The American Bankers Association has been alerted that someone or a group of individuals sending cash prize letters purporting to be from ABA are actually part of fake check scam.

These con artists are sending letters asking people to call a phone number to find out how to collect the prize. Many of the letters contain one or more fraudulent checks and a number of individuals have attempted to cash or deposit these fraudulent checks.

The fraudulent checks are listed from ABA and ABD Federal Credit Union, however ABA believes other financial institutions may be targeted. The amount of the checks is typically between $1,000 and $5,000.

The ABA is warning consumers to never give out personal financial information in response to an unsolicited phone call, fax or email.

Inform the ABA about fraudulent phone calls and emails that use ABA’s name by sending an email to alert@aba.com.