Practice Safe Checks: Don't Let Fraud Take Off with Your Money

Just like fastening your seat belt before takeoff, practicing safe check habits should be second nature. Even though check usage has dropped by more than 25% in recent years, reports of check fraud have doubled since 2021. Criminals continue to find new ways to hijack personal information and divert funds—and Rivers Edge Bank is committed to helping you stay grounded and secure.

Know the Flight Plan: How Check Fraud Takes Off

Fraudsters are getting creative in how they intercept checks and access financial data. One common tactic is mailbox theft—stealing outgoing or incoming mail to alter checks or gather account details. To prevent your payments from going off course, never leave checks in your mailbox overnight or while you’re away. Instead, drop them off at a USPS post office or official blue collection box.

Once a criminal has your check, they might use a process called check washing—using household chemicals to erase payee names or amounts and rewrite them for their own gain. In other cases, they use your routing and account numbers to produce counterfeit checks with modern printers and software.

Keep Your Checks in Safe Mode: Tips to Protect Yourself

Every time you write a check, you share personal details like your name, address, and bank account number. That’s why it’s smart to use digital payment methods whenever possible. But if you do need to write a check, follow these safety tips to keep your finances from turbulence:

Use Permanent Gel Pens

The ink from a gel pen is harder to wash off—think of it as your financial seatbelt for safe travels.

Avoid Blank Spaces

Fill out every line completely so criminals can’t add or alter information.

Leave Personal Details on the Ground

There’s no need to include extra personal information on your checks. Keep it minimal to reduce your exposure.

Review Your Accounts Regularly

Monitor transactions through online banking or the Rivers Edge Bank mobile app. If something seems off, report it immediately.

Check Your Cleared Checks

Review your paid checks online to make sure endorsements and amounts match your intentions.

Go Digital When You Can

Rivers Edge Bank’s online and mobile banking offers digital payment options like bill pay and SPIN P2P digital payments to offer faster, more secure ways to send funds—no postage required.

Confirm Receipt

Just like confirming your flight details, follow up with your payees to ensure your check arrived and was deposited correctly.

Contact the Bank Right Away

If you notice anything strange or wrong with checks you have written on your account, please contact the bank right away.  The bank has options to fight fraudulent checks and stop more from posting to your account.  Time is of the essence anytime you are dealing with fraud.

By staying alert and taking small precautions, you can help prevent check fraud from ever leaving the runway.  For more tips, resources and videos on how to #PracticeSafeChecks, visit PracticeSafeChecks.com or check out our Cyber Security page.