Business missing $250,000

COEUR d'ALENE - The owner of a Coeur d'Alene plumbing contracting business said he believes fraudulent checks have cost him $250,000 - possibly more.

Last month, a bank account for the business, located in the 2700 block of N. Howard Street, seemed "somewhat low," the owner told police, according to a police report.

This month, the owner noticed account funds were again lower than expected.

He went to his bank and obtained a statement which showed many checks issued that he didn't write. He told police he is the only person authorized to sign checks on behalf of the business.

The owner reviewed account records and copies of checks that had been processed through the company bank account, the police report said.

Several discrepancies were discovered for the years 2008, 2009, and 2010.

The owner obtained copies of what appeared to be fraudulent checks, including those that appeared to be forged and have duplicate check numbers, according to the police report.

He believes there are "many more" fraudulent checks that have been issued and he is continuing to investigate his own business files and bank account information, the report said.