The Office of Consumer Protection is warning Hawaii residents to watch out for fake checks that have been arriving in the mail. Banks and credit unions said they have seen a number of the phony checks. It is a scam designed to get money back from people who receive the checks.

Chris Minnick thought for a moment it might be his lucky day. The Makiki resident got a notice in the mail informing him that he had been selected in a special travel reward promotional lottery to win a free trip to the Bahamas.

The notification came a check made out to Minnick for nearly $3,000.

"I was little bit skeptical, but the check was so real," he said.

Minnick called the company and was greeted by an answering message. He was unable to reach anyone.

The Office of Consumer Affairs said it is a common scam.

"It looks like a real check, but it's undoubtedly counterfeit," said Stephen Levins, of the Office of Consumer Protection.

Here is how the scam normally works. The person who receives the check deposits it into their bank account. The bank puts a hold on it, but you get a receipt saying you are $3,000 richer.

Then, the company tells you that there has been a slight mistake. They overpaid you, or they need $1,000 back to cover expenses.

"The check's not good. The bank is going to come after you, the account holder, for putting in a bogus check, and you're going to have to make good on that check," Levins said.

There is a number at the bottom of the check called a routing number. Banks can check that to see if the check is legitimate.

"No company is just going to out of the blue send you $3,000 because they like you and you're lucky. If you still don't believe it, take a check like this to your bank or credit union and they'll look at the routing number and tell you it's bogus. The best idea is to tear it up, shred it, throw it away," Levins said.