The Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA) has issued a warning regarding a phone scam in the United States. The callers pose as new customers and use bogus money orders to order jewelry.
The JSA cites the example of a man going by the name Cliff Brewer who ordered six gold clasps from a supplier in Los Angeles. He sent what appeared to be a money order from Washington Mutual and asked that the merchandise be shipped to his “place of business” in California. After the deposit of the money order, the company shipped the goods. Brewer reportedly ordered six more clasps several days later, and after sending a money order for $1,500 asked that the new goods be shipped to him.
The money orders were subsequently returned to the supplier marked “altered/fictitious.”
Similar incidents were reported to have taken place in New Mexico and in the Dallas area.
The JSA advises retailers to verify credit cards prior to sending out goods or to insist on doing business with bank wire transfers.
