Check Washing Scam
What's the issue?
An increase in check washing scams has been reported in our area. Perpetrators are targeting personal mailboxes and communal postal boxes, physically stealing mail to acquire checks in an attempt at financial gain.
How does the scam work?
Perpetrators are stealing mail out of residential mailboxes and using special devices to fish mail out of communal postal boxes. Upon acquiring a check, the scammers will "wash" it with special chemicals to remove the ink. They then can change both the payee and amount, rerouting the money to their accounts instead of the intended recipient. With an individual's account number, the scammers also have the ability to produce counterfeit checks with the stolen account number.
How can you help prevent this from affecting you?
- Utilize Westfield Bank digital banking services as a replacement for checks. Learn more in the resources section below.
- Many businesses accept online payments through their website instead of requiring a check. Check with your services providers to see if you can pay bills electronically.
- When writing a check, use a ballpoint pen instead of a gel. Ballpoints leave an imprint on the paper, making it harder to wash. Use blue or black ink.
- If you have to mail a check, bring it directly to a post office or hand it directly to a postal worker.
- Review your accounts on a regular basis to verify activity. Ensure that all checks clear for the correct amount and to the correct payee. Images of checks can be viewed on statements. Sign up for eStatements to receive these electronically and detect unauthorized activity sooner.
- Shred checks, statements, and other papers containing personal information once they are no longer of use. Westfield Bank offers free shred events at select branches throughout the year.
View our shred event schedule (Events tab) >
Resources available through Westfield Bank
- Bill Pay: Pay bills and send money electronically, reducing the risk of scams via checks.
- Zelle®: When transferring money between family, friends, and others you trust, consider using Zelle® instead of writing a check. Zelle® is a fast, safe and easy way to send money directly between almost any bank account in the U.S. With just an email address or U.S. mobile phone number, you can send money to people you trust, regardless of where they bank.
- Deluxe Provent ID Theft Services: Safe storage for wallet contents and other personal information, access to Certified Resolution Specialists, and alerts for changes in your credit report are among the features available to customers.
- Positive Pay: Business customers can enroll in this service that flags suspicious check transactions. Users upload an issue check file specifying the date, payee, and amount of each check. Any checks trying to clear that aren't listed on the check file will be flagged and prompt a manual review.
Watch our Bill Pay video series >
Learn more about ID Theft Services >
What to do if you believe you're a victim of a check scam
- Call us immediately at 413-568-1911 to report a potentially fraudulent check. The quicker a claim is filed, the less time scammers have to make additional illegal transactions.
Zelle and the Zelle related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.