A would-be payout at an Atoka bank has turned into a manhunt, with local police asking the public to help track down two men tied to an attempted counterfeit-check cashing at an INSOUTH Bank branch on Highway 51. The incident was reported on July 14, when a man tried to cash what investigators say was a fake check, then took off in a white pickup. Officers have pushed out descriptions of the suspected casher and the driver and are hoping someone in town recognizes them.
The attempt happened at the bank’s Atoka office at 10950 Highway 51 South. The branch is listed on INSOUTH Bank's website as a full-service location in Tipton County, and the online listing includes a local contact number. The site identified by police sits along Highway 51, the main north–south corridor cutting through town.
Police Description And How To Help
According to an Atoka Police Department update, the man who allegedly tried to cash the check is described as an unknown white male, about 5'9" and 180 pounds, with short reddish-brown hair and a full beard. Investigators say he was last seen wearing a blue long-sleeve button-down shirt, blue jeans and tan shoes.
The driver is described as an unknown Black male with a dark complexion and thick dreadlocks, wearing a white T-shirt. Police say he was behind the wheel of a white 2026 Toyota Tacoma, reported to be a Hertz rental, with Tennessee plate 759BRSR. The truck was last spotted heading north on Highway 51.
Investigators say a similar counterfeit check was successfully cashed at an INSOUTH branch in Millington, and the case in Atoka has been logged under number 2607140001. Officers are asking anyone who recognizes the men or the vehicle to come forward.
How The Scam Works And What To Watch For
Fake checks can be convincing, complete with real bank names and logos, and they often clear at first. The catch is that it can take banks weeks to flag a forgery, which means money that looks good in your account can later vanish once the check is bounced back.
The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers never to use funds from a check to send money to someone else and advises filing a complaint at ReportFraud.ftc.gov if you suspect a fake-check scam. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center accepts online fraud reports, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service urges victims to contact postal inspectors if the mail played any role, so both agencies could be relevant depending on how a particular scam is pulled off.
What Police Say And What Comes Next
Police have not said whether any arrests are on the board yet in connection with the attempted cashing in Atoka. Counterfeit-check and bank-fraud schemes that hit financial institutions can trigger federal charges under the bank-fraud statute, and 18 U.S.C. § 1344 allows for penalties that include fines and up to 30 years in prison.
Anyone with information, video or surveillance footage is urged to contact the Atoka Police Department at 901-475-4300, Investigator Amanda Swain at 901-837-5319, or by email at [email protected]. Police ask that callers reference case number 2607140001 so tips can be routed quickly to the right investigator.
