August 02, 2002
Friday - 12:45 am

The Alaska Department of Revenue is warning businesses to watch for counterfeit state checks. The Treasury Division reported Thursday that Anchorage businesses have cashed five counterfeit checks in the past week, totaling more than $15,000.

".....We are advising all businesses to look very closely at state checks until we catch the criminals." Revenue Commissioner Wilson Condon

The checks, titled State of Alaska Treasury Warrant General Fund, look similar to the paper and printing used by the state. "They're counterfeit, no doubt about it," said Revenue Commissioner Wilson Condon. "But they're not perfect, and we are advising all businesses to look very closely at state checks until we catch the criminals."

Condon also advised businesses to ask for more than one identification card before accepting a state check, and to be cautious when presented with a check by someone unknown to the business owner or clerk.

"These are not small, petty cash amounts," Condon said. "One of the checks was for $4,492.56." Businesses that accept counterfeit checks could be responsible for the loss.

The Department of Revenue discovered the counterfeit checks today, after it was alerted to the discrepancies by its bank. All five checks were accepted by Anchorage businesses in the past week and then presented to the state's bank for payment. "We don't know if there are any more counterfeit checks floating around out there," Condon said.

The Anchorage Police Department is investigating the crime, and anyone with information should call Anchorage Police Detective Michele Logan at 786-8500. Anyone with questions about state checks can call the Department of Administration at 465-5590.

For more information, contact Anchorage Police Detective Michele Logan at 786-8500 or Revenue Deputy Commissioner Larry Persily at 465-5469 in Juneau.

Source of News Release:

Office of the Governor
Web Site

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