Ohio AG warns about new bogus check scams

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray is warning that Ohioans are getting stung by new variations on phony check scams, which have been a problem for years.

Cordray said today that consumers can usually protect themselves by simply refusing to send money back to anyone who has sent them a check.

Ohio’s top law enforcer says in one new spin, people who use Web sites to sell items are sent fraudulent checks that exceed the sale price and are asked to return the overpayment. When they do, they lose that money.

Cordray says in another recent example, a Toledo consumer was contacted by e-mail about a business opportunity. The company then sent the man a check for $2,850, told him to keep $400 but return the rest by wire transfer.