Do you Practice Safe Checks?
How to Prevent Check Fraud
- Avoid Blank Spaces.
- Withold Personal Information.
- Review Accounts Regularly.
- Check Your Checks Regularly.
- Use Digital Payment Options.
- Use a Gel Pen.
Why Should I Use a Gel Pen?
One of the most common scams is check washing. Criminals steal checks from mailboxes or postal drop boxes and use chemicals to remove the ink. They then rewrite the check to themselves—often for a much larger amount.
Using a Gel Pen Matters!
- Penetrates deeper into the paper than standard ballpoint ink.
- Resists many of the solvents used in check washing.
- Is harder to alter or forge.
Be wary of red flags
- You’re pressured to log into or send money with payment apps.
- You’re contacted out of the blue, asked to act immediately and keep it a secret.
- You get a text that includes a suspicious link.
- You’re emailed an attachment that you weren’t expecting.
- You’re asked for personal information like your PIN number, passwords or Social Security number.
