Writing and mailing checks has long been a standard way to pay bills or send money to family. However, that’s becoming increasingly risky due to a growing type of fraud called “check washing.”

Check washing occurs when criminals steal checks from the mail and then chemically alter, or “wash,” key check details, such as the payee or dollar amount. The fraudster then deposits the check at another financial institution and steals the funds before the account holder realizes what’s happened.

Signs to Watch For

• Unfamiliar checking transactions on your account.
• Missing mail, either items you were expecting or that you sent to someone else.
• Altered details on the check image posted to your account.

How to Protect Yourself

According to the American Bankers Association and the United States Postal Service, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk from check washing fraud. Electronic forms of payment, such as ACH, wire transfers, or credit or debit cards, can be a more secure way to send money or pay bills. Or, if you need to write checks, consider taking the following steps to protect yourself:

• Use black ink pens, which are more difficult to wash from checks.
• Avoid leaving blank spaces in any check fields.
• Don’t write personal details, such as your Social Security number, credit card number or phone number, on your checks.
• If you need to send a check in the mail, do so from a secure location, such as a letter slot inside your post office, rather than leaving it inside an unlocked mailbox.
• Get your mail promptly after delivery, and if you’re going to be away for an extended period, ask the post office to hold your mail until you return.

What To Do If You Think You’ve Been Impacted

If you believe you’ve been a victim of check washing fraud, take these steps right away:

• File a police report with your local law enforcement.
• Report stolen mail to the United States Postal Inspection Service: https://www.uspis.gov/reportundefined
• Contact us immediately to freeze your affected account.

How Bell Can Help

Bell offers a number of electronic tools to help reduce the risk of check washing fraud, including:

• Business and personal credit cardsundefined: The creditor and issuer of these cards is Elan Financial Services, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.
• Zelle®: A simple and secure way to send and receive money with friends, family or people you trust.
• Outgoing Wire Origination: We offer domestic and international wire transfers for both personal and business accounts.
• ACH Credit Origination: A service that allows businesses to electronically initiate payments and deposits directly through their online banking.
• Check and ACH Positive Pay: Bell’s Positive Pay services allow businesses to match checks they’ve issued and authorized against checks that are presented for payment, as well as identify specific businesses or vendors that can make electronic debits to their account. Businesses should work with their Treasury Management specialist to identify the right solution for their situation.

By using secure digital tools to send money, taking steps to reduce your risk when you need to mail checks, and staying alert for signs of fraud, you can protect your accounts from check washing fraud.