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> DHHS News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2008
CONTACT
Marla Augustine, Communications and Legislative Services, (402) 471-4047 or marla.augustine@dhhs.ne.gov
Scam Targets Child Care Providers
Lincoln—A scam targeting child care providers has surfaced in the Lincoln and
Omaha areas. One child care provider in Lincoln and two providers in Omaha have reported
suspicious contacts to the Nebraska Children’s Services Licensing Program of the
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health.
In the scam scenario, a supposed parent from Africa contacts the child care provider,
saying he or she wants to arrange child care for a three-month stay in the city. The
"parent" sends the provider a check which exceeds the rate for care by several
thousand dollars. The "parent" e-mails the provider to see if she received the
check and tells her to cash it and send the difference back to the parent. The check is
fraudulent.
Child care providers who are contacted in this manner should not attempt to cash the
check. Providers who have been victimized in a scam like this can contact the Attorney
General’s Consumer Protection Division at 800-727-6432 or file a complaint online at http://www.ago.ne.gov.
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