Mail scam reported locally

Marion County residents are encouraged to be aware of a mail scam that has been reported in the community.  Lebanon resident Paula M. Tichenor reported receiving a letter last week claiming to be from "Hallmark Marketing and Research Management Inc." of New York, NY. The letter reads that the recipient was seeking to make extra income. The recipient is then asked to send a money order at a Money Gram location. The letter includes a "Customer Service Evaluation Tool" and what appears to be a cashier's check. The recipient is asked to make a purchase and to send a Money Gram money order. The cashier's check is supposed to be in excess of actual amount of the purchase, and therefore the recipient will keep the difference. Tichenor was suspicious of the letter and her bank, Farmer's National Bank, confirmed that the check would bounce. If the recipient actually sends the money order, then he or she would be responsible for the amount of the money order.  Marion County Sheriff's Deputy Tony Belcher said they saw a similar scam a few years ago.  "If anybody receives any of these letters, bring them by the sheriff's office and let us look at it," Belcher said. The sheriff's office is located on the first floor of the David R. Hourigan Government Administrative Building, 223 N. Spalding Avenue in Lebanon.