Police say someone is cashing bogus checks across eastern Kentucky. So far, fake checks were found in Letcher and Perry counties, but police believe there could be more.

Police believe someone stole payroll checks and created fake banks and businesses, scamming grocery stores out of hundreds of dollars.

Manager Linda Krcak at the Jenkins IGA says something was fishy from the start. She says, "I noticed her first thing in the store because she looked totally out of place. She's taller than I am, very tan, has a northern accent."

She says Tuesday night was the first time this woman was seen in the store, but the payroll check was cashed as usual. When check was taken to the bank it was found to be fake. Krcak says, "Unfortunately, it wasn't worth the paper it was written on."

Police say the check looked very realistic at first glance, but had some major flaws. The bank listed does not exist, neither does the company or the street address.

"If we do not know the company or the person that is cashing the check, we will no longer be able to take them," says Krcak.

Police say there is a similar case at a Perry County grocery store.

Jenkins Police Chief James Stephens says, "At the Happy IGA a similar incident occurred. again with a payroll check, from a business that not there, from a street that's not there, from a bank that's not there."

Stephens says this check was cashed by a white man, but he is certain the two cases are related.

"It's a shame that a few people have to wreck a convenience for everyone, and that's pretty much what's happened," says Krcak.

Stephens says, "My advice to businesses, if it doesn't look good, if it just doesn't feel right, just don't cash it." He says cashiers and tellers should also ask for a photo ID to help prevent future scams.

Police say the Jenkins suspect is a six foot tall white woman with shoulder length blonde hair. She was driving a silver or gray older model four door car. Anyone with information should call police.