Check Fraud Hits Catholic Community Foundation

By Myles Collier, Christian Post Contributor Thursday, December 08, 2011

The Catholic Community Foundation was founded so that good could be done. Yet in recent months its name and its checking account have allegedly been used fraudulently.

Checks have been forged and sent all over the country which look nearly identical to those that are used by the foundation.

Unfortunately some individuals that the checks were sent to thought they would be doing good deeds with the money. Still, others had no idea why the foundation would be sending them money in the first place.

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Sheila Canelos is the Director of Fiscal Development for the Catholic Community Foundation which is located in Baltimore, Md.

In an interview with The Christian Post Canelos explained that she began receiving complaints from various people from all over the country regarding the unusual checks.

“I don’t know how they got copies of the checks since we don’t keep blank checks in stock.”

The checks she explained were sent to over a dozen states from Florida to Washington. Those who received the checks were instructed to cash the checks and then send the money to another organization, usually outside of the country.

She was able to determine the checks were fake because the imprinted security measures that are normally found on real checks were not present.

Also, the signature on the check had been hand written and contained the name of the foundation’s treasurer, who is not authorized as a signer of the account.

Canelos told CP “that a new system with their bank has been setup. It is a positive pay system that contains a list of checks that are approved.”

The seriousness of the matter has not gone unnoticed.

Canelos reported the incident to the FBI in September. They are currently investigating the matter as Internet check fraud since the victims had been contacted over the internet.

Canelos also expressed sympathy to those who were duped by the con and also held liable once they cashed the checks.

“It’s unfortunate this happened, especially with the economy.”

She continued with the old adage: “If it sounds too good to be true.”

Anyone who comes across a check in an unusual manner or feel it is suspicious is encouraged not to cash it and instead contact the local FBI field office or file a complaint online at www.ic3.gov.