forward them IMMEDIATELY to fraud@replicacenter.com and we will assist you in dealing with the counterfeiters. Our efforts have already paid off against a few counterfeiters, namely in the Boulder, Colorado area. Cases are pending and are going to go to trial shortly against these counterfeiters, and we have been indeed credited with doing most of the information-gathering work. Without the copies of the checks and the shipping information of the customers, local police offices in Colorado would not have been able to trace down the counterfeiters. And without your help, we would not have been able to gather the information. One specific organization we have worked loosely with is the National Check Fraud Center. You can find their website at http://www.ckfraud.org. They offer many tips for web site owners to avoid fraudulent checks.
What You Get Out of It Honestly, nothing. The money will most likely never be recovered. But if you are like the other replica dealers who have forwarded us information, you will probably take the time out of your day to assist in prosecuting whomever ripped you off. And so will we. Most banks and large corporations who issue Cashier's Checks or Money Orders are very anxious in tracing down and prosecuting those who counterfeit their checks.
Contact Information Once again, the email to contact is fraud@replicacenter.com. Please forward copies of both sides of the checks, and if possible, any letters that your bank has sent you regarding the check to prove it was indeed a forged or altered check which did not clear your bank account. Please also make sure to forward us the shipping information of the counterfeiter, as well as the tracking number of the package delivered (if you have it). You do not have to provide us with personal information if you don't want to - in most cases, we don't even need to contact you for further information. Do yourself a favor and report these criminals immediately. They are committing a serious crime and the legal authorities cannot prosecute these individuals without our help. Copyright(c) http://www.replicacenter.com |