Check Fraud Is on the Rise: Ways to Protect Yourself
Paper checks may feel familiar, but they can be stolen, altered or copied. Criminals may change the payee or amount on a legitimate check—often called check washing—or use information from a stolen check to create counterfeits.
A few precautions can help lower your risk.
Consider Another Way to Pay
Always consider a secure electronic payment option instead of mailing a paper check. Before sending money, make sure you understand how the payment works and verify that the recipient is legitimate.
Mail Checks Carefully
Avoid leaving outgoing checks in your home mailbox, especially overnight. When possible, take them inside a post office, use an indoor collection slot or hand them directly to a mail carrier.
Pick up incoming mail promptly and consider having the post office hold your mail when you travel.
Fill Out Checks Completely
Use permanent black ink and write clearly. Fill in the entire payee and amount lines so there is less room for someone to add or change information.
Avoid writing unnecessary personal details—such as your Social Security number, driver’s license number or phone number—on a check.
Keep Checks Secure
Store unused checks in a safe place and do not carry more than you need. If checks are lost or stolen, contact River Bank & Trust promptly.
Be careful with old checks, deposit slips and other documents that display your account information. Shred them before throwing them away.
Review Your Account Activity
Check your account regularly and report unfamiliar checks or withdrawals as soon as possible. Email and text account alerts can help you keep up with important activity.
Enrolling in eStatements also gives you secure access to your statements through Online Banking while reducing the amount of sensitive financial information sent through the mail.
Be Cautious When Someone Sends You a Check
A check can appear in your account before the bank discovers that it is counterfeit or stolen. Be suspicious if someone sends you a check and then asks you to return part of the money, purchase gift cards or send funds to another person.
If the check is later returned, you may be responsible for the money you sent.
Common versions of fake-check scams involve:
- Online sales and overpayments
- Work-from-home opportunities
- Mystery shopping assignments
- Prizes or sweepstakes
- Requests to deposit a check for someone else
Something Doesn’t Look Right?
Contact River Bank & Trust promptly if:
- A check is missing or was paid to the wrong person
- The amount or payee has been changed
- You see a check you did not write
- You deposited a check and were asked to send money back
The sooner you report suspicious activity, the sooner we can help you take the appropriate next steps.