How to foil check washing fraud before it costs you thousands

[@roberthurley6860]

All these stories have one thing always in common....the bank's initial unwillingness to do the right thing until media gets involved. And an apology at the end just doesn't cut it.

[@HikingWithCooper]

If a bank accepts it, they should own it. They can check funds. We can't.

[@acornsucks2111]

What did you expect?

[@noble604]

I write my checks with a Sharpie. Some say these checks won’t be accepted by banks but I have yet to have a check written with Sharpie ever returned.

[@michaelmeyers3664]

I use a (Mark's Alot) the ink soaks into the paper does not sit on top like a ink pen.

[@Thelby1]

The Bank should give you your money back WITH INTEREST!!!

[@NYPATRIOTBX]

Banks wont help getting your money back, but want bailouts when they make poor financial decisions with your money.

[@donaldreason5664]

B.REASON Sooooo... That would be us paying us to get our money back. Through the bank.. So we .. In essence .. Pay the bank double our money to get half of our money back ??? They keep the rest...

[@NYPATRIOTBX]

@@donaldreason5664 like rats chasing our tails.

[@whyputaname]

"Banks won't help getting your money back" Not true.. Banks will help you get your money back. I had money stolen by a thief and reported it to the bank and they gave me my money back..

[@jmfia2391]

​@@whyputaname untrue. I had to write CFPB twice with BOA! They denied my fraud claims. But they worked. I never had to reach out to the news, but I will now that I see she can help people.

[@samthepoet107]

@@jmfia2391 I wrote to CFPB back in 2018 regarding Schwab Bank. They closed my account while I was overseas. I only found out they closed it the day I flew out of the country. I had zero in my checking account when I went to the ATM to withdraw money in Laos. Republicans want to close down CFPB because it's an agency that works to protect the American banking consumers not the banks. People in this country need to wake up and realize that the people they vote for are not looking out for their interests.

[@rudysalas9138]

Why is it that media outlets have to get involved for customers that got defrauded to be able to get their money back? All banks needs to take extra security measures and help their customers, not the thieves.

[@Rizky06]

Banks = You Hold The Bag Not Us Police = Don't Care Unless You Can Prove It.

[@roachtoasties]

This happens a lot. The banks try to blame the customers for all sorts of fraud and leave them holding the bag. The customers then end up contacting their local TV station. The banks then refund the money because of the bad publicity. Unfortunately the local news shows don't have time for everyone's, or the whole one hour broadcast would be nothing but this stuff.

[@jimwall2291]

To be fair, the bank wasn't really at fault. The check was stolen from the post office drop box.

[@Eshabee]

@@jimwall2291 yeah but the customers is not at fault either

[@0011peace]

@@jimwall2291 The post office is at fault but you can avoid this by mot using checks Stop using snail mail its the leasrt secure way to send money. If you cn use cedit/debit card or if you can gop in peson with cash

[@Epicface888chu]

These people who stole people checks and alter it should be in jail and need to pay restitutions plus interest.

[@KB-ke3fi]

Sure.

[@worldview730]

Prevent defense is to make an example out of them

[@sheerluckholmes5468]

Ya think?

[@iamanovercomer3253]

This is NY where there's NO bail or bond and a number of prisons were shut down by the dirty state government and not to say who the state is releasing from prison ‼️ This is something that the blue states are good for ‼️

[@iamanovercomer3253]

​@@JohnVanSickle-mf6ri sure in NY... wishful thinking... NY government has no respect for the law bidding citizens.... I love your idea though

[@Camperman1951]

This happened to my sister. Lucky for her she used checks with carbonless copies and had proof of the check before it was altered. She also reported it to the USPS and local sherrif's dept, who did absolutely nothing, even after we found out who the criminal was and found her facebook account.

[@tylerkent100]

Me, too. I reported the theft to police. Even had the criminal's bank account number, because he deposited the check. Bank was cooperative, but Police did nothing. NOTHING.

[@LuathapdansuGiauCo]

My cousin had same situation, but when she went to the police they didn't make any record for her with the reason she needs to get information from the theft

[@aa-hj2fd]

The cops won't help because they have to work. There is no violence or other incentive for them to get off their lazy butts.

[@armageddonready4071]

If there isn’t money for the DA and cops to get some from investigating, they won’t care. There needs to be a threat, or money involved for the bottom feeders to get off the couch and pull up their pants.

[@tabbott429]

I had a debit card hacked at a gas pump. i knew it happened and the police didnt care. My bank refunded the stolen 320$ after a few days.

[@pottawatomie2]

How about making the check paper sensitive to any cleaning agents so that the check is destroyed if tampered with?

[@karlabritfeld7104]

Oh yeah like that won't cost anything

[@spazzman90]

Made out of toilet paper perhaps?

