Check washing fraud. This happens when you mail a check, and a thief steals it from the mail. Then, a chemical is used to wash off the ink to make the check out to himself or an accomplice, usually for a larger amount. Here are a few tips to prevent this:
1. Avoid sending checks in the mail. If you must mail a check, mail it from the inside of the post office rather than from an unsecured outdoor mailbox.
2. Write the check using a pen that uses anti-fraud ink. If you search for "fraud prevention ink"online, you will find some for about $2 each.
3. Consider using automatic drafts or online bill pay for your regular payments, or make payments over the phone or computer using a bank card. Again, do this only for known payees.
4. Don't write checks to persons or businesses you don't know well. If your account information is copied from the check, fraudulent checks may be created using your account information.
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