City of North Bend release - NORTH BEND, Ore. — The City of North Bend is alerting the public to a counterfeit check fraud scheme involving checks that appear to use City banking information.  Over the past several weeks, the City has identified multiple attempts to pass counterfeit checks using City of North Bend account information. Some of the attempted checks have been written for amounts as high as approximately $11,000.  The City wants to reassure residents, businesses and the public that no City funds have been lost. The City’s internal financial controls, including a banking security tool known as Positive Pay, are working as intended and protecting City bank accounts.  “Public funds remain protected,” said Finance Director Jeff Bridgens. “While fraud attempts have occurred, the City has not been defrauded of any money. Our banking controls are doing exactly what they are designed to do. We are sharing this information publicly because counterfeit checks can still be used to harm individuals who may receive them.”  Positive Pay allows the City’s bank to compare checks presented for payment against checks the City has actually issued. If a check does not match the City’s approved records, the check is flagged and stopped.  The City today received a report from an individual outside Oregon who had received a suspicious check in the mail that appeared to include City of North Bend banking information. The individual was not expecting payment from the City and contacted his bank and the City to report the concern.  That is exactly what the public should do.  The City has opened a police file and is working with its bank to monitor and stop attempted fraudulent transactions.  Although City accounts are protected, counterfeit checks can still be used in scams targeting members of the public. In many cases, a person may be asked to deposit a check and then send money back, purchase gift cards, transfer funds, or pay a third party. When the check is later identified as counterfeit, the deposit may be reversed, leaving the person who deposited the check responsible for the loss.  The City of North Bend will not send an unexpected check and then ask someone to return a portion of the money, purchase gift cards, transfer funds, or send payment to another person or business.  Anyone who receives an unexpected check that appears to be from the City of North Bend should:  Do not cash or deposit the check.  Do not send money to anyone connected with the check.  Contact your bank’s fraud department.  Preserve the check, envelope, mailing label and any instructions that came with it.  Report the incident to local law enforcement.  Contact the City of North Bend directly to verify whether the payment is legitimate.  Residents and businesses are encouraged to be cautious with any unexpected check, especially if it is accompanied by instructions to deposit the check and send money elsewhere.  “When in doubt, pause and verify,” Bridgens said. “A quick phone call before depositing a suspicious check can help prevent someone from becoming a fraud victim.”