Police report spike in counterfeit travelers checks appearing in local shops By RICK COLLINS The Patriot Ledger Counterfeit American Express traveler’s checks: Lately, criminals don’t seem to be leaving home without them.
Law enforcement officials say they’re seeing a spike in the number of counterfeit traveler’s checks being passed over local shop counters.
‘‘There has been an increase, especially within the past year,’’ said State Police Sgt. Linda Marlowe of the financial crimes task force.
Quincy and Braintree police say they have received multiple reports over the past several months alone, mainly from retail stores, of crooks trying to pass fake traveler’s checks.
On May 11, police arrested a Dorchester man after he tried to pass a counterfeit check at Pacific Sun at South Shore Plaza.
On April 26, Braintree police arrested two Dorchester women after they tried to use counterfeit checks at Kay Bee Toys and the Payless shoe store.
In March, Kingston police arrested three men and a 16-year-old girl after the girl made several purchases using fake traveler’s checks at the Independence Mall.
‘‘The last couple months, it seems to have picked up a bit,’’ Braintree Deputy Police Chief Russell Jenkins said.
Police say its been tough to get information from the people they arrest. But Marlowe said the checks are made using high-quality home printing equipment and many are made elsewhere and imported into this country.
Unlike some telephone calling-card scams, where unwitting marks purchase bad or expired cards, those being arrested for passing bad traveler’s checks usually work directly with the counterfeiters and are called ‘‘runners.’’
According to Marlowe, the runners make small purchases with the checks and pocket the change.
Sometimes, the counterfeiters will also use the fake checks to make purchases via Internet-based businesses such as eBay. After being taken a number of times, some stores at South Shore Plaza have alerted cashiers to watch out for the counterfeit traveler’s checks, particularly when customers use a $100 or $500 check to make a purchase of just a few dollars.
One tip-off: American Express doesn’t sell $500 travelers checks.
The increase in counterfeiting follows an overall rise in financial crimes.
‘‘More and more people seem to be looking at financial instruments, such as money orders, American currency, and say, ‘Gee, I can make a copy that looks just like that,’’’ said David Traub, spokesman for the Norfolk County District Attorney’s office.
One problem, according to law enforcement officials, is punishing those caught.
Even a felony conviction for counterfeiting (legally called uttering a false note in Massachusetts) does not always guarantee jail time, Marlowe said.
‘‘Prosecution is tough. It’s kind of discouraging,’’ she said. ‘‘I would like to see the penalties more severe.’’
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