Public Service Announcement

Date of Notice: July 5, 2025

Issued by: Lowlander Center
PO Box 335
Many, LA 71449
Phone: 304-266-2517
www.lowlandercenter.org

REGARDING: ATTEMPTED FRAUD BY FAKE CHECK

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES:

This notice is issued to warn the public of an attempted fraud scheme perpetrated against the Lowlander Center, a Louisiana-based nonprofit organization. The individual identified in this scheme is DENISE WARIX of California, operating via the email address denisewarix3@gmail.com.

SUMMARY OF ATTEMPTED FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY

Between June 9, 2025, and July 1, 2025, Denise Warix engaged in a series of communications with the Lowlander Center under the guise of making a charitable donation. The scheme progressed as follows:

  1. Initial Pledge: On June 9, 2025, Ms. Warix pledged a donation of $1,550 to the Lowlander Center.

  2. Shipment of Fraudulent Check: Ms. Warix subsequently mailed a check to the Lowlander Center’s office in Many, Louisiana. This check, sent via USPS from an address in California (Tracking: 9102805658657743679554), was written for the amount of $4,550.

  3. Claim of Overpayment: On June 25, 2025, after confirming the check had been sent, Ms. Warix contacted the Lowlander Center claiming that the check was erroneously issued for $4,550 instead of the intended $1,550.

  4. Request for Refund: Ms. Warix then urgently and repeatedly requested that the Lowlander Center refund the purported overpayment of $3,000 by sending her a new check or via bank transfer before the fraudulent check could be fully processed and rejected by the bank.

Investigation revealed that the check provided by Denise Warix was fraudulent. The Lowlander Center did not suffer a financial loss, as the fraudulent nature of the check was identified before any funds were disbursed.

INTERSTATE MAIL FRAUD

The act of knowingly mailing a fraudulent check with the intent to deceive constitutes mail fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1341, a federal offense, as the correspondence and the fraudulent instrument crossed state lines from California to Louisiana. The request for a return of funds is a common tactic in “overpayment scams.”

This matter is being reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies, including:

  • United States Postal Inspection Service (1-877-876-2455)

  • Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

  • Louisiana Attorney General’s Office

  • California Attorney General’s Office

  • Local law enforcement in Many, Louisiana

PUBLIC WARNING

We urge other nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individuals to exercise extreme caution in any dealings with Denise Warix. Be vigilant against similar “overpayment” or “fake check” scams where you are asked to deposit a check and wire or send back a portion of the funds before it officially clears.

Common indicators of check fraud schemes include:

  • Unsolicited donation offers

  • Checks for amounts larger than agreed upon

  • Urgent requests to return “excess” funds

  • Pressure to act before bank verification

CONTACT INFORMATION

Any party who has been a victim of a similar scheme is encouraged to report it to local and federal authorities immediately. For information or to report similar incidents:

Law Enforcement:

  • FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: www.ic3.gov

  • U.S. Postal Inspection Service: 1-877-876-2455

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This notice is made for the purpose of public awareness and to prevent future fraudulent acts by this individual against other potential victims. The Lowlander Center reserves all rights to pursue civil and criminal remedies against Denise Warix and any co-conspirators involved in this scheme.

This public notice is issued pursuant to the organization’s obligation to protect the public from fraudulent schemes and in cooperation with federal and state law enforcement agencies investigating mail fraud and related crimes.

Lowlander Center
Kristina J. Peterson, Director
Email: KrajeskiPeterson@msn.com
Phone: 304-266-2517