URGENT UPDATE: Two island institutions have reported shocking incidents of check fraud to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) within the past week, raising concerns about the safety of financial transactions in the area.
On January 27, 2023, Christine Oliver, head of The Island School, alerted authorities after discovering a fraudulent check issue. The school had issued a check on January 12 to cover insurance for an upcoming event. However, Oliver was informed that the check had not reached its intended recipient. Investigations revealed that the check, originally sent, had been altered and was deposited on January 22. Authorities confirmed the school would be reimbursed due to this fraudulent activity.
Just days later, on January 31, 2023, Deputy Nicholas Garber responded to another fraud report at the Boca Bay Master Association. A representative reported that three checks were mailed on December 11, all payable to the CT Corporation System and sent to a post office box in Illinois. Alarmingly, two of these checks cleared the bank with altered amounts and payees, while one check remained unprocessed as of January 30.
These incidents not only highlight the vulnerabilities in the handling of checks but also pose significant financial risks for local organizations. The potential for fraud in the community affects trust in financial systems and raises alarm among residents and local businesses.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information or who may have been affected by similar incidents to come forward immediately. The LCSO is actively investigating these cases to prevent further fraudulent activities and to protect the community.
Residents and organizations are reminded to be vigilant when issuing checks and to verify that recipients receive their payments as intended. This developing situation underscores the urgent need for increased security measures within financial transactions to safeguard against fraud.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