[@the_phuckery_is_real7252]

Sharpie also makes pens, that are unwashable specifically for this issue! Your check might get stolen but it won't be washed!

[@mistermylo8607]

@@spazzman90 😅😂

[@TheSiriusEnigma]

Some check stock and some inks react to washing agents. The problem is that no such ink is available in pen format.

[@bettina1223]

The post office needs to take more responsability and make those stand alone mailboxes "fishing proof"

[@bogey19018]

Ours you can only open up about an inch or so.

[@babyshaya]

99% of these are perpetrated by USPS employees

[@verawallace9055]

I send a cheque to my nursery today via priority mail ,it almost cost me ten dollars but I did so I didn't have to worry if they received it ,A cheque I mail on Christmas to my friend for her daughter I had to cancel costing me thirty dollars, another friend told me yesterday she mail a bill to light company and they did the same thing like what was reported here for a thousand dollars ,same bank also

[@karlabritfeld7104]

Not going to happen

[@frizzlefry1921]

​@@verawallace9055 cashiers checks.

[@patmcbride9853]

The unfortunate fact in these stories is that someone got that money and no one worked hard to catch them. They should be in prison.

[@beckyyoung2173]

You forgot the most IMPORTANT tip of all... TAKE A PICTURE OF ALL YOUR CHECKS BEFORE SENDING THEM OUT!

[@VickiBowers]

That sort of thing has been going on here in North Texas, too, and it’s gotten so rampant, that the post offices nearest my house have REMOVED their outdoor drop boxes! Had it taped off with yellow caution tape so you couldn’t drive by and drop off mail, and now they’re just completely gone. You can walk inside to mail a letter, but no more drive-by Mail Drop off. What a state of the world when such a thing is so common. And yes, I too am shocked that the banks have been so uncooperative.

[@jimfesta8981]

Unfortunately, these banks failed to act until they were under media scrutiny, then they apologized all over the place.

[@toastnjam7384]

Except for one bill I pay almost everything online. A couple of months ago I tried to drop off a check at the PO drive thru mailbox, but I noticed the inside was lined with a sticky tar like substance. I couldn't believe they would do this at a mailbox at the PO. I dropped off the letter inside and reported it.

[@tonysimmons647]

We paid on line too until our phone was hacked. They stole $1500 from our CHECKING ACCOUNT. We closed that account and changed our phone number. Don't use your phone for any financial dealings. Period.

[@0011peace]

@@tonysimmons647 usingf credtcard is better ytou have mx liabilty of $50

[@phsouzabr]

​@@tonysimmons647 online = internet, not phone line

[@leev4206]

Mr. Souza: smartphones (iPhone et al) = internet access = online banking etc.

[@Emation7]

@@phsouzabr Someone can have their phone number spoofed so that the text messages for the banking two factor authentication is intercepted. I think that’s why they changed their phone number.

[@silversurfer806]

You can't trust the post office either. I had a check stolen within the post office two years ago. It was a postal worker that worked there. It was my mortgage. Luckily the bank canceled the check. I haven't sent anything through that post office since. They have several bad reviews on line all stating that a thief works there.

[@celita8183]

That should also be reported to the local news station in your biggest city! I wrote a few letters of complaint to the Local Post General Master for mutilated mail in my area and months later I'm still waiting for a response. I did what I could but switched our po box to a new town come renewal time.

[@worldview730]

the whole system is dysfunctional

[@samthepoet107]

@@celita8183 the local post office don't do much. I call the national post office number in Washington. When they get a call from Washington it's like the president of the United States calling them so they swing into action. I even told the local manager here if his post office were a private business they would be out of business. They keep losing packages or report that they were unable to deliver or leave in a safe space. I've had times where they claimed they left package with individual all untrue. Then when I called Washington they contacted the local post office and found my package by contacting the driver or the carrier.

[@celita8183]

@@samthepoet107 appreciate the tip, I'll share it w the DC office too.

[@iamanovercomer3253]

I heard of a guy who had his expensive 🎸 stolen from UPS and it was insured but UPS gave him a hard time.... one of UPS employees stole the 🎸

[@2000spqr]

the thieves could be the post office employee that is doing it.

[@only_2_genders]

Or a new illegal arrival?

[@Ms_T_Perfectly_Imperfect]

Wow, I was in the bank just last week and heard a customer complaining about this very issue. These criminals find new ways to steal everyday! Thankfully the news was able to help in these cases.

[@Jon.......]

This is actually a very old way of stealing.

[@1jw298]

Yeah, this was happening back in the early 90’s. I had a family member that did prison time for it.

