How to Prevent Check Fraud

Explore common check scams and how to avoid them:

Check writing may be on the decline, but check fraud loss is on the rise.¹ To protect yourself, it’s important to be aware of common check scams and how to avoid them. We’ll guide you on how to avoid becoming a target, and introduce some convenient, secure alternatives to check writing.

Check Forgery

One way check forgery can happen is when a blank check is taken without your knowledge. Thieves will then complete the check and forge your signature. This is a type of identity theft. 

How to avoid it: Don’t keep more blank checks on hand than you need, and be sure to keep the ones you do have in a secure place. Minimize the use of checks and opt for debit card or digital payment methods instead.

Check Washing

Check washing is when a check is stolen, often from a mailbox or garbage, and chemicals are used to erase original information while keeping the signature. The check is then re-written to a new payee, often with a new dollar amount, before being deposited or cashed.

How to avoid it: When you need to write a check, use a gel pen - this type of ink is harder to remove. Set up your regular payments in bill pay, it is a faster and more secure way to pay your bills. If you need to mail a check, bring it to your post office rather than putting your check in an outside mailbox. If you need to dispose of a check, make sure to shred it before putting it in the garbage.

Check Cooking

Check cooking is the practice of digitally altering a check using photo editing software. Unfortunately, this type of scam is efficient for fraudsters because, unlike physical check washing, it’s easy to do multiple times.

How to avoid it: Set up alerts using Apple Bank’s Mobile Banking app² to get notified by text, email, or push notification when money is debited from your account. Consider sending money with Zelle^®3 or paying with a credit or debit card, which is more secure than writing a check. You can also make a payment to a merchant by debit card or directly debiting your account instead of writing a check.

What to do if you suspect you are a victim of check fraud:

Reduce your risk of check fraud with these safer and more convenient digital alternatives:

• Bill Pay: Your payments will reach the merchants securely and eliminate the need to write a check, purchase stamps, and go to the post office. 
• Deposit Checks in our Mobile App: Simply snap a picture of your check using your mobile device to deposit it to your account⁴. Keep the check in a safe place for 14 days after you receive confirmation that it has been deposited, and then shred it. 
• Send Money with Zelle: Instead of mailing a check, send money to friends, family and businesses you know and trust with Zelle and they usually get the funds within minutes. 
• Set up Direct Deposit: Have your paycheck, tax refund, or government benefits delivered straight to your account - no waiting, no check to lose.

¹Help combat check fraud loss with tools from Federal Reserve Financial Services 

²Data fees from your mobile carrier may apply.

³U.S. checking or savings account required to use Zelle. Transactions between enrolled consumers typically occur in minutes. Zelle and the Zelle related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.

⁴Mobile check deposits are subject to verification and to Apple Bank’s rules governing funds availability. For Apple Bank’s funds availability schedule, see the About Your Apple Bank Accounts Rules and Regulations, “Funds Availability”.