CONTACT: Susan Bach, Director of Communications
PHONE: 414- 847- 6085
FAX: 414-302- 0355
E-MAIL: sbach@wisconsin.bbb.org
December 6, 2011, Milwaukee, Wis. – Usually, the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns consumers to be leery of unsolicited checks received in the mail because the checks are usually counterfeit. But this time, the BBB says checks that Wisconsinites may be receiving this week are legitimate.
The BBB has received hundreds of calls this week from consumers asking about the legitimacy of the $18 check. The BBB is advising that the checks, sent by the Foreign Currency Fee Litigation Settlement Fund, are safe to be cashed and deposited.
The checks are the result of a 2009 settlement over the fees credit card companies charged people when using their card abroad. Those who traveled outside the United States between February 1996 and November 2006 may receive this check. In many cases, customers did not opt into the settlement themselves, but were opted in by their banks. For more information, go to http://www.ccfsettlement.com/home.
“Scammers send fake checks to consumers often, hoping that they’ll cash or deposit them into their own accounts and wire them a portion of the money,” said Randall Hoth, Wisconsin BBB president/CEO. “Fortunately, consumers should rest assured that this is not a scam, but a legitimate check. It’s nice to have a little unexpected cash right before the holidays!”
For more information or further inquiries, please contact the Wisconsin BBB at http://www.wisconsin.bbb.org or 414-847-6000 (metro Milwaukee), 920-734-4352 (Appleton), 608-268-2221 (Madison) or 1-800-273-1002 (elsewhere in Wisconsin).
About BBB
BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability ReportsTM and charity BBB Wise Giving ReportsTM, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust, BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is difference in viewpoints. Although the first BBB was founded in 1912, the Wisconsin BBB began in 1939. Today, 125 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than four million local and national businesses and charities. Please visit http://www.bbb.org for more information about BBB.
