Americo is aware that someone, or a group of individuals, are circulating fraudulent correspondence containing counterfeit checks bearing the name “Americo Financial Life and Annuity Insurance Company” or our logo. The checks may be accompanied by a letter regarding a Car Decal Advertising program.

Americo is not affiliated in any way with the individual or group committing these fraudulent activities. The checks are not real and you should not attempt to cash them.

 

How the Scam Works

In a fake check scam, a person you don’t know asks you to deposit a check and send some of the money back or to another person. The scammers always have a way to explain why you can’t keep all the money. They might say you need to cover taxes or fees, buy supplies, pay an installer, or something else.

These scams work because fake checks generally look just like real checks, even to bank employees. They are often printed with the names and addresses of legitimate financial institutions. They may even be real checks written on bank accounts that belong to identity theft victims.

It’s the law for banks to make deposited funds available within few days. It can take weeks for a bank to discover that the check is a fake. By the time your bank realizes it’s fake, the scammer already has your money and you are responsible for repaying the bank. Remember – just because the check has “cleared” does not mean it is good.

 

What to Do

Never send money back to someone who sent you a check. If you suspect you have received a counterfeit check with Americo’s name or logo on it, please call our Special Investigations Unit at 800.231.0801 to verify the check’s authenticity.

If you have received a counterfeit check delivered via the U.S. Postal Service, consider filing a mail fraud complaint with the U.S. Postal Inspection Services at uspis.gov/report/.

If you have received a counterfeit check via UPS, FedEx, or other delivery service, consider submitting a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint.

You should also consider filing a complaint with your local police department.

Please contact Americo’s Special Investigations Unit at 800.231.0801 with any questions.