The Dalton Police Department is asking for the public’s help with identifying several women who are involved in a complicated identity and check fraud scheme affecting victims in Dalton and in multiple cities in Florida and bank locations in Chattanooga. Investigators estimate the scheme has netted the suspects at least $20,000.
On at least six occasions in June and July, vehicles were broken into in Dalton and purses were stolen with checkbooks inside. A day or two after each incident, checks stolen in the entering auto cases were cashed at different locations in Chattanooga. In each instance, the check was written to an unknowing victim in Florida. The suspect presenting the check had a fake ID with the identity of the Florida victim and the victim’s bank account information including account balances.
The stolen checks were drawn on accounts for different banks than the institution being asked to cash the check but because the Florida victims had accounts with that bank with enough money to cover the check if it turned out bad, the banks cashed the checks. The transactions averaged at least $2,000 each. In most cases, the bank account holders in Florida were not aware that their accounts were compromised until they were contacted by the Dalton Police Department.
The suspects are three or possibly four white women. Anyone with information on the identity of the suspects or this scheme is asked to contact Detective Forrest Jones at 706 278-9085, dial 9 and enter extension 184.