Sgt. Steve Vierthaler of the San Juan County Sheriff’s Department issued this warning through the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce today:
Over the past couple weeks we have had a large increase in ID thefts. Specifically persons are finding someone has used their bank account numbers to make phony checks which are being cashed down south in the Snohomish County area for hundreds of dollars in merchandise.
The suspects appear to be going to high volume stores such as Fred Meyers, Lowes, and Safeway to purchase miscellaneous items. This has amounted to a loss in the hundreds of dollars. Both Key and Islanders Bank accounts are involved. At this time we are looking at several leads but are asking anyone with any information to contact the Sheriffs Office at 360 378 4151, 24/7.
All businesses that accept checks should pay very close attention to the maker of the check as well as the ID they provide. These cases are almost impossible to clear and make any arrest. You could be out hundreds of dollars in merchandise.
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