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Lapeer County citizens need to be on the lookout for bad check scams, identity theft, lottery scams and fraudulent activities — especially during the Christmas holiday shopping season, said Lapeer County Prosecuting attorney Byron Konschuh.

The Financial Institution Alert Team, made up of Konschuh, police officials and financial institution leaders, meets every other month to discuss current scams plaguing the community.

Different versions of the same fraud to obtain personal banking information are surfacing throughout the county. In this scam, someone claims to be from the person's bank, credit card company, or a business they deal with, such as eBay. Their goal is to steal personal information such as bank accounts, Social Security, or PIN numbers. The culprits claim to be reacting to an emergency such as citing that personal information is on the Internet.

"They ask you for information, so they can verify it is you," said Lapeer County Bank & Trust security officer Carol Ugorowski. "This is a scam. Hang up, throw away the letter or delete the e-mail. A bank would never contact you for your personal information."

Some are fooled by letters they receive from other countries claiming they've won an inheritance.

"We come across one of those about every five weeks," said assistant CSC Bank manager Jackie Schriber, of the Imlay City Branch. "You have to ask yourself if you even have relatives in England. This scam seems to be targeting older persons."

Different versions of a lottery fraud are making their way throughout the county. A person is contacted they have won a lottery, but must pay out money to receive the winnings.

"What you have to remember is that playing the lottery outside the United States is illegal," said Michigan State Police D/Sgt. Mark Reaves.

Financial institutions are seeing a huge wave of counterfeit checks. The checks look real and customers are depositing them, then wiring money to the scammers. If the check is returned counterfeit or stolen, the person who deposited or cashed it must pay back the money.

Banks and local Lapeer County merchants were recently stung by a ring of organized bandits that travels throughout the United States during the harvest season.

"The paychecks look real, and the males, who all have ID, cash the checks," Ugorowski said. "They're the right pay date, and they're spread through the county at the time when migrant workers are in the area."

Other frauds circulating in Lapeer County:

n A person receives a online job and was sent five counterfeit $500 American Express checks. He is to deposit the checks, keep 10% for his pay, then wire the money to Western Union to his employer in Ghana.

n Another customer received an e-mail from the Internal Revenue Service stating he was eligible to receive a tax refund because of miscalculations in his income.

n One customer received a e-mail saying a woman's husband in the United Kingdom is dead. He had millions in the bank and the account is now dormant. She is dying, can't talk and has only a few weeks to live. She begs you to collect the funds and e-mail her.

n Customers selling merchandise on the Internet should also be wary of receiving checks for more than their asking price. The buyer always claims it is a mistake or an emergency. The scammer asks the seller to deposit the check, and wire back the balance.

n Several bank customers received a Mystery Shopper letter with a check they were told to deposit, then go to local merchants and ask them to wire money to Canada. The shopper was told to evaluate the service and keep some of the money.

Don't ever give personal information over the phone or the Internet, Konschuh said. It's also important never to respond to an fraudulent offer, even for fun.

"Once you do, you will receive all kinds of offers," Konschuh said. "You'll be on their list."

Filters are available to screen out many of the junk Internet offers, said Lapeer City Police Chief Todd Alexander.

Susan Younger may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8122 or susan.younger@lapeergroup.com