Garnett police believe local businesses which were scammed in a recent rash of forged checks, may have been part of a far broader theft ring which hit 11 law enforcement jurisdictions and scooped up $24,000 in stolen goods. Garnett Police Chief Kurt King told City Commissioners the local thefts became apparent after the department investigated what looked like a forgery at Ace Hardware in Garnett. It was discovered that other local businesses had also been victims of the same crimes, committed by the same individuals, who had hit up locations all across the state.
The identities of the suspects were not released. Checks carry pre-printed routing and account numbers on the micro line, and signatures are often accepted without real-time verification. The Better Business Bureau suggests keeping unused checks locked and limiting who can access it and shredding canceled checks and related paperwork when no longer needed.
If you suspect fraud or forgery, contact your bank immediately and ask to place a hold or freeze on the account if needed, and save all the physical evidence for the filing of a police report.
