Police warn of counterfeit checks circulating locally

The Cape Girardeau Police Department alerted the public Friday about counterfeit payroll checks being passed in Cape Girardeau County.

Since the end of July to mid-August, several of the checks have been cashed at local businesses.

Police department spokesman Jason Selzer said they have suspects, some of whom are local.

Suspects have avoided banks, instead taking the checks to local business that provide check-cashing services. The payroll checks appear they were issued by well-established companies.

Typically, Selzer said, if a business doesn't normally get a paycheck from a certain place, that's a possible flag; and if a business doesn't cash many checks from a certain business, that also is a potential flag.

Police advise businesses to be "diligent when presented with any checks that they feel may not be legitimate. Asking for more than one form of identification or some proof of employment are ways to make it more difficult for the suspects," a news release said.

If presented with a check that appears counterfeit, businesses are advised to call police at 335-6621.