Two homeless men caught in check fraud scheme

A check scam has left Effingham's Coastal Bank holding the bag as they were taken for about $13,000 in a check fraud scam on the last day of 2009. Effingham County Sheriff's deputies are warning citizens and businesses on a new trend in which criminals have found another way to rip people off. The process starts by a homeless person or another participant with identification, called a "check runner,” being recruited at a homeless shelter. The "driver” will then take the runner to designated locations, usually banks, where the person will go inside with a fictitious company check made out in his name. The runner usually will receive a small portion of the check once it is cashed. Posted in: Check Fraud