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SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah Division of Consumer Protection is warning Utah consumers about a new version of an old scam involving fake U.S. Postal Service (USPS) money orders as bait.
A Salt Lake City woman was sent $1,900 worth of fake USPS money orders in return for a $45 dishwasher she was selling through an online classified ad.
The "buyer" instructed her to fill out the two blank money orders with information which turned out to be fraudulent, deposit the money in her bank account keeping $100 as a bonus, and then wire the remaining money back to the "buyer" through Money Gram.
The seller didn't fall for the scam and reported it the Utah Division of Consumer Protection.
"Phony money orders are yet another ploy where scam artists try to steal your hard earned money through a fake front," said Francine A. Giani, "Consumers need to be especially vigilant in this tough economy as desperate scam artists offer bigger checks, higher sweepstakes winnings and other fake prizes to tempt consumers."