[@iamanovercomer3253]

Yes they run for political office

[@donfranks2426]

I've had 2 checks washed both for large amounts,mailed inside the post office, l finally got my money back from the bank. The police caught the second guy.

[@wholeNwon]

That should be reported to the US PO Inspection Service.

[@TheSiriusEnigma]

2:15 no. You need pigment based ink. They don’t react to chemical washing. Uni-ball 207 is a perfect example. Also, always write the reason for the check on the comment line. “Electricity Bill” for 9000$ to a citizen? Unlikely. Last trick: don’t leave large amount of money in you checking account. Banks are not allowed to pass checks on any other accounts. Banks, as usual, are being lazy. They don’t bother.

[@jasonwojnicz]

Another thing you can do is have your bank generate the check. You call the bank, tell then who you are paying, how much to make the check for and where to send it. It costs $5 but it better than having your life's savings wiped out.

[@jonnyl2001]

A cashier's check you mean?

[@williamwilson6499]

Or remember it’s 2023 and send the money electronically.

[@theirmom4723]

@@jonnyl2001 or a Banker's check

[@g.t.richardson6311]

My bank does it for free and mails it as well for the couple places that don’t take online payments or charge you a fee

[@HeronCoyote1234]

I did this for the money I owed on my taxes.

[@NotYoung3592]

A duplicate check would prove things quicker. Those with a press down identical image underneath the check being written. Plus avoiding at all cost Chase and BOA.

[@luisatiburcio2977]

I take pictures of my checks. I don't really use checks but when I have to do it , I always take a picture of it before mail it.

[@Enjoylifetoday30]

Yes, carbon copy

[@CrossRoadsOfTime]

Certainly avoid BOA at all costs. I found out they don't process stuff in the order it comes but, wait for a batch to come in, then process from the largest down. and they don't just do this with checks but debit too. So that way they can maximize the amount of things that will bounce. I didn't have the problem of someone faking my check. but I had made a few smaller debits and then a larger check at the end. turns out i was off on my math. but had they processed stuff in order only the check at the end would of over drafted. but since they put that in first several of the smaller transactions over drafted and so they got multiple fees out of me. And I know there's no way they could of gotten the check first I didn't even write it out until after the smaller ones that where done via debit where made. so yea that was fun.

[@Rhaspun]

@Fred Wills Yes. That's what I'm thinking. I've always been careful watching how I spend my money. If I don't have the money for something I waited until it went on sale or I saved up money for it.

[@iamanovercomer3253]

Bank of America got busted for bad mortgages back awhile ago... not sure about chase

[@koleyw932]

I take my letters right to the post office, at their advice. They removed the drive through boxes outside, that's how bad it is here, and this isn't the ghetto.

[@tedlahm5740]

The thieves have the key to the blue boxes. The part I can not BELIEVE is that banks ACTUALLY cash the check (for cash) without knowing the person standing in front of them. (no account there) But they do, nationwide.

[@TheGamingJayM]

Must be a republican state

[@worldview730]

Can't trust anyone but God nowadays

[@worldview730]

@Fred Wills Oh, but I have met him

[@gorak9000]

"and this isn't the ghetto" uhhhhh, better check again, cause i think you livin 'in the ghetto"

[@HariSeldon913]

They should make the account and routing numbers on the check such that they would be wiped out with the same chemicals used for washing. Wouldn't be foolproof, but it would make it more difficult for the scammer.

[@catlink8998]

Those are a special magnetic ink designed for machines used by banks in order to route checks quickly. Every bank depends on that ink.

[@LoveClassicMusic0205]

@@catlink8998 Not really anymore. Today they use OCR technology to read the MICR information. You will notice that they no longer encode the dollar amount in the lower right corner of the check. The bank where it was deposited used to do that before sending it through the sorting machines back to the originating bank.

[@catlink8998]

@@LoveClassicMusic0205 Thanks for the updated info. It's been at least 20 years since I've received cancelled checks back in a statement.

[@Fred-mp1vf]

The criminals would eventually learn to just put tape over the numbers.

[@l.c.boogie1219]

Why does it always take for companies to be exposed on the news for them to decide to move smh ?

[@Iceyfire12]

Because most companies don’t want to lose money they rather lose the customer not the money!

[@Enjoylifetoday30]

Without giving too much info, that is the best option sometimes. I work for a bank and you have to do what you have to do to get results

[@worldview730]

Because they don't profit from others misery

[@nunyabitnezz2802]

Here’s the actual best tip : write your check with a “Sharpie” thin point magic marker. It will bleed through to the back of the check, making it impossible to erase or wash without destroying the check itself. That way, if your check is stolen, it will just be thrown away by the badguy, instead of being used to defraud you. But don’t write on the part of the check that will impact the place on the back where the recipient endorses it. You can draw an arrow with a regular pen on that part of the line. And yes, mail everything at a real US Post Office, never ever in a neighborhood mailbox.

