Check cashing scam hits 3 states

An counterfeit check case in Alabama has connections to Soddy-Daisy and North Georgia, according to Alabama authorities.

Alert bank workers in Fyffe, Ala., called police this week when checks were presented as payroll from a local business, according to DeKalb County, Ala., Sheriff Jimmy Harris.

While Fyffe police detained four suspects, sheriff's investigators determined that the checks, although of good quality that passed initial security measures, were forged.

"Within the last 36 hours, this investigation has led to Tennessee and Georgia, where this group is using similar methods to fraudulently get money from banks," the sheriff said. "These attempts have been specific on certain business accounts and have been successful in our area for over $17,000 in the last week. The checks recovered in these arrests totaled $27,515.08."

Some of the checks were "traced back to somewhere around Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee," Sheriff Harris said. "We think they were mailed out or taken or lost up there."

Soddy-Daisy Police Chief Phil Hamrick said Friday his department has not been contacted, but it may look into the case.

"If we had a business name or something, it might help," he said.

Sheriff Harris said the forged checks were given to the suspects, all homeless men from Atlanta, to be cashed. The men were supposed to receive a fee, he said.

"This was part of a large-scale operation, apparently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area," Sheriff Harris said.

The homeless men were picked up at bus stops or homeless shelters as day laborers, he said. They were given clothing and work items such as hard hats and reflective vests to make them appear to be workers when they cashed the payroll checks, he said.

Sheriff Harris said the four suspects were using their own valid driver's licenses to cash the checks, so bank officials should make sure the accounts being accessed are valid and the checks are legitimate.

The four people arrested are Claude Derick Campbell, 36; Steven Darcy Beard, 49; Michael Edward Blalock, 51, and Anthony T. Peterson, 45, all of Atlanta. They all are charged with possession of a forged instrument second degree, a felony.

"This investigation is continuing, and federal authorities are working with local law enforcement on the case," the sheriff said.