2 More Phony City Checks Discovered

Two more fake Torrance city payroll checks have surfaced in San Pedro, and police are warning merchants to verify payroll checks with banks before cashing them.

The two checks, for the amounts of $278.53 and $276.19, were cashed at Seamans Liquor in San Pedro, said Detective Jeff Harris of the Los Angeles Police Department Harbor Division.

The checks appear to be similar to two other fake Torrance paychecks cashed at Scheffler Liquor in San Pedro last month. The checks are printed with fictitious names of city officials and bear a logo--resembling an upside-down Mercedes-Benz symbol--that has never been used by the city.

Clerks at liquor stores or small markets in Wilmington or San Pedro should make sure who they’re dealing with before cashing payroll checks, Harris said. An investigation is continuing.