A new mail scam has popped up claiming a victim in Sequim.
The City of Sequim Government Facebook page posted a warning issued by the Sequim Police Department on Thursday detailing how a resident had fallen for a mail scam involving gift cards.
A Sequim resident received a package in the mail containing a check totaling $1,988. The check was from "Henry Dixon" through a bank called "Hometown National Bank."
Included in the package was an elaborate set of instructions detailing how to deposit the check and use it to purchase iTunes gift cards. The instructions said to purchase the cards from national retailers and that they would be used for survey purposes.
The instructions then said that the receiver should scratch the cards, revealing the security code on the back. This code is necessary when using the cards to make purchases. Instructions stated that pictures of these scratched cards were to be sent to a specific email or phone number.
This scam is designed to send checks that appear legitimate to unsuspecting receivers who will then cash these checks and immediately spend the money on gift cards. Since the checks are fake, when they bounce and the bank pulls funds from the receiver's account, money will be lost since the gift cards have already been purchased and used.
If you have encountered a suspicious check in the mail, contact your local police department for advice.
