Boston University

PD: Check Cashing Fraud Targeting Boston University Students

Three incidents of a check cashing fraud have been reported by Boston University students, the university police said in a crime alert.

According to police, the most recent incident occurred on Oct. 6 at 8:00 p.m. when a student was approached by a man who asked him to cash a check for $1,000. The suspect reportedly told the student that he was a Northeastern University student and needed the cash to pay his rent.

The student went to a nearby ATM and withdrew funds but later found out the check was fraudulent, police said.

According to police, the second incident occurred on Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. when a student was reportedly approached by a man inside of a restaurant at 949 Commonwealth Avenue.

The man told him he was a Northeastern University student and asked him to cash two checks totaling $1,500. He said it was for his rent and books, police said.

The student went to a nearby ATM and withdrew the funds but later found that the check was fraudulent.

The first incident reportedly occurred on Sept. 30 at 9:00 p.m. A Boston University student told police that a man approached her in the area of Agganis Arena and asked her to cash a check for $660. The suspect told the student that he needed to pay rent but didn't have his ATM card.

The student went to a nearby ATM and withdrew the funds but later found the check to be fraudulent, police said.

According to police, the suspect is described as a tall, heavyset man in his early 20s with short, black hair.

Police ask anyone who has information regarding these incidents to call them at 617-353-2121. Those wishing to help and remain anonymous can text the word "BU" to 847411.

Boston University Police say the scam is designed to work because it is socially awkward to get out of the situation. But no one should feel obliged to cash checks or enter in other financial transactions with strangers. If you find yourself confronted by a person asking to cash a check, make up an excuse not to and contact police at 617-353-2121.

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