Fraudulent Check Scams Target Drone Service Providers

“I need an initial aerial shoot of the site at all four cardinal directions at 200 & 400ft. My surveyor will be working on the property survey during the shoot. That is the reason why I need the aerial photographs ,pictures and video for the progression of the site. My budget is $5,000 grand. Due to my hearing impaired i can only be reach through email and text…”

If this sounds familiar, it’s because scams like this are once again targeting Drone Service Providers of all sizes. As a former fraud prevention technology developer, I wanted to share some insight into how these scams work and their warning signs.

How Fake Check/Overpayment Scams Work

The wording may vary greatly, but the scam is almost always the same: You are overpaid for a job with a bogus certified or cashier’s check and asked to return or redirect some of the money. The check will clear because of how these checks are processed. A few days later, the fraudulent check will be identified, the…