Check Washing: Protect Your Finances
Check washing is a type of fraud where criminals alter the payee and amount on a check, making it difficult to detect the changes. At TowneBank, we understand the importance of protecting your financial transactions, which is why we offer secure check printing services designed to safeguard your finances.
Our checks feature advanced security measures, including chemical protection and tamper-evident ink, making it difficult for criminals to alter your checks. By choosing TowneBank for your check printing needs, you can have peace of mind knowing your financial transactions have an extra layer of security.
What is Check Washing?
Check washing is a fraudulent practice where scammers alter the details on a check to steal money or sensitive information. This deceitful technique is often used to manipulate checks without raising suspicion. Understanding how check washing works and recognizing its signs can help you protect yourself from falling victim to this scam.
The process typically involves using chemicals or solvents, such as acetone or bleach, to remove the ink from a check, leaving the paper intact. The scammer then changes the payee name, amount, and sometimes even the account number to divert the funds for their own benefit. They can then cash the check or deposit it into their account.
There are several red flags to watch for that may indicate a check has been washed. Check the overall appearance of the check; if the ink appears faded or the paper looks worn, it could be a sign of tampering. Additionally, be cautious of irregularities in handwriting or discrepancies in the check's information, such as misspellings or altered numbers.
Protecting yourself from check washing scams is essential. One way to safeguard your finances is by using secure checks with features like chemical protection and tamper-resistant ink.
How to Prevent Personal Check Washing
Preventing check washing requires proactive measures. Here are some effective strategies to protect yourself from this type of fraud:
-
Electronic Payments can help prevent check washing.
Use Electronic Payments
Consider using e-check, ACH automatic payments and other electronic and/or mobile payments. -
TowneBank offers many different types of fraud prevention services
Use Fraud Prevention Services
Monitor your bank statements and report any suspicious activity. Enroll in electronic statement delivery to reduce the risk of mail interception. -
Use Online and Mobile Banking
Use Online and Mobile Banking
Use TowneBank mobile or online banking to access copies of your checks and ensure they are not altered and review your bank activity and statements for errors. -
Using pens with indelible ink can help stop check washing.
Use Pens with Indelible Ink
Use pens with indelible black ink so it is more difficult for a criminal to wash your checks. -
Using secure check designs can help stop check washing fraud.
Use Secure Check Designs
Choose checks that include advanced security features like chemically reactive paper, watermarks, microprinting, and security screens. -
Secure mailing methods can help to prevent check washing.
Use Secure Mailing Methods
Consider using certified mail or registered mail services, which provide tracking and require a signature upon delivery.
Protect Your Business from Check Washing
Protect yourself and your business from loss with TowneBank ACH Fraud Control and Check Fraud Protection services. You help to prevent check washing by using Positive Pay. With Positive Pay, you can pre-authorize checks for a specific amount by their check number.
Your experienced and knowledgeable Treasury team can help you find and implement the right protection solutions for your business. You can access these powerful tools through Business Online Banking.
Reporting Check Washing Scams
If you suspect you have fallen victim to a check washing scam, it is crucial to take immediate action. Reporting the incident can help prevent further fraudulent activities and aid in the investigation process.
Here are the steps you should follow to report check washing incidents:
1. Contact Your Banker
Contact your local banker and request copies of all fraudulent checks.
2. Contact Law Enforcement
Contact your local police department or sheriff's office to report the scam. Provide them with all relevant details, including any evidence you have, such as the altered check or suspicious mail.
3. Contact the US Postal Inspection Service
You can report online at uspis.gov/report or by calling 1-877-876-2455. You can also sign up at usps.com to receive daily email notifications of incoming mail and packages to better track any mail that could potentially be a check.