This week, I got a call from a man who wanted to sell his “horses”…a combined 330 horses that were in the motors of two vehicles, his late model Saab and his 10-year-old motorcycle. Ironically, his last name was “Horseman.”
He wanted to know if the check we wrote was any good. My question was, “What check?”
Sadly, there appears to be a crook out there writing counterfeit checks on one of our bank accounts, the one with a number ending in 6957. This is a “deposit only” account. It’s impossible to write a check on this account, and we never do. It’s not a checking account and, because of the fraudulent activity, we’re actually closing the account. We’ve also filed a report with the police.
I’ve worked with horses on my little farm. But, this is a far cry from the kind of animals I’m used to!
Mr Horseman warned me, “You better check your accounting department and put a stop to this.”
But, it’s not our accounting department that’s doing it. In fact, it has nothing to do with Lehman’s. And, there’s nothing we can do to make it stop.
The checks come from places all over the country. They’ve been written out for vehicles, boats and antiques. Often, there are fantastical stories to go with the checks.
Mr. Horseman was told that the check was signed by “Mr Lehman’s son” to buy a motorcycle for his dad. This story made me laugh. I used to ride, but after I flopped my bike on a patch of gravel, it wasn’t any fun any more. After that experience, I sold my motorbike. My dad used to ride, too, but at the age of 82 he starts up his Model T when he wants to feel the wind in his hair.
Several of the checks were signed by “B Franklin.” Although I’d love to have known wise old Ben, he was before my time and has never worked here.
If you receive a check from Lehman’s that is drawn on an account number ending in 6957 and drawn on a Cleveland bank, it’s a counterfeit. If you receive a check by Fed Ex from Lehman’s, it’s probably not real (because we almost never send checks that way). And, if someone tells you “Mr Lehman’s son” wants to by a motorcycle, run the other way!
Galen Lehman, President, Lehman’s
Click here to join
me on Facebook!
Galen, you are all some very deacent people.
why would somebody want to do that to you all, is beyond my understanding. what a crooks. sorry to hear about this.
oops decent not deacent
This happens to businesses from time to time. Either someone got wind of your account number or they deliberately stole it from your bank, then had checks printed. They may have then sold your account number to other frauders! But it just goes to show – don’t take checks from strangers for personal transactions.
I read you contacted the police, but did you contact the Atty General’s office? I ask because my husband and I have recently been ‘attempted’ victims of an internet scam that spans at least 6 states so far (phone numbers anyway). They have opened an investigation although it is very bleak in they said they use disposable phones so they are near impossible to trace. Anyhow, we had to close our checking account just in case and they even called my husband’s place of employment! The AGO said of course everything they are doing is illegal, but what are they worried about no chance hardly of getting caught! My prayers are with y’all…..
I pray they catch this crook(s) fast and put him(them) where he (they) belong for a very long time.
Crazy … I will watch for the check. Can’t figure out how these guys get their information!
30 years ago someone stole a box of checks, guess from the postoffice we never found out where. The bank called and said we had some big checks did my husband write any. I told them he was only allowed to carry 1 check. LOL They had been written for expensive cut glass at an antique fair in Atlanta (we live in Indiana) by a slender young man. My husband was/is chunky and middle aged. The sellers didn’t ask for any identification from this guy. Kind of dumb right, the checks were for over a thousand. Thank goodness the bank let us know and we weren’t responsible for the cost. Nothing anyone does surprises me any more.