Be careful and do not become a victim of check fraud. Recently, Media Credit Union has identified and stopped fraudulent checks and cashier’s checks; these were counterfeit checks that circulating in more than one state. You should take time to verify any Credit Union check that you receive before trying to use that check; attempting to deposit or otherwise use a fraudulent check could result in a personal financial loss.
Here are information and steps to help protect yourself from check fraud:
- The counterfeit checks may be printed as “cashier’s” checks. Media Credit Union does not offer and issue cashier’s checks. Currently, we only issue Official Checks for our members. An Official Check is one that is issued by a financial institution on the members behalf that serves as a guarantee of funds.
- If you receive a Media Credit Union-labeled cashier’s check or an Official Check that may be suspect, please call 509-838-8960 for assistance.
- If you receive an unsolicited check either through FedEx®, UPS®, or U.S. Priority Mail from an unknown person, you should be suspicious. Use extreme caution in using such items, as they are usually counterfeit.
- If you sold something on the internet, beware of a payment by a fake check. Never wire “excess funds” back to an unknown buyer for any reason. If you receive any check for more than the final purchase price of any item, it is a suspect check and should be verified before attempting to use it.
- If you receive one of these counterfeit items, please immediately file a report with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission at its Report Fraud site (https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/), or with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (www.uspis.gov) if you received the check in the U.S. mail), or with your state or local consumer protection agencies.