Watch out for fake gift checks

Watch out for fake gift checks

LAKE ZURICH -- The Lake Zurich police department says there has been an increase in the use of fraudulent American Express gift checks in $500 denominations in the Chicago area. American Express does not issue $500 gift checks, according to the police. American Express' highest denomination is a $100 gift check. Police said the counterfeiters have gone so far as to try to reproduce a security thread on the fake checks. Questions on the matter can be directed to the Lake Zurich Police Department Crime Prevention Unit at 847 540-3252.

Chamberlain buys Arizona company

ELMHURST -- The Chamberlain Group announced this week it acquired PTI Integrated Systems, based in Scottsdale, Ariz. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Established in 1979, PTI provides hardware and software solutions to targeted industries. The Chamberlain Group, based in Elmhurst, makes and markets access control products, including residential garage door openers, commercial door operators, residential and commercial gate operators, telephone entry systems and related access control products.

Brunswick reports 3rd quarter loss

LAKE FOREST -- Brunswick Corp. on Friday reported a third-quarter loss as it booked a $66.4 million charge to write down the value of some of its brands amid a drop in retail demand for outboard boats. But stripping out the write down and other one-time items, Brunswick beat Wall Street's expectations. The Lake Forest-based firm posted a net loss of $23.7 million, or 27 cents a share, compared with a year-earlier net profit of $50.4 million, or 54 cents a share. Stripping out special items in both periods, Brunswick said it earned 16 cents a share in the latest quarter, down from 48 cents a year earlier. Analysts on average had expected 12 cents a share, according to Reuters Estimates.