POCATELLO — Pocatello Police Department officials sent out a warning Tuesday to let people know the act of stealing checks is on the rise.

    Authorities say they currently have several open investigations with regards to stolen checks and drained accounts.

    “Most of these cases could have been prevented if people secured their checks or disposed of them properly,” said Sgt. Nathan Dickemper in a news release. “Checks have been taken from where they were stashed and forgot, such as a bedroom drawer, a desk or taken out of the trash.”

    It is recommended that people do not leave blank or canceled checks in unlocked vehicles or lying around inside your home where people could possibly see them. In fact, officials suggest they be placed in a locked box of sorts.

    “A sound practice is to shred canceled and unused checks,” Dickemper added.

    Shredders can be purchased for personal use. Professional shredding services are also available. For example, banks and credit unions offer such services, according to the police.