• They say they are located in a foreign country and they have a check or money order in U.S. dollars that they can't cash. But there's no real reason why they couldn't use the financial services in their own country to cash it.
• They claim to have a medical emergency or some other problem and ask you to help by cashing a check or money order.
• They promise to come to the U.S. to be with you, but they need you to cash a check or money order to cover travel expenses.
• Only cash a check or money order for a close relative, someone you have actually met in person or someone you have known for a long period of time. You will be responsible if the check is phony.