Check washing — chemically erasing and rewriting stolen checks — is surging. Learn how it works and the simple steps that make your checks nearly impossible to alter.
Check fraud has surged dramatically in recent years, with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) reporting a doubling of check fraud cases. The primary method is check washing: thieves steal checks from mailboxes or postal collection boxes, use common chemicals like acetone or bleach to erase the ink, and rewrite the check to themselves for a much larger amount. The original check number and your signature remain intact, making the fraud difficult to detect.
The most effective defense is also the simplest: use a gel ink pen. Gel ink penetrates the paper fibers rather than sitting on top of them, making it extremely difficult to wash without destroying the check. Ballpoint and felt-tip pens are far more vulnerable. Uni-ball 207 pens are specifically marketed for check fraud resistance and are widely recommended by fraud investigators.
Never leave outgoing mail containing checks in your home mailbox overnight or over a weekend. Thieves specifically target residential mailboxes in the early morning hours. Instead, drop checks directly at the post office counter or in a blue USPS collection box — and do so during business hours when the box will be collected the same day. Better yet, switch to electronic bill payment for any recurring payments.
Enroll in USPS Informed Delivery so you receive daily previews of incoming mail. If you're expecting a check and it doesn't arrive, you'll know immediately. Also enable transaction alerts on your checking account so you're notified of every check that clears — a check clearing for an unexpected amount is an immediate red flag.
If you discover a washed check, contact your bank immediately to dispute the transaction. Under the Uniform Commercial Code, banks are generally liable for altered checks if you report them promptly — typically within 30 days of receiving your statement. File a report with your local police department and the USPS Postal Inspection Service, as check washing is a federal crime.
Safety 1st Editorial Team
This article is credited to Safety 1st Editorial Team. Safety 1st Consumer Protection has republished this content with attribution.