The labour and social security ministry yesterday issued a warning to business owners to be on the look-out for fraudulent Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) cheques which are in circulation.

The ministry is advising that unscrupulous persons are presenting fraudulent PATH cheques to businesses for encashment.

The ministry says owners of supermarkets and wholesales, shopkeepers, merchants and other business owners should ensure that people encashing PATH cheques provide a valid form of identification.

Additionally, the ministry says business owners should ensure that they verify the authenticity of PATH cheques by paying close attention to their validation features.

The cheques should be printed in two colours - blue and burgundy - and business persons are being warned not to accept cheques unless these colours are present.

Additionally, when held at an angle, the security mark should be visible on the back of the cheque.

The ministry says people who have been presented with fraudulent PATH cheques should contact the nearest police station or call the labour and social security ministry at 1-888-CALL-PATH begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              1-888-CALL-PATH      end_of_the_skype_highlighting OR 1-888-2255-7284.