City woman gets check-scam letter

David C. Shampine

Aug. 29, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Helen Storino was sure she hadn't entered any sweepstakes, so that was her first clue that the $4,650 check she received in the mail Wednesday couldn't possibly be legitimate.

She was correct.

An accompanying letter under the name Maaco Enterprises informed her she was the winner of $250,000. It instructed her to call the writer, David Brown, at a provided number to learn how to collect the balance of her winnings.

"It didn't sound real, but I called," said Mrs. Storino, 170 Conger Ave.

"A man speaking in broken English, maybe French or mid-Eastern, told me to deposit the check in my account, and then to call him back for additional instructions."

She was told that ultimately she would have to send money to pay taxes on her winnings, she said.

Instead of falling for the scam, realizing that she'd end up paying for a fraudulent check, Mrs. Storino made some calls, eventually talking to an official at MAACO in King of Prussia, Pa. She was quickly given confirmation that she was correct -- this is a scam.

She was told there is a police investigation in progress, and she mailed her "winner's notice" Thursday to MAACO.

The company, involved in collision repair and auto painting, has on its Web site a fraud alert, advising readers the company's name and trademark are being used "in a fraudulent mail attack."

The advisory warns, "These letters and checks did not originate from MAACO and if you try to cash the check you may also become victims of this mail attack. PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO CASH THESE CHECKS."

Mrs. Storino said she is concerned that somebody is selectively sending the letters and checks to senior citizens, believing they will find some people who are easy prey. If they cash the checks, they will be responsible for the money, she said.

Kathy Ryan, in the legal administration division at MAACO, said the company became aware of the scam Aug. 18, after checks "using our bank information" began showing up at the company's banks. The mailings have been across the country, "in the thousands," she said.

"Our bank has reversed the checks, but the scam is damaging our reputation and is misleading the public," she said.

An investigation has been opened by the Upper Merion Township Police Department in Pennsylvania, she said.

"We have been told that these scams originate overseas," Ms. Ryan continued. The letters provide bogus addresses in Manitoba, Canada, and the listed phone numbers have Canadian exchanges, she said.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0216-27775906