What Is a Washed Check and How Can You Spot One?

Altered checks pose a significant risk to financial security, potentially leading to substantial financial loss. Protecting oneself requires understanding how these fraudulent instruments operate. This article explores the nature of altered checks, providing insights into their identification and the steps individuals can take to safeguard their finances.

Defining a Washed Check

A “washed check” refers to a legitimate check that has been stolen and then chemically altered by fraudsters. This process typically involves using common household chemicals, such as nail polish remover or bleach, to erase the original ink from the payee name and amount fields. This allows criminals to rewrite these details, changing the recipient and increasing the check’s monetary value. The objective is to make the altered check appear authentic, enabling it to be cashed or deposited without immediate detection.

The magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) line at the bottom of a check usually remains untouched during this alteration process. This line contains the routing number, account number, and check number, printed with special magnetic ink difficult to remove or alter. Since the MICR line is preserved, the check can still be processed through the banking system, directing funds from the legitimate account holder. This makes washed checks deceptive, as the underlying account information remains valid despite fraudulent payment details.

Criminals often obtain checks through mail theft, targeting residential mailboxes or post office collection boxes. Once stolen, the altered check is then deposited or cashed, transferring funds from the victim’s account.

Recognizing Altered Checks

Identifying a potentially washed check requires careful attention to specific visual cues and inconsistencies. One common sign is smudged or feathered ink, particularly around the payee name or the amount written in words and numbers, indicating that the original ink may have been disturbed. Discoloration or a thinness of the paper in certain areas, especially where information was written, can also suggest chemical alteration. Additionally, a faint chemical odor, similar to bleach or nail polish remover, might be present on the check.

Examine the check’s paper quality. Real checks are typically printed on thick, high-quality card stock, whereas a washed check might feel thin, slippery, or show signs of warping. If the ink smears when lightly rubbed with a moistened finger, it could indicate that the ink is not permanent or that the check has been tampered with because the chemical process can affect the paper’s surface.

Discrepancies in the handwriting, font, or ink color between different parts of the check are strong indicators of fraud. For instance, if the payee name is written in a different shade or style than the signature or the numerical amount, it suggests that the check has been altered. Another red flag is if the numerical amount and the written amount do not match. Be cautious of unexpected checks or those for unusual amounts, particularly if they require you to send money back.

Safeguarding Your Checks

Protecting your checks from being stolen and altered involves adopting several preventative measures. When mailing checks, avoid leaving them in an unsecured home mailbox with the flag up, as this signals to criminals that outgoing mail is present. Instead, deposit checks directly into a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) blue collection box or mail them inside a post office. This reduces the opportunity for mail theft, a primary method for obtaining checks to wash.

The type of pen used to write checks impacts their resistance to alteration. Using a gel pen with indelible black ink, rather than a standard ballpoint pen, makes it more difficult for criminals to wash off the ink with common solvents like acetone or bleach. Filling in all lines on a check, such as the “Pay to the Order of” line and the amount line, helps prevent fraudsters from adding extra words or numbers. Drawing a line through any unused space after writing the payee’s name and the amount can further deter additions.

Regularly reviewing your bank statements and online banking activity helps detect suspicious transactions promptly. Check images are often available through online banking platforms, allowing you to verify that the check’s payee and amount match what you originally wrote. If you notice any discrepancies, contact your financial institution immediately. Additionally, keeping blank checks in a secure, locked location at home or in your business prevents unauthorized access and theft.

Steps to Take After Discovery

If you suspect you have received a washed check or believe one of your checks has been altered, do not attempt to cash or deposit it. Depositing a fraudulent check, even unknowingly, can lead to fees and potentially legal consequences, as the bank will eventually discover the fraud and reverse the transaction. Instead, keep the suspicious check as evidence, handling it as little as possible to preserve any potential fingerprints or other forensic clues.

Immediately contact your financial institution to report the suspected fraud. Provide them with all available details about the check, including how you received it and any suspicious characteristics you observed. Your bank can verify the check’s legitimacy and initiate their internal fraud procedures, which may include placing a hold on the funds or investigating the transaction further. They can also guide you on the next steps, such as disputing the charges if the check has already been processed.

In addition to contacting your bank, report the incident to local law enforcement. If the check was stolen from the mail or mailed to you, also report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), which investigates mail-related fraud. Document everything, including dates and times of calls, names of individuals you spoke with, and any reference numbers provided. Maintaining detailed records of all communications and evidence is important for any ongoing investigation or recovery efforts.