Shelter Insurance reports fake check scam COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Shelter Insurance says it has received several reports about this scam. Here's a break down of what happens. Scammers are targeting people applying for jobs, not Shelter Insurance customers. A fraudulent check is sent to the victim to buy office supplies. That person is asked to use a personal check to return any extra money. The scammers often cash the victim's check before a bank realizes the check used to buy the office supplies is fake. Shelter Insurance tells us the scammers are willing to go to great lengths to steal people's money.