GLENS FALLS, N.Y. – A state jury last week found that a local family is not liable for a fake check scheme they became embroiled in almost four years ago that cost Ticonderago FCU almost $100,000.
The jury found that William Collier, his wife and mother-in-law should not be held responsible for a $98,720 fake check that was put in his account at the credit union. Collier wired $76,171 of the money to Hong Kong 21 days after the check was deposited, well after the 10-day waiting period bank officials told him was needed to make sure the check had cleared.
Collier was sued by the credit union for fraud and breach of contract, but the fraud charge was dismissed before the trial, and the jury found he had not committed breach of contract.
Collier had received an e-mail from someone who said he had seen his resume on an employment Web site, and wanted Collier to head up a collections office in the North Country. He agreed, and the person, representing himself as from a company called AWH Global, said he would send Collier money to start a local office. Collier received a $98,720 check from the company in late August 2005.
Collier went to the credit union to ask how he would determine if the check was legitimate. He said he was told there was a ten-day waiting period for it to clear.
The "company" had asked Collier to wire $76,171 to Hong Kong, which he did three weeks after he deposited the check.
The credit union seized the remainder of the money when it learned the check was fake and also seized money from his savings account.
Collier’s lawyer said did not actually deposit, or seek to deposit, the check, but the credit union deposited it after he brought it to a teller to check on its legitimacy. Collier didn’t touch the money until well after the time period he was told was needed to ensure it cleared.
