Crime Alert: Check-Cashing Scam Alert

Loyola Community,

The Department of Campus Safety has learned that a male (19 to 20 years old, medium-brown complexion with a stubble beard, and approximately 6 feet tall and 170 lbs) recently approached three students in Centennial Forum Student Union (CFSU) with the same check-cashing scam.

The man is telling students that he is just out of the military and that his wallet was stolen so he has no ID. He goes on to say that he has a check from his bank, but with no ID he isn’t able to get it cashed. He then asks the student if they have an account at Chase and if they do, he walks with them to the ATM machine. The man then makes the check out to the student, the student deposits the check in the ATM machine, and the student then takes out money for the scammer. Unfortunately, the checks he is using are stolen and once the bank processes the ATM transaction days later, the checks are identified as fraudulent and the student's account at Chase is temporarily frozen.

To date, three students have been scammed over the past two weeks, losing $250, $100, and $180 respectively.

Campus Safety does have video of the offender. In the video he is wearing a red snow cap with ear flaps, a military style, waist-length jacket (possibly blue or green in color), and a red scarf. The latest victim states that the man has been hanging around CFSU the past two weeks. He is known to frequent Zip’s Lounge (in CFSU) and he has been seen shooting pool. He has also been seen wearing a backpack on occasion.

We at Campus Safety would like to remind you to please be aware of your surroundings at all times and never be coerced into taking money from your accounts to give to strangers. If you have any questions about the incidents, please contact Campus Safety at 773.508.SAFE.

Sincerely,

Bob Fine
Director, Campus Safety