Multiple local businesses have fallen victim to a check writing scam and are now looking for help finding the scammers.
At least three Central Valley businesses have fallen victim to the scam, including Valley Distributors, Inc. of Turlock, Pacific Supply of Modesto, and Soares Lumber and Fence of Los Banos. The scam was also attempted at Denair Lumber Company, Inc.
Todd Anderson of Valley Distributors, Inc. said a person from Apple Valley Air Conditioning Company purchased a large amount of lumber from his company for more than $4,200.
The check pointed to an address on Santa Cruz Avenue in Modesto, and traces back to an active bank account. But it turns out that the address is an empty lot.
It has been reported that the scammers are using fake cashier’s checks from the Bank of the West.
The scammers also wrote checks of $4,500 and $4,000 to Pacific Supply and Soares Lumber and Fence, respectively, according to Anderson.
The scammers were driving a 90s model Chevrolet or GMC pickup with a service body and duct tape holding the driver side service body closed, with California license plates 6G46679. The trailer is a generic equipment trailer with California license plates 4LL3794.
The lumber purchased from Valley Distributors, Inc., was 128 pieces of 2 x 6 x 20 Douglas Fir, 208 pieces of 2 x 4 x 16 Douglas Fir and 65 pieces of 4 x 8 x 15/32 OSB sheeting.
Anyone with information on the location of the vehicle, or the material that was sold, is asked to contact the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department at 209-525-7074 and refer to case #S14008430.
