Madera County Sheriff John Anderson is warning resident to beware of a new check cashing scam.

Anderson says a Madera woman recently found herself caught up in the scam, cashing a check which looked and seemed legitimate but was fake.

The woman was sent a check by a Linda Spaulding, GREENDOT Grant Program, which said that she had been selected for a $10,000 grant based on financial need. The check seemed legit to the unemployed woman, because she had recently completed a grant writing course.

The check with a US bank logo in the amount of $965.55 was issued June 19, 2009.

The woman was told that she could cash the check in her account as long as she sent them back $450.00 as a commission fee.

After cashing the check, and sending the money, the woman discovered she owed the back money because the check she deposited was bad.

Sheriff Anderson is warning residents that no matter how legitimate a check might look there is no reason why anyone should give a portion of it back unless the check is no good.

He advises people who receive checks like this one to toss them in the trash.