The University of South Carolina Police Department is warning students about a scam targeting students through their email, however, it is important to note that this particular scam is being perpetrated around the country. In the version of the scam being reported at the University of South Carolina, students are contacted through their email with an extremely attractive job offer. When the student accepts, the scammer, who in the South Carolina version of the scam has been identifying himself as Gary Rivera, sends an official appearing check of as much as $7,900 to the student who is told to deposit the check into the student’s bank account. The check is actually made out in an amount more than what was agreed to be paid to the student and the student is instructed to wire the extra funds back to Rivera. Of course, the check is counterfeit and ultimately bounces, however, the money that the scammed student wires to the scammer from his or her bank account is lost forever.
TIPS
It is always an indication that you are involved with a scam is when you receive a check for more than what is owed you and you are asked to wire the difference back to the sender. This is the basis of many scams including mystery shopper scams. Whenever you receive a check, wait for your bank to tell you that the check has fully cleared before you consider the funds as actually being in your account. Don’t rely on your bank giving you provisional credit which is given after a few days, but which will be rescinded once a check bounces and never accept a check for more than what is owed with the intention to send back the rest.