Chrysler Financial Issues Warning to Consumers Receiving Fraudulent Checks
by Steve Cypher on Friday, April 3rd, 2009One of the latest scams to hit consumers involves fraudulent checks supposedly issued by the former DaimlerChrysler Financial Services and Chrysler Financial Services.
Latest fraud to hit mailboxes
Here at Auto Credit Express, we usually discuss fraud as it pertains to issues involving online security. But since this latest issue of mail fraud involves the use of bogus checks from the captive finance company of one of the domestic automakers, we thought we’d bring it to your attention here.
Here is the press release from Chrysler Financial:
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., April 2 – Thought you won the lottery? Think again. Consumers across the United States have received fraudulent letters from the so-called Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission in Canada claiming they won $170,000. The letters also contain counterfeit checks allegedly issued by “DaimlerChrysler Financial Services” and “Chrysler Financial” in various amounts.
As part of the con, recipients are asked to deposit the check to cover a service charge of the same amount in order to receive their winnings. However, before the check clears beneficiaries are requested to call a representative and, ultimately, to write a personal check to “finalize the payment process.” Not surprisingly, the original check never clears and the promised payout of $170,000 never arrives. In the meantime, the consumer’s funds have disappeared.
As a result of the separation of Chrysler Financial and Daimler Financial Services on August 3, 2007, the DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Americas LLC company no longer exists.
Chrysler Financial is fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities in their investigation and has posted a fraud alert on its corporate Web site at corp.chryslerfinancial.com. Consumers who have been affected by this scam are encouraged to file a consumer fraud complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) either by calling the FTC’s Consumer Response Center toll free at 877- FTC HELP (382-4357) or by downloading and submitting a complaint form online at www.ftc.gov.
