Money scams target Air Force members

  • Published
  • By Capt. Anthony Ghiotto
  • Assistant Staff Judge Advocate
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  An old saying claims if something appears too good to be true, it probably is. This saying is especially true when it applies to money. 

A new scam is hitting Air Force members and Arizonans that supposedly offers unsuspecting individuals money for nothing. 

The scam works two different ways. In the first way, individuals receive a letter in the mail telling them they are the lucky winner of a foreign lottery. This letter also includes a check for a substantial amount of money. 

To get the money though, the letter requires calling a number to receive a tax identification number. To get the tax ID number, the person must give the "lottery" his or her personal information, including social security number and address. 

The supposed lottery can then use this information to steal the unsuspecting person's identity and sell the information. As for the money, the person will be able to deposit the check, but in a couple of days, it will bounce. 

In the second method, individuals receive a letter along with a check. The letter informs the person that they have won a large amount of money, for example, $250,000. 

However, the check will only be for a smaller amount, such as $4,000. The letter instructs the "winner" that to receive the entire amount, they must first deposit the smaller amount. 

If the initial check is deposited, it will appear in the person's bank account. However, it takes from 10 to 14 days for the bank to discover the lottery check was fraudulent. Once the bank realizes this, the check will bounce. 

In the time before the check bounces, the unsuspecting person will be asked to send the lottery a check in order to receive the rest of the supposed prize. The amount requested is usually for $1,000. After the lottery staff receives the check from the unsuspecting individual, they never release the rest of the "winnings." 

"In this age of identity theft and frequent scams, it's essential that all Air Force members and their families are vigilant and skeptical when they receive offers that appear too good to be true," said Capt. Rob Stuart, assistant staff judge advocate. "If you receive an offer that appears odd, investigate it further or bring it to an attorney on base during legal assistance hours to find out more information." 

Members should be especially cautious of such offers from organizations congratulating them for winning the lottery -- it really is too good to be true.