WALTON COUNTY, FL — A Fort Lauderdale man, Brandon Loud, 32, has been arrested for his alleged role in a $505,400 check fraud scheme involving a Walton County utility company. Loud remains in custody at the Walton County Jail with bond set at $100,000, following an in-depth investigation by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau.
The case began when a Santa Rosa Beach utility company reported that a check mailed on August 4, 2025, to a legitimate vendor had been stolen and altered. Instead of reaching the intended payee, a counterfeit version made payable to Loud was deposited into his JPMorgan Chase account on August 5.
“Cases like this demonstrate how quickly financial crimes can escalate into six-figure fraud,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “We want residents and businesses to stay vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their financial accounts.”
Surveillance footage from a Chase Bank in Minneapolis, Minnesota, identified Loud as the person who deposited the fake check. Further investigation uncovered two additional stolen checks worth $200,000, deposited into accounts belonging to identity theft victims. Loud now faces grand theft charges exceeding $100,000.
Fraud Prevention Tips from the Sheriff’s Office
Review all bank accounts weekly for unauthorized activity.
Enable two-factor authentication on online banking.
Respond promptly to alerts about unusual transactions.
Report any fraud immediately to your bank and local law enforcement.
Close unused accounts to reduce risk exposure.
Never share banking details, especially with people met online.
Sheriff Adkinson emphasized that financial crimes like check fraud and identity theft have far-reaching consequences for both residents and local businesses. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office continues its investigation and urges anyone with information to contact the Criminal Investigations Bureau.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting the community, preventing financial crimes, and supporting victims through proactive enforcement and public awareness.
