UTICA, NY – A Utica man has been charged after he tried to cash fraudulent COVID-19 stimulus checks at a local check-cashing business.
On March 29th, officers arrested Nicholas Smith, age 37, of Utica, relative to outstanding charges for Grand Larceny in the fourth degree.
“The investigation was started when a local check cashing establishment notified the Utica Police Department that Smith had cashed a stimulus check in March of 2021; in February 2022, Smith again entered the establishment and attempted to cash another stimulus check. Having the belief that the check was erroneous or fraudulent, the establishment refused to cash the check,” the Utica Police Department said. “Sometime in March 2022, the Treasury Department withdrew $1400 from the check-cashing account, leaving them at a loss.”
Through the investigation, it was learned that Smith had reported the initial check stolen and fraudulently cashed initially so that he could obtain an additional check. He was then able to cash the second check at another location after being turned away from the victim’s business.
Smith was arrested and charged for the fraudulent activity.