Check forgers now are using counterfeit checks similar to those of a local church.

According to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester, five checks totaling just under $9,000 were made to look like checks from First United Methodist Church, 122 North Eighth Street. Fortunately for the church, its bank did not accept the checks for payment, he said.

Forrester said that persons who had items for sale on websites were paid with the counterfeit checks and then told that they had been overpaid and to send the extra money with the merchandise.

Salina police are checking for a common information breach among recent forgery cases, he said.