Greg's Corner

Tagged: check fraud Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Geebo 8:00 am on March 26, 2025 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: bank fraud ( 28 ), check fraud, check washing ( 18 ), Scams ( 1,453 )   

  Washed Checks Drain Couple 

  

  By Greg Collier

  A couple in Boardman, Ohio, is the latest to fall victim to a growing financial crime known as check washing, according to local police. The pair was alerted by their bank on Monday to suspicious activity involving their account, after several checks totaling nearly $33,000 had been cashed without their knowledge.

  The couple reportedly believed they had written the checks for routine expenses, such as utilities and charitable donations. However, a closer look revealed a disturbing discovery. The payees and amounts had been altered, rewritten to entirely different individuals and inflated to larger sums. This manipulation is the hallmark of check washing, a type of fraud that has resurfaced in communities across the country.

  Check washing involves stealing legitimate checks from the mail, then using chemicals or other methods to remove the ink. Once the original information is erased, fraudsters rewrite the checks to different recipients and often for much larger amounts. Washed checks can be deposited or cashed at various financial institutions before the account holder becomes aware of the theft.

  In this case, the couple’s bank has confirmed that a significant portion of the stolen funds, just over $27,000, will be refunded to their account. However, the remaining $5,510 remains in question, with no guarantee of full reimbursement. This highlights a troubling reality for victims. Banks do not always recover or repay all stolen funds, especially if the fraud goes undetected for too long.

  To avoid becoming the next victim, experts urge consumers to minimize the risk of check theft and alteration. When mailing checks, it is safer to drop them inside a post office rather than leaving them in an unsecured mailbox. Using pens with permanent ink that resists chemical removal can make it more difficult for criminals to wash checks successfully. It is also important to monitor accounts regularly for unauthorized transactions and report suspicious activity immediately.

  As this latest case in Boardman shows, check washing continues to be a threat, one that can drain thousands of dollars in minutes and leave victims scrambling to recover. With banks not always able to restore the full amount lost, vigilance remains the most reliable defense.

   

  Leave a ReplyCancel reply
• 

  Geebo 8:00 am on August 16, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: check fraud, check washing ( 18 ), identity theft ( 110 ), mail theft ( 11 ), Scams ( 1,453 )   

  The resurgence of check fraud 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Writing physical checks might seem like an outdated practice. However, despite the decline in check usage, check fraud is not only persisting, it’s on the rise. Many victims of this crime may not even realize they’ve been targeted until it’s too late.

  Imagine receiving a notification from your bank that a check you wrote for a small amount was cashed for a staggering sum. Or worse, that multiple checks you never wrote are now linked to your account. Unfortunately, scenarios like this are becoming more common.

  Criminals have found new ways to profit from stolen checks, with social media platforms like Telegram becoming a marketplace for these illicit transactions. In one recent case, dozens of stolen checks from a specific area were found for sale online. The checks, all pilfered from the same vicinity, were bundled with personal information that was brazenly displayed for potential buyers.

  Once checks are stolen, they are often undergo a process called check washing. This process involves removing the original ink, allowing fraudsters to alter the payee’s name and the amount. These doctored checks are then sold to the highest bidder, often along with other stolen information such as driver’s licenses, and debit cards. The sheer volume of stolen checks has allowed criminals to operate openly, with little need to conceal their activities.

  To protect against check fraud, limiting the use of checks is advisable. If writing a check is unavoidable, it’s wise to avoid dropping it in public mailboxes, where criminals often strike. Instead, taking the check directly to the post office provides a safer alternative. Tracking the check’s progress can also offer peace of mind, ensuring that it reaches its destination without issue. Staying alert and monitoring bank accounts closely can help catch any unusual activity early, allowing for a quicker response if something goes wrong.

  Check fraud may seem like a relic of the past, but its resurgence reminds us that even in a digital world, old threats can still cause significant harm. By taking a few extra precautions, you can help protect yourself from becoming the next victim.