Readers: Have you received a check lately that you didn't expect? Well, I did. And it's a scam.
The other day I received a check for $1,780.45 from the Community Action Partnership in a certain town in California. The check was drawn on a legitimate bank in San Luis Obispo, Calif., and was dated Dec. 17.
And this check arrived by FedEx, with a return address in Irvine, Calif.
It all looked very legit — except for the fact that nobody owed me money. And the envelope was sent to my work address, which just didn't make sense.
So I was very suspicious and called the place that supposedly sent me this generous gift.
I was told it was a scam and that the FBI was looking into it. Others had received similar checks.
There was no accompanying letter with my check. But I was told that others were instructed to cash the check and share the proceeds with the sender. First, of course, the receiver had to pay his fee upfront.
And once you cash the check, of course, the crooks have access to your bank records.
I think I know how this started. When I was out and about one day, someone asked me to enter some sort of contest. I was suspicious but thought it would be fun to see what it was all about. That's when I put down The Post's address instead of my home.
Dear John: I have visited both Atlantic City and Las Vegas many times.
The problem AC has versus Las Vegas has little to do with strip clubs, marijuana and pyrotechnics.
I'd rather fly five hours to Las Vegas than drive the 2½ hours to Atlantic City from my home in Staten Island.
Driving to AC is depressing. The area surrounding AC is in worse shape than downtown Baghdad. Little to no money was ever spent, as was promised, by politicians when they dumped AC onto us.
Going to Las Vegas is exciting because it is an adventure. Things are just different there for some reason. Maybe it's the weather, or maybe it's something else. But walking around Vegas is stimulating, while walking around AC is depressing.
I will continue to visit AC, but only because it's close-by. And I certainly won't go if I have to pay for my room. C.H.
Dear C.H.: I agree with almost everything you said. But comparing it to Baghdad? Nah!
Atlantic City definitely needs work. And the problem, of course, is that there are more gaming facilities being built elsewhere every year. So people don't need to go there anymore. So they have to want to go there.
AC does have history. But that's not enough. It doesn't have sufficient draw.
It needs to be different from all the other casino areas.
Sure Vegas' weather is better much of the year. And the thing that's "different there" is the fact that the city tries successfully to entertain its visitors.
AC simply needs to make more of an effort or its business is going to go away. And all those big casinos along the waterfront will be empty, and the city will be a prime example of a bad business plan.
Dear John: I got a call from one of those phony IRS numbers that randomly call people and demand they make tax payments to some phony address.
When I returned the call, a real person picked up and identified himself as William Turner of the IRS.
I complained to the IRS and the Federal Trade Commission about this, but they must be too busy to deal with it because these con artists still have an active line.
Dear K.G.: I called as well and got "Eric Foster." I checked his ID number out with the IRS and he appears to be a fake.
I was successful in reporting him and I gave him a tongue-lashing for being such a scoundrel. I'm sure he doesn't care. And he'll just change his phone number and try to swindle other people.
But you should know that these sorts of scams can be easily reported to the IRS at TIGTA.gov. That stands for Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
There's a big red button on the top right side of the home page. Follow the instructions and you, too, can bag a con artist. Or you can call TIGTA at (800) 366-4484.
Everyone should give our fake IRS friend a call at (202) 241-7062 and say hello.
Send your questions to Dear John, The New York Post, 1211 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10036, or john.crudele@nypost.com
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