DPS and LAPD team up to crack down on check fraud

The Department of Public Safety has partnered with  LAPD to investigate recent cases of check fraud in the USC community.

According to a DPS crime advisory sent to students Wednesday, at least two known cases of check fraud were reported last month. In one case, a suspect was identified as an acquaintance of the victim; officials said he had been scamming the victim since the summer by providing faulty checks in exchange for cash.

In the other incident, an individual renting an apartment was targeted. The suspect provided the down payment in the form of a defective check, then changed his mind and demanded his money back in cash before the check could be processed.

“We are absolutely working with the LAPD,” DPS Capt. David Carlisle said. Although DPS generally takes initial complaints regarding any sort of crime at USC, Carlisle said the investigation is often passed on to the LAPD, where specialized detectives work on the case.

“This isn’t someone preying on USC students,” Carlisle said, explaining that the frequency of fraud generally spikes during the holiday season.

LAPD Detective Josh Voyda said these scams are not new, and they are unlikely to target USC students specifically.

But DPS warned the USC community of the lurking presence of scammers trying to victimize students and others in the area.

Though he called scams involving acquaintances rare, Carlisle advised against dealing with anyone other than “people you know well and trust.”

Leah Turner, a freshman majoring in cinema-television production, said she thinks not giving money to someone she knows little about  is “common sense.”

“I personally would never give $300 to a stranger,” said Turner, who was surprised by the incidences of fraud that were reported.

Turner said while some school seminars on loan options cover the threat of credit scams, she hopes to see something similar addressing different sorts of scams that students might fall prey to.

“I think the DPS could hold a series of seminars exclusively about common scams ... so students can learn from the mistakes of others ... and be aware that they are targets,” she said.

DPS is encouraging students to be vigilant when it comes to parting with their money in any way, offering some basic tips on how people can protect themselves from falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

“I would tell students to be wary of deals that sound too good,” especially when it involves giving cash to a stranger, Carlisle said.

“Do not cash checks for acquaintances,” he said. “There are ATMs, credit unions and banks available to them ... you have to understand that you are taking a risk.”

The National Consumers League characterizes scammers as individuals who pressure targets to act immediately, promise consumers that they will make money off the deal or ask targets to wire money. The league  warns individuals to be alert when approached by such people.

Comments

1 comments

USC alumni

Thu Dec 4 2008 04:34

Watch out for scammers near ATM's. Don't give cash to strangers with stories on how they need gas or tow money

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