Insurance commissioner warns of phony checks

SACRAMENTO -- Beware of fraudulent checks from the California Department of Insurance purportedly bearing the signature of state Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones.

Phony checks written for $2,000 and $5,000 have turned up in other states with the notations that they are for “payments” or “refunds,” the department said in a consumer alert.

The department does not issue such checks, the alert said.

Any consumer or business with questions about such checks should contact the Department of Insurance at (909) 919-2200.

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