The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Utility warns of check scam
Scheme has been detected in different cities nationwide
Clinton-based Connecticut Water Co. and state Consumer Protection officials are warning consumers of a fake check scheme that makes use of the utility’s good name.
Officials with the utility said anyone who receives a check from the company that is not directly related to their water service account can assume it is fake. Connecticut Water serves 325,000 people in 56 towns in Connecticut.
Maureen Westbrook, Connecticut Water’s vice president of customer and regulatory affairs said has received nearly a dozen calls from Arizona to Massachusetts regarding the scam.
The scheme involves someone posting a product or ad who sends a cashier’s check, personal check or corporate check to a consumer to pay for a service. At the last minute, the “seller” contacts the consumer and asks them to wire back some of the money after the check is deposited because they claim they sent a larger amount than needed.
Later, the check bounces, leaving the consumer liable for the entire amount. The scam also works when the consumer is selling an actual product and the scammer is the buyer who sends a payment that is over the agreed amount.
“One person told us they
responded to an ad to earn money for placing advertising for an energy drink on his car,” Westbrook said. “The payment was a bogus check with Connecticut Water’s name on it. Fortunately, the person was savvy enough to spot the fake and reported it to the company.”
Connecticut Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Seagull said individuals “need to be extra cautious when something sounds too good to be true.”
“You should not attempt to deposit the check and should contact the company the check appears to be from,” Seagull said. “Consumers did the right thing in contacting Connecticut Water.”
Anyone with any doubts about the legitimacy of a check that appears to be issued by Connecticut Water can the utility’s Customer Service Department at 1-800-286-5700.