In my opinion, the check is the weakest link in the identity theft chain. If you pay for your bills with checks, please consider switching to online banking. For one, it is safer and two it is cheaper, especially considering stamps just went up to 41 cents and will most likely continue to increase.
Now that I got that off my chest, a lot of people still use the good old fashioned check to pay for their bills. Identity thieves and other cockroaches thank you because the process of checks washing gives them a very low tech, and relatively safe way to steal a victim’s money. No gun needed. Thieves steal mail on a regular basis, especially in large apartment complexes with community mailboxes. They target the outgoing mail bin, steal all the outgoing mail, fish through the bills, and locate all the checks for utility payments, or birthday checks, etc. Once they have your checks, it is washing time. Also, next time you pay the lawn guy or whoever with a check, an unscrupulous person could also increase the amount you paid them by doing a little washing. Senicle, I know but it is reality.
A thief will take the checks they have stolen; submerge them in an easily obtainable chemical, usually protecting the signature portion of the check. After some time, the chemical will dissolve away all the ball point ink from the check.
Next a thief will dry the check, re-enter a new monetary amount, and issue the check to a false identity they have conjured up, with corresponding fake identification to match. Presto!, that is what the call check washing and U.S. Banks lost around $700 million dollars in 2005 to check fraud. Does Leonardo Di Caprio and Catch Me If You Can (2002) ring a bell?
How to prevent check fraud/washing?
- Consider Online Banking- extremely safe, especially with encryption, and most banks offer the service for free. Online Banking is easy to set up and once your up and going you will never look back.
- Occasionally, you still have to write a check. If you do, please use a black gel pen instead of a ball point ink pen. I recommend you buy Uni-ball 207 ($2) which is designed to prevent check washing.
- If you still prefer to mail your payments, drop off your outgoing bills at your local post office.
Article: La Times Article: Check, Please Thieves Say