[@wholeNwon]

Just use a Uniball 207 pen. Impossible to wash.

[@ae2948]

alcohol dissolves sharpies without a trace. Doesn't matter if it seeps through the paper.

[@wholeNwon]

@@ae2948 Therefore the Uniball 207.

[@phoebusapollo4677]

Send a complaint to your state’s Attorney General’s Consumer Protection division. I do that and have never been disappointed.

[@celita8183]

I'm still waiting on a response from two months ago on misleading bank advertisements - how long did you wait for a resolution?

[@eckankar7756]

I've never heard of this!!!! I do pay everything I can online. Good idea to mail the checks from the PO. Crazy, you just have to be so diligent to not be ripped off

[@TheFrenchPug]

This was rampant years ago before all of the online payment options.

[@texchu8331]

Some banks also have an option to mail a check if the recipient doesn't have online billpay, and the bank's check has all those security measures on them.

[@koleyw932]

Just new ways of highway robbery.

[@dathyr1]

Yes, Thieves now days are getting bolder and even attack post office workers to get their mail. Very sad world we live in now.

[@wholeNwon]

Really? New to the Country?

[@stoundingresults]

In most post offices there is a mail drop inside, that's the only box I use. And keep an eye on your balances and withdrawls. My boss was a victim of check washing, missed an insurance payment and received a call.

[@rogerrosen2323]

new boxes are tamper proof not like many years ago alos they cant be booby trapped how can they know the balance in account to make the check much higher and they would be ided when the deposit it

[@tpp4007]

This has happened to me when I put my mail in my mailbox. Now, I drive to the United States postal service and put my mail inside their building. I got my money back from my bank, but wow, it’s crazy.

[@nickv4073]

Why do you mail checks in the first place? Its the year 2023. Stop living in the 70's.

[@Eshabee]

@@nickv4073 it doesn’t really matter because if you deposit it by using the new features you still not protected, it’s been ppl using mobile banking and they still find a way to steal 🥴

[@nickv4073]

@@Eshabee This video is not about depositing checks. Its about writing and mailing a check. Was that to difficult to comprehend?

[@wownewstome6123]

Frank Abagale, Jr. teaches FBI agents about fraud. He recommends the inexpensive pen: Uniball 207, available "everywhere". He demonstrated it not washing off in a chemical bath.

[@tiamat9149]

Criminals have figured out how to defeat the Uniball 207 now using new washing chemicals, and now they just scan your check in and print a new one.

[@mcconn746]

This happened to us probably 30 years ago. The check was so messy that I could not believe the store accepted it. Our bank charged them back so we did not lose any money. Fortunately the 2 checks were not for much money.

[@cathypurnell9331]

This happened to me, but I bank with Chase. Chase called and notified me of the possible attempted fraud. Thanks .

[@silkcitysocialist420]

If you have to write a check before sending it take a picture of the front of it. I haven't written a check in so long I can't remember the last time. I don't even order checks. Everything I pay online

[@Ratlins9]

I love the advice of reporting this type of crime to the USPS. They can’t perform their primary task of delivering mail to the correct address.

[@ignaciorlimon1]

If you have to send a check have it signed for, you get a tracking number with it and know when it arrives. You can also have it set up that they have to present their ID to pick up otherwise USPS won't release it. I'd also take photos of the check before you send it off.

[@warriormanmaxx8991]

Hey @Iggy Limon - do you have any OTHER clever ideas in your back pocket ?!?

[@stevebabiak6997]

These checks are stolen from the USPS collection boxes or delivery boxes. Apparently those boxes in a given area are all keyed the same, and a thief just needs to get a working key. Former post office employees might just cooperate in supplying such a key …

[@luciamixon4156]

I take a picture too. I can't wait to pay off a balance transfer. This bank has a widget set up account situation I don't want. Then everything is online and /or via phone debit payment.

[@JMcMillen]

The issue is that most bills are sent to a PO box and nobody will be there to sign for it. They pick that stuff up in bulk to take to their own payment processing center where machines handle 99% of the work.

[@notlisteningwhocares8877]

Thank y’all for helping them .

[@SkinniJ]

Your welcome, what’s my reward?

[@Mansikkacake]

@@SkinniJ knowledge.

[@tanall5959]

Better than black gel pens: Use an ultra-fine tip sharpie marker. That nearly soaks completely through the paper. It is literally impossible to wash without being obvious it happened as you would need to so thoroughly bleach the paper as to destroy most of the anti-tamper features on modern checks.

[@someguy9778]

Yes. That's what I use. You can also pay extra for the security checks.

