What is check washing?
Traditionally, it’s been considered safe to use black or blue ink to write personal checks. But a new technique enables scammers to erase most types of ink, resulting in a new check fraud that’s on the rise. “Check washing” involves using chemicals to lift the ink off stolen personal checks, essentially giving thieves a blank check. They can then change the amount and the recipient to whatever they choose—at your expense.
How do they get my checks?These scammers typically target residential mailboxes late at night, looking for outgoing mail containing personal checks that they can steal and “wash.” Even local letter carriers and USPS mailboxes are at risk from having mail stolen directly from them. If you pay bills by mail, you will want to keep a close eye not just on your mailbox, but also on your bank account.
What should I watch for?
- Suspicious transactions on your bank account
- Cashed checks with recipients unknown to you
- Large check amounts that do not match your records
How can I protect myself from check washing?
- One of the easiest steps to take is to simply change pens. If you use a ballpoint pen or other traditional ink, switch to black or blue gel pens. The thicker consistency and chemical makeup of gel ink makes it more permanent and resistant to “washing.”
- Avoid leaving mail in your mailbox overnight. Place any outgoing mail in your mailbox earlier in the day, before your mail is picked up. To be extra safe, mail checks directly from the inside of the post office.
- Consider paying more of your bills online, reducing the number of outgoing physical checks. First National Bank of Mount Dora offers online banking and online bill pay for all personal and business checking accounts.
If you suspect that you have been a victim of check washing, or would like to discuss ways to keep your checking account more secure, call us at 352-383-2111.