More counterfeit checks surface
By Diana Royal Staff Writer

Counterfeit checks are continuing to make their way to Burke County.

According to a report filed at the Waynesboro Police Department, a local woman received seven American Express travelers checks, each one for $500.

She explained to officers that she had recently responded to an email "inquiring about an offer to assist a foreign company with some financial matters." In her response, the woman asked only if the offer was legitimate, according to the report, and was then told that she would receive a package in a few days. On Wednesday, Nov. 28, an envelope containing the checks arrived at her home.

After recalling an article published in that same day's edition of The True Citizen concerning counterfeit check scams, the woman said she notified police.

According to WPD Investigator Claude Wade, the seven checks were the same type of counterfeit checks The True Citizen had reported on in the article. In that story, two women attempted to cash three checks amounting to $1,500 at First National Bank, claiming they had no idea the checks were counterfeit. Tellers told the pair to report the incident to police, but when a similar check showed up at the Money Market just a few hours later, it was discovered that the women had not reported the incident.

Waynesboro Police Chief Karl E. Allen said the checks are not being sent from this area but that they are continuing to surface.

Anyone receiving these checks, or other suspicious correspondence, should contact investigators at 706-554-8029.