Effort under way to protect against check scams

There’s a new effort to prevent bank customers from being defrauded by swindlers.
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions, the Tennessee Credit Union League and the Consumer Federation of America announced the program.
Any customer who deposits or withdraws $1,000 or more at participating financial institutions will be handed a brochure titled “Don’t Become a Target.’’
The program is aimed at preventing bank or credit union customers from being taken in by fake check scams.
Mary Clement, director of consumer affairs with the Department of Commerce and Insurance, says there is no legitimate reason why anyone who sends a person a genuine-looking check would require money to be sent in return.