Check fraud is on the rise as criminals become more creative in stealing and altering checks. A common tactic involves stealing checks from mailboxes or robbing mail carriers to find valuable checks. Once they have a stolen check, scammers can wash it—removing the original ink—and rewrite it with a different amount or payee, allowing them to withdraw funds from your account.
While many banks or credit unions will reimburse you for stolen funds, the process can be time-consuming and cause financial strain in the meantime. Waiting for your bank to resolve the issue might leave you without access to your money for weeks or even months.
To minimize your risk, consider moving away from using checks altogether. Instead, opt for more secure forms of payment such as electronic transfers or money orders. If you must send a check, using a special pen—such as a Uni-Ball pen with Super Ink—can make it more difficult for scammers to alter the information on your check. However, it's important to note that these pens cannot fully protect against all types of check fraud, so it's always safer to explore other payment methods when possible.
Staying vigilant and informed can help protect your finances from check fraud and reduce your exposure to theft.