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09/01/2025
‘Check washing’ costs Americans over $1 billion each year, says USPIS — how to spot it and protect your money
Yahoo Finance
Despite seeming retro, check fraud is experiencing a surprising resurgence, with criminals stealing billions of dollars through these schemes.
According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), "check washing" fraud is inflicting substantial financial damage on Americans. Postal inspectors report intercepting more than $1billion in fraudulent checks and money orders annually.
Despite the rise of digital financial transactions, thieves are increasingly targeting mail containing paper checks as a vulnerable point in the system.
Using common household supplies, scammers can modify stolen checks by removing the original information and substituting false details before depositing them under assumed identities. Below, we explain their tactics and how to protect yourself.
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