Protecting Your Account from Check Washing

Check washing involves criminals stealing paper checks out of the mail. The checks are then erased or “washed” using chemicals, resulting in a “blank check.” The criminals then add false information, like the payee and dollar amount before cashing the altered check. The result is large sums of money are withdrawn from businesses or individual banking accounts.

This problem isn’t just local, it’s a national problem. United Stated Postal Inspectors “recover more than $1 billion in counterfeit checks and money orders every year.”

If a business or individual pays a bill using a paper check and places it in the mail, they are at risk for check washing. Business and utility companies are often targeted because of the larger transaction amounts, but individuals can also be victims.

The Better Business Bureau has a few recommendations to safeguard your finances from these scams:

1. Use online bill payment systems instead of paper checks.
2. Use a gel pen, which has special ink that prevents erasing.
3. Keep a close eye on your checking account.

• If you’re a homeowner or business who writes checks to Homewood Disposal for garbage service, we encourage you to use our online payment system.

• If you’re homeowner and you pay for garbage service through your utility bill, please check with your village for online payment options.

Homewood Disposal Service has seen a rise in undelivered check payments in recent months. It’s heartbreaking to hear from customers who have been victimized by these schemes. Businesses and homeowners send us their checks in the mail, but those payments never arrive at our office. We assume the payment was not made, and we contact the confused customers.

After our customers investigate with their bank, they realize their check was never delivered. Many times, it has been stolen from the mail, and was cashed by a stranger. It often takes months for businesses or individuals to straighten out these fraudulent changes with their bank. Homewood Disposal Service encourages our customers to sign into their online account and make payments online to avoid these scams.