On Dec. 13, 2011, Wythe County offices began receiving calls regarding checks sent to residents of other states in the name of the New River Valley Regional Water Authority. The checks were found to be fraudulent and recipients should know not to cash them as they are thought to be an attempted scam.

The two calls received by Wythe County were from residents of Mickleton, NJ, and Middlebury, CT. The first check reported from New Jersey was in the sum of $1,600.

The bank listed on the checks and connected to the routing number is a legitimate bank located in Minneapolis, MN. When contacted, U.S. Bank had no knowledge of the checks but quickly put their investigation team on the case.

In addition, the recipient of the check in Connecticut is conducting his own investigation and has brought it to the attention of the Connecticut State Police who are also investigating.

Wythe County representatives and the NRV Regional Water Authority are looking into the fraud scam as well and are working to find the source of the checks. If you have any information regarding these checks or have received them yourself, please contact Wythe County offices at (276) 223-6020.