In brief: Alert issued on fake check scam

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is advising people to throw away any suspicious checks, after two new reports of fraud cases involving counterfeit checks from fake companies.

One woman received a check and a letter saying she had won a sweepstakes but had to return some of the winnings for taxes, according to a news release. Men twice came to her house to collect $2,985 and $3,900 before her bank told her the cashed checks were counterfeit.

Another woman received a check from a company called Excellent Mystery Shopper, saying she could be a “mystery shopper” if she cashed the check and returned some of the money for “training,” according to the release. Her bank told her the cashed check was counterfeit before she could reach anybody at the company.

Usually such frauds originate in foreign countries, so it is difficult for local agencies to investigate them, the release states.

Adult family home loses authorization

The Department of Social and Health Services has issued a summary suspension and revocation of an adult family home after the provider admitted he “kissed and fondled” an 89-year-old resident, according to state records.

The agency barred Kirk Orr, provider at Orr Family Home at 1205 S. Bernard St., from the premises effective immediately. The home is no longer authorized to provide care, according to the state.

Orr can protest the state’s decision.

According to an investigation by the agency’s Aging and Adult Services Administration, Orr said the elderly resident believed he was her husband and “wanted him to be intimate with her.”

Orr allegedly said the behavior occurred more than once. A state investigator said the resident was “not able to engage in conversation and did not seem to recognize family members.”

The home cared for five residents ages 83 to 96. Three residents still remained in the home late on Thursday, a state spokeswoman said.

– Benjamin Shors