Shelter Insurance reports fake check scam

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An insurance company headquartered in Columbia is warning of fake checks.

Shelter Insurance says it has received several reports about this scam.

Here's a break down of what happens.

Scammers are targeting people applying for jobs, not Shelter Insurance customers.

A fraudulent check is sent to the victim to buy office supplies.

That person is asked to use a personal check to return any extra money.

The scammers often cash the victim's check before a bank realizes the check used to buy the office supplies is fake.

Shelter Insurance tells us the scammers are willing to go to great lengths to steal people's money.

Shelter Insurance Director of Public Relations Jay MacLellan says, "They know what they're doing and they try to take any angle they can. And so much so, to the point where people think they've got a great thing happening to them, like getting a job, and ultimately to find out that it is fraudulent in nature."

Anyone who gets a suspicious check should call Shelter Insurance's fraud hotline or file a report online.