[@Fred-mp1vf]

The best pen to use, according to Nevada State Bank channel, is the Uniball 207.

[@TimothyStclair-v4p]

that's what i use.

[@Maggie-tr2kd]

@@Fred-mp1vf Yes, my CPA recommended the Uniball 207 pen to me that has anti-fraud gel ink. He felt so strongly about it that he gave me one of these pens on the spot. Since then, I buy these pens by the dozen.

[@hatsandboots]

@@Fred-mp1vf Thanks. I've been using blue gel pens. I'll switch to the Uniball 207.

[@tominmtnvw]

Neither bank would have Come through without this story. Good work! Shame on you, chase, and citizens.

[@esils]

The person trying to cash fake checks should be on video at the bank🤔

[@susettehorspool2646]

If they go to a bank. The one that stole from me went to a fast cash place.

[@ThuyNguyen-ec1rb]

Print fingers would help too ,for both deposit and cash out

[@HRodz-eipx]

They can also you use an app to make the deposit.

[@celita8183]

​@@jbrown4137 Thumb prints were a thing for a while for non customers cashing checks but not sure if it's still common. I remember the tellers would have round ink pads at each window but these days most places encourage you to have an account in house to deposit the check and use the normal clearing house methods to avoid scammers. If you produce sufficient ID you can cash a check at a bank where you don't have an account but that's the scammers angle, just enough to cheat the teller, bank and unsuspecting victim.

[@celita8183]

@J Brown That's great! Many banks will, however, cash a check w only valid ID fir non-customers. It's a tellers discretion, and check cashing services are even less scrupulous.

[@markedwardmarshall]

The advice is … 1) Do not write check unless you have no alternative 2) Use permanent ink (can get from Amazon) 3) Drop envelope at post office and not a stand alone mail box 4) Take a picture of the check so you can show the bank what it looked like before it was altered

[@JohnS-er7jh]

getting the Uniball 207 ink pen will prevent check washing (the ink from that pen cannot be washed off).

[@azoreanprincesa8170]

Why not just pay your bills over the phone on there due dates, do automatic payments or pay online.

[@debralarrabee4530]

Going into a post office and putting outgoing mail in the slot there does NOT prevent the check washing. I mailed a check of less than $100.00 to my garbage company inside a post office in Houston, Texas in December 2021. About 2 weeks later I was checking that account online as I always do and discovered the payee was an individual and the amount was changed to $20,000.00. I immediately notified the fraud department at my bank, filed a fraud report online postal service and filed a police report. I had to close the affected account, open a new one, wait a month for the bank to do their investigation. I did get my money back, but changing auto debits and deposits was a major pain. Now I pay everyone online or hand them a check in person. And I check all my accounts weekly.

[@williamrudolph3481]

You actually keep $20,000+ in a checking account. Are you sure you are NOT a criminal?

[@Winstonrodney6989]

This happens to my mother. In her case it was someone inside the bank that committed the fraud with the check. The authorities refused to investigate and just said this happens all the time just be glad you got your money back.

[@rogerrosen2323]

a person risks 20 years for a few thousand

[@crazyknarf]

If you noticed about the checks are they are standard stock. I use a special stock of check that has images on the background of the checks. If the check gets 'washed" the images goes away and it shows VOID all over the place. never use standard checks, Use Gel pens that have pigment that will be almost impossible to "Wash" off the check.

[@wholeNwon]

Those are Uniball 207 pens.

[@roachtoasties]

Happened to me and I used a permanent ink marker. They added an extra digit to the left, making a $50 check a $850 check. Wells Fargo refunded my money but made me get a new checking account. Since a lot of these altered checks are mobile deposited, making the check as alter proof as possible may not work when the bank is just looking at a photo.

[@ELLABandz4o4]

You saying they mobile deposit and it clears ?

[@nunyadambusiness3530]

@@ELLABandz4o4 at one point I did the mistake of taking a check from my sister who has a bad criminal history, I renovated her room and she wanted to pay me with a check, which I didn’t think twice about, and I deposited it on my Regions app, the next day I was -$2000, let’s just say it got settled in court.

[@nunyadambusiness3530]

@@ELLABandz4o4 and I receive payroll checks from my employer, and because of frequent check fraud from Mobile Deposit, I used to bank with Navy Federal and they would take five days to give me the full amount of my money, I could only access $225.for the first few days, and then that’s why I switch to Regions, which gives me the money immediately, the risk being if you accept a check from someone you don’t trust or know, your account could be deeply put into the red. I am permanently with capital one bank as they verify checks before even processing them.

[@roachtoasties]

@@ELLABandz4o4 That's what happened to me. It was a mobile deposit of a check I wrote that was fished out of mailbox.

