THIEVES CAN EMPTY YOUR BANK ACCOUNT IF ...

Tinkrbl44 · 7/25/23

I couldn't locate the recent thread about writing checks and all the things that can go wrong. The article below elaborates on what a bad idea writing checks has become due to increased fraud.

(Article originally posted on NerdWallet.)

Now is a good time to stop: Check fraud tied to mail theft is up nationwide, according to a February alert from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.

Thieves can empty your bank accounts if you’re still using this outdated payment method (msn.com)

PickyPicky3 · 7/25/23

On the local news today was a story about a couple that lost $21,000 due to checkwashing. The bank would not reimburse them because of a 30-day limit after a statement is published to report problems.

This couple let 5 months pass without looking over their checking account statement.

Meowingkitty · 7/25/23

I write one check a month to my hairdresser. Everything else is on autopay or for one offs like my dentist I call in to pay.

haddon9 · 7/25/23

It's really so awful! I try to not write out a check but there is one company that I deal with (my trash carrier) that still wants a check!

I saw another story not too long ago about a woman who lost over $160K from her bank account!

She had gotten a text from "Chase" asking about a transaction and the woman responded by saying no, she didn't buy anything.

Well one thing led to another and the scammer called to speak with her to tell her that they needed some code on her card (I don't remember the details) but she gave it to them and they called several more times.

After a while she looked and saw money being taken out of her account. She went to a branch in person to get it straightened out but she was told that they couldn't help her. She was told that basically she let scammers steal from her account and it wasn't Chase's fault!

Yes she was ignorant but I felt so badly for her! It could happen to a lot of naive people!

ManyMeows · 7/25/23

🕵 As soon the monthly statement arrives,

I check for accuracy. I write about 2 - 3 checks yearly, but I use my debit card regularly. If that statement doesn't balance, I'm on it ASAP.

Hard to believe that there are so many people who don't. The worst excuse is I don't know how. Time to learn.

icezeus · 7/25/23

I need to review my aunt's bank statement. She refuses to pay any other way. I paid a couple of bills for her a few weeks back by hand walking checks into the establishments, (ughhh) and mailing one payment from the post office.

Sage04 · 7/25/23

I only use my Debit Card and I check my account everyday and have been checking everyday for years.

The Post Office warned about dropping Checks in the boxes outside. They prefer for people to use the slots that go directly into the mailroom.

I've seen a lot ot the boxes including drive up boxes taped up.

SilleeMee · 7/25/23

My yard keeper only accepts checks. No cash b/c he's afraid of getting robbed. I told him to get one of those credit card readers for his smart phone so he can accept cc. But he won't. He's not tech savvy at all.

stellabystarlight · 7/25/23

I went to mail a birthday card to a friend and when I tried to slide the card into the mailbox, there was something sticky on the slot. I left with my card and mailed it directly inside the Post Office. Then I called the Mail Inspector's office and recounted my story. Well, days later on my local news, people were being warned not to mail their envelopes in the mailboxes. That sticky stuff was all over mailboxes in my area. They call it "fishing." Thieves place a stick on the sticky material & pull out mail. If there are checks, they erase the signatures with bleach, put their own, and get the money from the bank. The Post Office warned everyone using checks to get indelible ink pens - cannot be washed off. I think Staples sells it.