Police investigate homeless check scam

Columbia police officials are warning local banks and the public about a check scam that’s hit mid Missouri.

Police officials said the scam is organized by an out-of-state group. Officials said the group steals local business checks for the routing numbers and authorized signatures. Officials said the group counterfeits the checks and recruits homeless people with identification to cash the check.

Police officials said the group will meet the homeless person after the transaction, collect the money and pay the homeless person a percentage of the profit.

Police said Columbia banks should be suspicious if a person outside of Boone County tries to cash a local check.