SPRINGFIELD -- The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Investigative Unit has received three fraudulent checks in the past week from Craig’s list purchases.

The one common thread is the buyer always requests to make the check out for more than the price of the item and asks the seller for the remaining balance back in cash or on a green dot card.

So far, all of the intended victims have recognized the scam and notified the sheriff's office before they were victimized.

These checks look real and will have valid back account and routing information on them. They will also initially clear the bank but, as soon as the fraud is detected, the bank will not cover the check and the seller will suffer the loss.

The sheriff's office warns to never accept a check, personal or business for online transactions.

If you have received a check or are the victim of fraud, contact your local law enforcement agency.