Mass. residents warned about scam

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Revenue is warning taxpayers and consumers of a scam the department has become aware of.  The scam encourages consumers to deposit fraudulent checks with the name and address of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue on it.

The scam affects those selling items on advertisement or auction websites like Craigslist.

The buyer starts the scam sends the seller a phony DOR check made out to the seller for more than the amount of the item to be purchased, and then asks for a real check to be sent in return to cover the difference between the phone check and the actual sales price of the item.

The seller then winds up depositing a bad check that they are responsible, sends money to the scammer, and may also have shipped the item before they have realized it is a hoax.