[@ELLABandz4o4]

@@roachtoasties did it clear or no money was taking out your account

[@stevebabiak6997]

For writing checks, get yourself Uniball Signo pens. To avoid check washing.

[@christopheroliver148]

Also Towbow black and blue rollerballs. I got these 'cos I like how they write, but was pleasantly surprised to find they don't wash.

[@LadyRustedKnight]

They DO make FINE tip Sharpies “The deep black indelible ink” like moms use for marking kids clothes that will not wash out!

[@Fred-mp1vf]

The Uniball 207 pen is best, according to my bank.

[@dollykalicharan957]

My parents was also a victim, also from chase bank . It was more thank 9,000 from September of 2022

[@celita8183]

Dolly, I would encourage you to look into editing your username here so it's not your full name. Unfortunately we have to be careful of what info we disclose about ourselves b/c people w bad intentions are always looking to take advantage and find a pattern. I hope your family was able to recover the lost funds and has since adapted new behaviors to avoid being targeted. It's a shame we can't have a more respectful society.

[@wholeNwon]

@@celita8183 Good !!

[@ekop1778]

NEVER GO TO OUTSIDE MAILBOX GO INSIDE A POST OFFICE DROP BOX

[@danielb3863]

Ppl are too lazy and addicted to comfort to do that

[@warriormanmaxx8991]

Hey @E Kop - do you talk in ALL CAPITALS in daily life, too ?!? or repeat information already heard from another wiser source?? ehhh?

[@yummm8775]

It won't matter... Post office workers are also thieves and that's a fact.

[@MC-pz3ps]

I know it's still on the books, but Mail fraud at one time was a crime that was prosecuted, with serious sentences in prison.

[@celita8183]

The post office is still not doing well.

[@FC-qe1wl]

Sometimes what is needed is the old ways, such as cutting off one hand each time you are convicted of theft....

[@MC-pz3ps]

@@FC-qe1wl They would be a lot of people with no hands anymore. But I know that would cure the theft.

[@thehunterx1973]

Thief will find a way to steal your money no matter how you pay your bills online or checking just have to check your statement all the time

[@mikeslater6246]

Checking your accounts daily is the best way. Waiting for a statement can give them 30 to 45 days to cover their tracks. With online access to my account so I can see all activity and I turn on all my notifications to let me know when there's any activity in my accounts.

[@williamrudolph3481]

Pay in CASH.

[@tombanes]

Even when I transfer funds electronically, there’s still a 10 day hold on the funds. I don’t know why they wouldn’t give these people their money back directly without having to go through all this.

[@HeronCoyote1234]

This happened to me as well. But my bank, Citizens, returned the money immediately. I noticed a withdrawal of, then deposit for $8800.00. Huh? I looked at the image of the check. My $18 check had been stolen and washed for $8800. I also found out that the other check I mailed that day, at the mailbox down the street, never made it to my auto insurance carrier. I stopped the check, and paid in person. I will never write another check, unless I am handing it to the person, like my dentist. Lesson learned.

[@jogmas12]

Use pigment based ink pen or pay on line

[@HeronCoyote1234]

@@jogmas12 I pay on line, have my bank send a bank cheque, or hand the check to the person (dentist, in this case).

[@jogmas12]

@@HeronCoyote1234 ok, but if they washed your check you did not use a pigment based ink pen 🖊️. Check out the Uniball ink pens, they only $2.49 at Walmart for a pack of two. You see regular pens have dye based ink and are easily washed by acetone but pigment based pens embed their ink into the fibers of the paper and you literally have to destroy the check just to get the ink out.

[@JJones-nf9ce]

A safeguard banks could implement is to start having their customers set a maximum dollar amount they will cash before they are required to contact the account holder to verify it is legitimate. To speed this up the customer could get online and put the recipients name and amount of the check so the bank won't be forced to call to verify

[@rogerrosen2323]

in this day its all e checks unless itsa one ime pay still rare this happens w all the checks coming tru whata bot a business sending a check they have computer checks a computer check can be alered

[@yummm8775]

Use a Sharpie (permanent ink) if you insist on using a check.

[@wholeNwon]

Only Uniball 207

[@DJcyberslash]

A Shame it takes a news organization in order for these bank's to do right by their customers

[@moonbabe57]

Take a photo of the check with a date and time stamp before you mail it.

[@AFloridaSon]

I barely use cash. I haven't written a check in years. But I guess sometimes it's still practical for some people, because I _have_ cashed a couple.

[@jinsetayinsei4146]

Banks: Oh no! The spotlight! Quick, give 'em their refunds!

[@darthjar9117]

It’s getting to the point where it’s safer to keep your money under the mattress.

