Show Combating Crime Of Check Theft Forgery The First Security Bank of Utah Is cooperating with the United States Secret Service In combating the crime of check theft and forgery During the past number of years the false endorsement and cashing of checks both commercial and and governmental has caused loss to retail merchants of ot this city and of ot the nation Whereas exact figures have not been released It is known that the annual loss is of such magnitude as to require extreme care on the part of or merchants In the cashing of ot checks for strangers Consequently as a public service of ot the First Security Bank E-ank of ot Utah it was announced today by Mr Byron F F. Wilde manager the tho bank has published a number of ot placards which are being distributed to retail merchants through through- throughout through through-I 1 out the state I These placards published in coopers coopers- cooperation cooperation I I tion with the United States Secret Ser Ser- Service Service vice Treasury Department also carry ser ser-I I the Insignia of that organization The placard displayed prominently by the recipient merchant serves a a. triple pur pur- pose ose Firstly it will bring to the pur-I pur at attention at- at attention attention of or the merchant the fact that I this crime condition is a serious one and that he must exercise e discretion and care In In- cashing strangers' strangers checks Secondly it Instructs the customers of the store to have complete and adequate identification prior to the requesting of ot the cashing of or any check Thirdly if It forcibly brings to the attention of ot the purchasing public the fact that they too should exercise care in their financial habits The United States Secret Service In I I permitting the publication of these I placards stated that the distribution of i them may be helpful in suppressing the forgery and fraudulent negotiation of Treasury checks The same of course I applies to commercial checks Mr Wilde Wildo stated that this project Is part of a continuing public service policy of ot the First Security Bank of Utah and that the placards are avail avail- available available able to all retail merchants requesting them I |