Did You Know...

02-07-08 Getting ready for work this morning at 5am I heard of a double-fatal accident near Banks. As much as I would like for winter weather to be over it keeps hanging on as do the hazardous driving conditions. Please be patient and adjust your driving to the conditions of the road. Snow, ice, slush, and black-ice can appear suddenly with elevation changes even when you have driven for miles on dry pavement. I am happy and proud to say that my articles are being read and seem to be making a difference. My recent article on the counterfeit check received by a Vernonia citizen made other think and use some common sense when they received a similar check with instructions to cash it and forward funds to another party. Three counterfeit checks were turned into the Vernonia Police in the past two weeks. One of the checks was a "Lottery Scam" where the check was supposed to be assistance with taxes and fees prior to receiving a large sum of money. The other two checks were received as part of an work-at-home business ad where you receive checks, cash them, keep 10%, then forward the money to a Western Union account somewhere in the world. Remember, if it seems "too good to be true" than it probably is. Also know that if you receive a check or money, then cash it and send funds to someone else you have now met the definition of a "financial institution" and must be bonded, insured, registered as a financial institution. If you are not then there are federal consequences. The FBI has put out a flyer to help you determine if you are getting involved in a fraud or scam. You can get a copy of this flyer at the front window of the Vernonia Police Department or see it on the VPD website under the "Community Resource Links". Here are some highlights of the flyer: "If you can answer 'yes' to any of the following, you could be involved in a Fraud or about to be Scammed!" -Did you receive a check from an over-night delivery service? -Is the check connected to communicating with someone by email? -Is the check drawn on a business or individual account that is different from the person buying your item or product? -Have you been informed that you were the winner of a lottery, such as Canadian, Australian, El Gordo, or El Mundo, that you did not enter? -Have you been asked to pay money to receive a deposit from another country such as Canada, England, or Nigeria? -Did you respond to an email requesting you to confirm, update, or provide your account information?