VIDALIA — Things seemed to come full circle in a bad way this week when two people were arrested in connection with a scheme aimed at exploiting the good name of a local charity.

The Concordia Christmas Charity Fund was started in 1988 after scammers collected money for charity and then left town with the cash, but this Christmas scammers reportedly used fake pre-printed checks with the charity’s name on them to exploit local businesses.

Tina T. Matthews, 23, 803 N. Magnolia St., Vidalia, and Herman Miguel Ceasor, 27, 490 Lincoln Ave., Ferriday, were arrested on charges of theft by fraud Tuesday.

Deputy Derrick Freeman arrested the two suspects after they allegedly attempted to cash fraudulent charity fund checks at a Ferriday business, according to a statement from the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The Concordia Christmas Charity Fund does not use pre-printed checks, and they do not give checks away, Fund Director Rena Pitts said.

“We give away toys, food bags and gift cards, and the gift cards are only given to children between 9 and 12 years of age,” Pitts said. “The only thing anyone gets over the age of 12 is a bag of food if they qualify.”

This is the first time anyone has tried to exploit the charity in this way, Pitts said.

“It is sad that, with our economy so bad, someone still wants to steal the donations others have given,” she said.

The charity did not lose any money in the scam because the bogus checks did not clear.

Local authorities were first alerted to the scam after two suspects other than Ceasor and Matthews reportedly each cashed $500 checks at a Ferriday business.

The sheriff’s office has warrants issued for the two initial suspects, statements said.

“Area businesses have to be extremely cautious year around, but particularly during the holiday season — which is a shame,” Sheriff Randy Maxwell said.

“The Concordia Christmas Charity Fund is totally run by volunteers and they donate hours and hours of their time to help others at Christmas, then criminals try to take advantage of their generosity, as well as take advantage of a community business that cashed their checks.”

Bond for Matthews was set at $10,000, while Ceasor’s bond was set at $5,000.