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Check washing crisis fueled by AI and mail theft
- Check washing, once considered old-fashioned, has made a resurgence with increased sophistication, targeting personal checks and exploiting vulnerabilities in the mailing and banking systems.
- Check fraud incidents are rising, emphasizing the importance of understanding check washing and implementing protective measures against scammers.
- Fraudsters erase ink from stolen checks using chemicals, alter the amount, and deposit or cash them to drain funds without quick detection.
- Check washing often goes unnoticed for extended periods, allowing criminals to clear altered checks and move funds before victims realize the fraud.
- Organized crime rings are using advanced technologies like AI to enhance check washing schemes, blending traditional mail theft with digital tools.
- AI enables scammers to forge identities, manipulate check images, and exploit weaknesses in banking security, presenting a new level of sophistication.
- Protective measures against check washing include using black gel pens, monitoring mail delivery, signing up for USPS Informed Delivery, and monitoring bank accounts closely.
- Additional safeguards involve using checks with security features, limiting personal information on checks, securing check storage, and being cautious with endorsements.
- Reporting suspicious activity promptly, utilizing identity theft protection services, and investing in personal data removal services can enhance protection against check fraud.
- In case of being a victim of check fraud, immediate action such as reporting to the bank and U.S. Postal Inspection Service is crucial for recovering lost funds.
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