SAN DIEGO (CNS) - San Diego City Councilman Chris Cate urged prosecutors Friday to take a zero-tolerance stance on predatory scams involving fraudulent checks, particularly amid the COVID-19 pandemic when people may be especially susceptible to fraud.
In a letter sent Friday to California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, the councilman suggested removing the possibility of prosecuting Penal Code 476 -- which makes creating or passing a fake check a crime -- as a misdemeanor, increasing the fine amount and maximum jail sentence for those found guilty, and assigning additional Department of Justice resources to investigate check fraud complaints.