06/02/2026
Check fraud is on the rise! Check washing is the process of scammers and thieves using chemicals to erase the payee and dollar amounts on stolen mail-in checks, rewriting them for much larger sums.
Protect your funds with these six habits:
- Use NAE Bill Pay: Manage bills safely with Online Banking and our FREE Bill Pay service. https://bit.ly/4ul9IiD
- Switch to plastic: Use your secure NAE Visa Debit Card or Platinum Visa Credit Card instead of writing checks. https://bit.ly/3iZfFlr
- Use gel ink: Write checks with a black gel pen, which bonds to paper and resists chemical washing.
- Mail safely: Drop outgoing mail directly inside the Post Office or hand it to your mail carrier.
- Secure your mail: Install a lockable mailbox to protect incoming mail from theft.
- Monitor daily: Use Online Banking to closely track your Checking Account transactions.
Reminder: Our credit union will never contact you to ask for your account number, PIN, or password. If asked, hang up immediately!