Protecting Your Finances from Check Washing Fraud

Check washing is a rising threat where criminals steal checks (often from mailboxes) and use chemicals to erase ink, changing payee names and amounts. These altered checks are then cashed or deposited fraudulently.

At North American Banking Company, we’re committed to helping you stay protected.

As you learn more about these scams, remember that North American Banking Company will never call, text, or email you and ask you for your account information.

How to Protect Yourself

Reduce your risk with these practical tips:

• Use gel-based or indelible black ink to make checks harder to alter.
• Don’t leave blank spaces on the payee or amount lines.
• Avoid writing personal information like your Social Security number or phone number on checks.
• Use secure mailing options, like dropping checks at the post office instead of leaving them in an outdoor box.
• Monitor your account online to spot fraud early and review copies of cleared checks for unauthorized changes.
• Review the back of paid checks to confirm correct endorsements.
• Switch to safer payment options like ACH transfers, mobile payments, or e-checks.
• Follow up with recipients to confirm checks are received and deposited correctly

If You’re a Victim

Take these steps immediately:

1. Contact your bank and request copies of any fraudulent checks.
2. Provide mailing details (how, when, where the check was sent).
3. File a police report with copies of the altered checks and deposit details.
4. Continue monitoring your account closely.

Extra Protection for Businesses

Our Positive Pay service verifies checks before they clear by matching issued checks to those presented. Any mismatches are flagged for review.

We’re Here to Help

North American Banking Company offers tools like Positive Pay, ACH transfers, and expert fraud support.

If you’re concerned about check fraud, contact us at custcare@nabankco.com or visit on of our Twin Cities branches to learn more.