Fake Paychecks Fraud in Watsonville

A large group of people tried to cash fake paychecks at two small businesses in Watsonville. One of them lost thousand of dollars while a perceptive clerk saved the other.

About 18 people lined up to cash their payroll checks at local store in Watsonville on Friday. It did not seem odd to the cashier because it was a common matter and cash checking is a usual service at the small stores of city neighborhoods.

But the cashier became suspicious after a dozen check were cashed, all from Sun Valley Berries, a Watsonville-based company. He called the company. The company confirmed that the checks were fake. By that time, the business had lost $400 to $500 for each fake check that was cashed.

"It's totally common. It wouldn't be unusual. Everyone got done working, all left the field together to go cash their paycheck," said detective Burton Iles of the Watsonville Police Department.

A second business also was hit Friday, but the clerk discovered the forgeries after noticing the second check that came across the counter had the same name and dollar amount, Iles said.

Source: Register Pajaronian, Watsonville, CA, USA