Wedding officiants in Maine are facing an alarming trend as they report being targeted by scammers employing a deceptive fake check scheme. One such officiant, Candace Desrosier, nearly fell victim to this scam, which has been troubling the state for several years.
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Desrosier, who only recently became a licensed officiant in April, shared her experience with CBS13 shortly after conducting her first wedding ceremony. Just two months later, she received communication from a man identifying himself as “Bill McMahon.” He expressed interest in hiring her for another wedding, prompting Desrosier to feel optimistic about the opportunity.
After several days of exchanging emails to finalise the details, Desrosier mentioned her fee of £100 for the officiant services. Soon after, she received a FedEx package containing a check for £2,150. The significant overpayment raised her suspicions immediately. She noted that the communication with McMahon included inconsistent use of names and a peculiar request to use the excess funds to pay for additional services, such as a DJ and catering.
Further investigation on her part revealed more red flags. The address on the check linked back to an out-of-state P.O. box, a detail that heightened her concerns. Recognising the potential risk, Desrosier made the decision to withdraw from the ceremony altogether. “I just got run over, and I’m stopping it right here — I’m not gonna let you keep running over me,” she firmly stated.
Desrosier later reached out to CBS13’s investigative team, only to discover that she was not alone in her experience. The news outlet reported that multiple wedding officiants in the area had endured similar encounters with potential clients wishing to pay more than their specified fees. Such reports caught the attention of Shenna Bellows, Maine’s Secretary of State, who confirmed the distressing trend, stating, “It’s increased pretty significantly, and that’s a concern.”
In October, Bellows’ office issued a warning to notaries public and marriage officiants in Maine about the prevailing scams. The announcement highlighted a pattern where scammers would solicit services, provide payments in excess of the agreed amount, and subsequently request refunds for the overpayment. Once the victims sent the refunds, the initial payments would either bounce or the digital transactions would be reversed, leaving the victims at a financial loss.
Bellows urged professionals to be cautious when encountering what appears to be overpayment. She advised against accepting initial payments before ensuring they are in the correct amount and confirmed that the funds had cleared. Moreover, she encouraged those who offer digital payment methods to be familiar with the policies of the platforms they use. If any fraudulent activity is suspected, victims were advised to contact local law enforcement for assistance.
Reflecting on her own near-miss, Desrosier expressed relief that she dodged a potential financial disaster. “If I took that check to my bank, I’ve limited funds. There goes my money, there goes my life,” she remarked, illustrating the gravity of the situation many may not fully appreciate.
With the wedding season underway, the prevalence of such scams raises concern not only for officiants but for the wider community. Couples planning their special day and individuals involved in wedding-related services are advised to exercise vigilance against these fraudulent schemes.
As Maine tackles this issue, the hope is that increased awareness and reporting will help diminish the effects of these scams, allowing wedding officiants and couples alike to focus on what should be a joyous occasion. For now, both professionals and prospective clients are left to navigate a landscape marred by deceit, underscoring the importance of caution when managing financial transactions.