Financial Crimes - Fraud

In an continuing effort to keep you up-to-date on the latest financial fraud scams, the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office has gathered the following information.

Listed below are some of the most recent scams being reported to law enforcement. You will also find resources listed that can provide assistance and information on where to report these types of crimes.

• Have you received a letter containing either a check or money order?
• Does this letter reference the fact that you have won a lottery?
• Are you being asked to cash these checks or money orders and then send money via return mail?

Be on the lookout for scam letters, especially any that came from out of the country or ask you to respond to an address out of the country.
Chances are these checks and/or money orders are counterfeit, even if your financial institution advises they are real. It is not until these documents begin their way through the clearing phase that it is discovered they are not real. By then it's usually too late as you have followed the instructions and sent the money they are seeking.
If you have received one of these letters, THROW IT IN THE GARBAGE, or better yet, shred it!

Are you the victim of a crime that occurred over the internet or outside St. Johns County? File a report online here: Internet Crime Complaint Center: http://www.ic3.gov

Fighting Fraud

New online national resource to help in the fight against fraud. www.fraud.org

These links are useful resources:

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