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Since EMV chip technology and real-time alerts have made it harder for criminals to swipe your debit card info, the bad guys have switched gears—now they’re targeting checks. With mobile deposit apps making it easy to deposit checks without stepping foot in a bank, fraudsters have found a new playground where they can slip under the radar. If you’re not careful, you could easily get played.
One sneaky tactic is mail theft—crooks are grabbing your mail straight from your mailbox or even USPS drop boxes. If you’ve sent checks by mail, they’re at risk of being stolen and “washed.” Check washing is a slick trick where thieves use chemicals to erase the ink on your check. Then, they rewrite it, putting their own name on it and sometimes even hiking up the amount. Imagine you mail a $1,000 mortgage check, and suddenly a crook rewrites it to themselves—and pockets your money while your mortgage still goes unpaid. Don’t let this happen to you.
1. Use Positive Pay if You Can
For business owners, Positive Pay is a powerful tool. It’s like having a watchdog on your account to compare your checks against a list you provide. If something fishy pops up, you get a heads-up to approve or deny it. This quick action helps stop fraudulent checks before they clear. Talk with CNext about setting it up—it’s a solid shield.
2. Write Checks with Fraud-Resistant Gel Pens
Regular pens are an open invitation for check washers. Gel pens, however, lay down ink that resists those chemical tricks by turning solid quickly after writing. Using one can make your checks much harder to tamper with.
3. Avoid Mailing Checks Whenever Possible
Every time you drop a check in the mail, you risk it getting stolen. Instead, opt for secure online payments. If mailing can’t be avoided, consider getting a USPS lockbox or drop your mail at the post office to keep it safer.
4. Stay on Top of Your Account Every Day
Thanks to mobile and online banking, checking your account is easier than ever. But don’t just glance at balances—review check images carefully. Fraudsters might keep the amount the same but change the payee name. Spot anything off? Contact your bank immediately to stop the damage.
Stay alert, use the right tools, and protect your hard-earned money from check fraudsters. Check out other safety tips at cnext.bank/blog or talk to one of your CNext bankers.
