A routine trip to the bank turned into a major case of alleged check fraud in Cheyenne, Wyoming, when a woman attempted to deposit a nearly $1 million U.S. Treasury check under someone else’s name. The woman, identified as Pamela Kubesh from Wisconsin, now faces federal charges for defrauding the government. Bank personnel at WyHy Federal Credit Union managed to detect the red flags and prevent what could have been the largest check fraud case in the institution’s history.
Kubesh entered the bank wearing a red shirt and black coat, presenting a California driver’s license and attempting to open an account under the name of an individual from Los Angeles. The situation took an odd turn when Kubesh hesitated to provide her Social Security number, prompting bank employees to raise suspicions. Despite the check being real, it was noted that certain information had been altered or removed, indicating a potential washing procedure to manipulate the check. Thanks to the vigilance of the bank’s staff, the attempt at fraud was thwarted before any money could be cashed.
Check fraud has been on the rise in the United States, with a notable increase in reported cases from 2021 to 2022. Myriad fraudsters target the U.S. Mail system in an attempt to steal checks, especially during times of economic stimulus such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The incident in Cheyenne serves as a reminder of the importance of staying vigilant against fraud and the need for institutions to be proactive in detecting and preventing potential scams.