[@bwenluck9812]

@darthjar9117. Sad, but true! We have become a nation of predators and grifters. The people who should be held accountable aren't being prosecuted--that's the only way to get this to stop.

[@celita8183]

Sadly we have to be very vigilant.

[@FC-qe1wl]

Yep tthat is what I do. Only keep enough in the account for the bills and on direct deposit day. Dont even trust a savings account...

[@davidholman48]

Excellent advice.

[@porscheguy3820]

Electronic payments and never ever keep much money in checking

[@warriormanmaxx8991]

@Porsche Guy - you "never ever keep much money in checking" due to you not having much money !!

[@ohkay7418]

When cops didn't investigate credit card fraud I know that this would just explode

[@BFG_10G]

I think the best way to prevent this is, if you are mailing a check, they should allow a means to take a picture of the check with the check number visible, so that they can know how the check looked beforehand. These people will be easily caught whenever they try to cash these checks after they look at the old footage.

[@williamwilson6499]

Don’t use checks. Period.

[@BFG_10G]

@@williamwilson6499 Impossible.

[@macforme]

LOOK AT OLD FOOTAGE????? makes no sense.

[@BFG_10G]

@@macforme What I mean is the footage you see AFTER the crime has been committed.

[@Sirstas79]

I had the same thing happen to me, not only they got a personal check but they also got a USPS money order. Both mailed at a USPS Blue Box. I was lucky to get the money form the check back, but the USPS denied returning the money order. Form that day forward, I am refusing to mail any payments though the postal system, its either going to be electronic or in person cash.

[@kapdolkim1914]

"Report it right away to the USPS so they can investigate". ---> Ha ha. Good humor. When we had clear video of a guy (with his work name tag and his name clearly visible) breaking into our condo mailboxes and rifling through the mail we called the USPS Inspector. He came out and was pissed we wasted his time. Had ZERO interest in doing anything even though he video AND the guys name and his employer.

[@DucTran-ce6mg]

Great news service! You're truly a champion for the victims.

[@aonforme3455]

The real headache is dealing with the un-customer friendly banks. All my checks, when absolutely needed, are dispatched directly from the bank. I let them take the risk for their own printed checks.

[@BasicYTHandle]

AND the bank pays the postage! (I use this same method.)

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

It's the people contracted to sort mail for the USPS that do this. Not some random person fishing checks out of a box. It's a huge issue.

[@stateofsurvival8457]

I can't remember when the last time I wrote a check

[@vanillasmerk5742]

I dont make interest but screw banks. I have $14,000 inside my toilet lid. Safest spot I know of.

[@mariehod4767]

workers at the BANKS are doing THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@LWRC]

Chase is absolutely one of the most dishonest banks out there! If it weren't for this investigative reporter, those folks wouldn't have gotten their money back - that's how Chase rolls!!!

[@tri-eye5554]

I use gel ink pens . I hear it's not washable

[@Chicago48]

Also, use a Permanent marker to write checks.

[@ianmaidment2258]

The disgusting banks are insured

[@mistermylo8607]

First mistake- banking with Chase Bank

[@mr.erikchun5863]

I dont understand why the banks dont review the video and see who is doing thi

[@celita8183]

Depends where it was cashed. I think banks do investigate but it takes time and with sooo many scammers, it's a slow process. What about check cashing places? I don't know if they are held to similiar accountability.

[@maienduo]

Why can't bank talk with the scamers bank and put these criminals behind bars

[@edgray4471]

Mailboxes - I know pick up times and never put anything in that will sit overnight. I have a very good relations with Wells Fargo Hercules branch. When this happened to me in 2014 the branch officers calmed me down and worked with corporate to have my money back the next day.

[@AlanEmmons-qw6bg]

They make billions in credit card interest and pay .01% interest on savings! There's a problem here and its not the customer!😡💸

[@bruintoo]

Who uses checks still?! If I see someone taking out a checkbook in the cashier line, I switch lines.

[@michaelmeyers3664]

I do!!

[@joefranks4235]

I write checks all the time.

[@diomedesmedina9900]

I was victim of this from the Post MailBoxes in the Bronx. I reported to the Police and the bank.

[@marymadeline9533]

They need to involve the IRS so they have the cashiers information and ID.

[@alexrodgers9247]

True! The IRS now supposedly has 87k new workers, great job for those weasels

[@Rizky06]

IRS only cares when you owe them money.

[@marymadeline9533]

@@Rizky06 they regulate everyone that gives or receives any money of 10k or more. Why should this one be any different Right? Unless they are in the Scam together. The bankers and Scammers. Laundering money now. It’s registered to someone as a check IRS always gets notified.

[@warriormanmaxx8991]

Hey @Mary Madeline - any other brilliant ideas you come up with, when getting up out of bed on the wrong side ?!?

