The White County Sheriff’s Office is reporting an increase in check fraud cases involving stolen and altered checks. Investigators alerted the public to the alarming trend in a recent social media post.
Known as “check washing,” investigators say thieves steal mail in bulk, looking for checks made payable to recipients. They then use chemicals to remove the payee and original dollar amount and rewrite the check to someone else for a higher amount.
To guard against this type of fraud, the sheriff’s office recommends using online banking whenever possible. If you must mail a check, use a non-erasable black gel pen and mail your check at the post office.
It’s also important to check your account regularly for any suspicious transactions.
More tips to protect your checks and mail
The American Bank Association and U.S. Postal Inspection Service offer these additional tips to protect your checks and mail:
Checks
- Don’t leave blank spaces in the payee or amount lines.
- Don’t write personal details, such as your Social Security number, credit card information, driver’s license number, or phone number on checks.
- Use mobile or online banking to access copies of your checks and ensure they are not altered. While logged in, review your bank activity and statements for errors.
- If your bank provides an image of a paid check, review the back of the check to ensure the endorsement information is correct and matches the intended payee. Criminals will sometimes deposit your check unaltered.
- Consider using e-check, ACH automatic payments, and other electronic and/or mobile payments.
- Follow up with payees to make sure that they received your check.
- Don’t let delivered mail sit in your mailbox. Collect your mail daily as close to delivery time as possible. If traveling, ask a trusted friend to collect your mail or have the post office hold it until you return.
- Sign up for informed delivery at usps.com to alert you to incoming mail and packages.
- Consider buying security envelopes to conceal the contents of your mail.
- Contact the sender if you don’t receive the mail you were expecting.
What to do if you’re a victim?
If you become a victim of check fraud, you’re advised to immediately contact your bank, local law enforcement, and the U.S. Postal Inspector’s Office at uspis.gov/report or call 1-888-876-2455.
Financial experts also recommend contacting the credit reporting agencies.
