For some con artists, certain scams never go out of style. Unfortunately for consumers, pyramid and Ponzi schemes continue to occur, warns the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI).

Fortunately, these scams can be detected by learning to spot the warning signs. The savvy consumer can avoid a bad deal – and reporting suspicious or unusual offers can help prevent others from falling victim.

The Ponzi scheme involves a ploy where earlier investors are paid with funds given by subsequent investors. Often in this scam, the supposed underlying investment is bogus. The con artist may pay out some money to the longer-term investors as “returns,” but it is often simply some of the money from new investors – the rest of the money goes to the Ponzi scheme leader rather than to any investment.

An Ohio County woman is facing theft charges in connection with the theft of thousands of dollars from a local bank.

Last Tuesday, Kentucky State Police charged 49 year-old Debra Hart of Hartford with one count of Theft By Unlawful Taking over $10,000 or more. (Class C Felony).

The investigation was initiated in May after officials with the Commonwealth Community Bank in Hartford noticed missing funds from their location.

The Ohio County Sheriff's Office seized marijuana plants worth well into six figures on Tuesday.  The pot plants were found in a wooded area in the southern part of the county.

A couple weeks ago, the sheriff’s office received a tip that marijuana was being grown in a wooded area off of Cool Springs Road. After investigating, law enforcement found over 100 plants, some of them six feet high.

"Someone early on had tended to these things, and with the rain we've got recently, they've shot up. We're estimating somewhere between $100,000 and $200,000," said Sheriff David Thompson.