CHARLESTON (AP) -- Authorities say someone sent forged checks to South Carolina charities last month in a cruel Christmas hoax.
The Post and Courier of Charleston reports Wednesday the local Salvation Army received a fraudulent $25,000 check, which officials deposited and used to buy food and toys for about 100 families. The bank called a couple of days before Christmas to say the check had bounced.
Salvation Army Capt. Anthony Juliana said the loss could force the charity to cut back on efforts this winter to help people pay heating bills.
Charleston County Sheriff's detective Robby Colson said about a dozen area charities received the checks. Only the Salvation Army spent the money.
Colson said someone fabricated the checks and letterhead of a local company and used a closed account.
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