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Check Washing & Check Theft Scams

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 - Financial Security

How to protect your mail

  • Get your mail promptly after delivery.

  • Ask the Post Office to hold your mail if you are heading out of town.

  • Sign up for informed delivery at USPS.com.

  • Contact the sender if you don’t receive mail you are expecting.

  • Consider buying security envelopes to conceal the contents of your mail.

  • Use the letter slots inside your Post Office to send mail.

How to protect your checks

  • Don’t leave blank spaces in the payee or amount lines.

  • Don’t write personal details, such as your Social Security or phone number on checks.

  • Use mobile or online banking to access copies of your checks to ensure they are not altered.

  • Consider using ACH payment and other electronic and/or mobile payments.

  • Follow up with payees to make sure they received your check.