Featured Post

Jump for Joy with Santa and Mrs. Claus!

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Beware fake checks purporting to come from Franklin County

Corner of bank check with white envelope in background.

Did an unexpected check from Franklin County recently show up in your mailbox? Double-check before cashing it, auditor Michael Stinziano advised in a statement Tuesday.

"Fraudulent checks appearing to come from Franklin County are arriving to unsuspecting individuals across Ohio and in other states," according to the statement.

The checks, dated December 23, are all for the amount of $2,950.99, [and] appear to be more than an isolated effort to defraud unwitting individuals and the county.

Due to the Auditor’s office vigilance, a coordinated effort between the Franklin County Sheriff, Treasurer and Auditor are underway.

"I take consumer protection seriously, and will assist in prosecuting would-be scammers to the fullest extent of the law," Stinziano said. "Keeping the residents and businesses of Franklin County safe from fraud while being a good steward of public dollars remains a top priority of this office."

As there are multiple security measures in place to keep taxpayer dollars safe, there is currently no risk to county funds.

Individuals receiving an unexpected check from the Franklin County Auditor’s office are encouraged to call (614) 525-7346 to verify the validity of the check.