email : Webview : NYU Safety Advisory: Check Cashing Scam Follow Up

Date: 2/2/2024
To: The NYU Community
From: NYU Department of Campus Safety
Re: Safety Advisory - Check Cashing Scam Follow Up

The Department of Campus Safety has received additional reports of a check-cashing scam being conducted on the sidewalk in areas near NYU buildings in Manhattan. After carefully reviewing the multiple reports, Campus Safety believes one or two individuals may be responsible for most of the scams and a photo array of the individuals is below.

Images of possible check cashing scam suspects

The scam works like this:

The individual poses as an NYU student, and says they need to cash a scholarship check to remain in good standing with the University. They may try to guilt the victim and pressure them to secure help.
The individual asks someone to deposit the check and follows them to a local bank. After receiving the funds in cash, the individual lets the person who cashed the check keep a small amount.
The check eventually bounces, leaving the person who cashed it responsible for a negative balance in their account.
Checks provided by this individual may bear some NYU branding elements—though none are official and all of the checks are made in the amount of $980.00 or $980.25.

Be wary of anyone asking you to become involved in a banking transaction, particularly involving handing over cash or transferring money via a cash app, such as Zelle or Venmo. Images of some of the fraudulent checks are below.

An image of a fraudulent check made out in the amount of $980.00

Campus Safety has notified local law enforcement regarding this scheme. If you see these individuals, or are asked by someone on the street to cash a check made out for the above amounts, please do not engage and contact 911 and then Campus Safety at 212.998.2222.

If you feel you may have been the victim of a similar scam, please contact Campus Safety.

Description of Suspects: The first individual is described as medium-complected and male-presenting with a slim build. The individual has been observed on multiple occasions: once wearing a dark NYU-branded hoodie and camouflage print skull cap, white face covering, and brown pants; a second time, they were seen wearing a black and tan, fur-hooded, knee-length Canada Goose coat; in addition to a camouflage print skull cap, orange face covering, black gloves, dark blue jeans, and black sneakers; a third time they were seen with a green jacket, camouflage print skull cap, orange face covering, gray sweatpants and brown shoes.

The second individual is described as dark-complected and male-presenting, with a slim build and short black dreadlock hair. They were observed wearing a dark green "puffer" jacket, cream color hooded sweatshirt, cream color sweatpants and black boots.