[@marymadeline9533]

@@warriormanmaxx8991 nope I just don’t believe that that money can’t be traced to the thieves. IRS had our information and they don’t have theirs and yet it got cashed. I hope it doesn’t happen to you. I know if I was to do anything like that I’m hand cuffed.

[@jackvoss5841]

About a year ago, there was a video on KZbin about how to prevent this. Many stores stock the “Unit Ball 207 pen. It’s ink doesn’t wash off. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying

[@wholeNwon]

No, it's UniBall

[@jackvoss5841]

@@wholeNwon G’day, Whole. Thanks. I rechecked the package and saw that I had misread. A good product. Courtesy of Half Vast Fkying

[@wholeNwon]

@@jackvoss5841 Hope you never need its features.

[@shareefdaniels806]

Go inside Post office and put in slot. Do not put in outside mailboxes.

[@warriormanmaxx8991]

Hey @Shareef Daniels - do you often repeat what you see/hear on KZbin videos? Ever have an original thought?

[@shareefdaniels806]

@@warriormanmaxx8991 No this is my original thought coming from past experience. 🙂🙏

[@raphaelszok8561]

Do not drop mail in a outside box at the Post Office after pickup time and weekends. Going inside the post office to drop your mail in the box doesn't take much time to do.

[@d1redman]

Another tip take a pic of the check before mailing it

[@susandowler5271]

I am so grateful to the manager at citizens bank who called me and asked me about my check. She thought it looked unusal. The thief was arrested and she saved me from being swindled out of $2000.00. Thank you citizens bank in Wayne PA!!❤😊❤

[@philoctetes_wordsworth]

EASY! Never write a check. No problem.

[@wordman3624]

Okay, but scammers can also steal your money and personal information online.

[@dman357]

Don't know why people still use checks to pay bills. Use your banks bill payer service instead.

[@peter5.056]

I haven't used a check in nearly 20 years. They expose your bank information, and are by virtue of their security risk, obsolete.

[@JohnS-er7jh]

I have had cases where I didn't have a choice. I needed to renew US Passport and doing through the Mail, you needed to send a bank check. Also when I needed health insurance, the company only accepted written checks through mail (they had an online process system but it was broken and it was a small company, and i had no choice but to use this company as it was through former employer)

[@bgregg55]

We stopped using checks a long time ago when washing became a thing.

[@rocker76m88]

Why don't people just let the bank send out their checks. I save so much money on stamps, envelopes and checks doing online banking.

[@warriormanmaxx8991]

@rocker 76\m/ - have you tried doing a phone survey to find out?!? no one here knows the answer to the question.

[@joefranks4235]

There are some people who do not have internet service so banking online is not an option.

[@randolphtolbert3825]

So how do you foil check washing? Nine minutes into the video

[@ekop1778]

NEVER DO ONLINE BANKING-- EVEN WORSE SCAMMERS CAN VERY EASY STEAL IT

[@anonnymowse]

Pay online if you can.

[@yuka-gb4ij]

Honestly it should be required by the bank to further inspect these checks or even get a kit to check for the chemicals they use to remove the ink

[@Rizky06]

Banks do as little as possible = More Profit.

[@alb12345672]

The check paper should show signs of chemical alteration. Maybe it is not worth it for them.

[@yuka-gb4ij]

@@alb12345672 all it would take is a simple black light flash light lol maybe they want this stuff to happen

[@gristlybear615]

Do not write paper checks ever. Use your bank’s bill pay service -or- get a bank check.

[@vegasnights777]

That’s odd,I cashed a $7,000 dollar check and the bank teller instantly called someone to verify the check as I stood there.but I guess since I am black that’s the protocol when cashing a check.

[@jrizzle555]

You don't believe cashing a 7000 check deserves additional verification? Don't be dense.

[@kirbywaite1586]

How do you know " Jennifer" wasn't Black as well?

[@Rizky06]

Sounds good and should be the same for all races.

[@vicO1323]

It's 2023 and you're still writing checks. I'm old school and I finally stopped writing checks 10 years ago.

[@jonnyl2001]

First: writing checks is stupid Second: if you add a person to your online bill pay and they are not a business, the bank can mail a physical check to them, without your actual checking number and it's drawn off your funds available. Also its free. (This is at Chase at least)

[@warriormanmaxx8991]

Hey @Jonny Bravo - are you a clever genius much in daily life, too ... minus the "stupid" ??

[@tedlahm5740]

The bank mails a check for you to a person? Interesting. Thru the USPS?

[@yvonnesantiago7637]

I had to write a check and took your advice and used a gel pen and went inside the post office to mail it. Thank you for the valuable information.