Today wraps up our three-part series on "Stolen Identities."

It's a topic that we're sure many of us in south central Minnesota really haven't thought much about until recently.

Many will recall last month's fraud scheme, in which more than $19,000 was bilked from local cash-checking agencies. Austin police have said five or six people were likely involved in cashing forged payroll checks from Quality Pork Processors. Police also said they believe the suspects left the Austin area shortly after the check cashing incidents occurred.

It's a shame that something like this happened here. But it should serve as an unfortunate wake-up call to local businesses and residents. Businesses are directly affected if they cash a bogus check, as they could be the ones stuck with footing the bill.

Residents shouldn't turn a blind eye to this problem either. We've seen how someone can take a payroll check and pretend they're somebody else. With a little more information, it probably wouldn't be hard for someone to take it a step further and obtain driver's licenses, lines of credit, you name it.

Residents and businesses need to stay vigilant and help combat this growing problem.