01/29/2026
Check Washing and Mail Theft: Are You Safe?
If you ever sent a check that was cashed, but later learned it was never received by the intended recipient, you were probably a victim of check washing.
Check washing is literally what it sounds like - criminals intercept checks and wash the ink away using chemicals. They then change the payee name and often the dollar amount before depositing the check.
According to the United States Postal Inspection Service, check fraud, particularly mail theft, nearly doubled from 2021 to 2023. Postal inspectors recover more than $1 billion in counterfeit checks and money orders every year. Luckily, there are some ways to protect yourself.
How to Protect Your Checks:
- Use pens with indelible black ink so it is more difficult for a criminal to wash your checks.
-Don't leave blank spaces in the payee or amount lines.
-Use mobile or online banking to access copies of your checks and ensure they are not altered. While logged in, review your bank activity and statements for errors.
-Consider using e-check, ACH automatic payments and other electronic payments.
If you think your were targeted by fraud, file a report with your financial institution and request copies of the fraudulent checks. Report the incident to the FBI Internet Crime Compliant Center at ic3.gov. If you believe you are the victim of mail theft-related check fraud, report to your local police and the United States Postal Inspection service at uspis.gov/report or 1-877-876-2455.
Our Investigation starts with your report If you have witnessed or fallen victim to a crime, take action by finding the right form below. Or visit our Victim Help Resources page for additional tools and contacts. Scroll What type of crime are you reporting? Mail Fraud Report suspected fraud and scam...
