This is an old check fraud which is becoming very popular as information about it spreads on the Internet.  It’s called check washing and is done with bank checks and medical prescriptions.

This is how it works.  You write a check to pay your bills; someone steals your check and changes the name and amount on your check; deposits your check in a bank account; takes the money; and disappears before anyone knows what happened.  The easiest way for crooks to steal your checks is from your mailbox.

How can someone change the name and amount on your check? They wash the top part of your check with acetone and leave only your signature. Now, they can write their own name and amount on the check and it only takes 3 minutes.

The same fraud can be easily done with medical prescriptions written by a doctor. All someone has to do is take a prescription and wash the top portion of the prescription; now, they change the prescription to a drug that they can sell or take themselves.

If you write checks instead of paying with online banking or if you write your prescriptions instead of printing by computer, use a Uniball 207 pen marked “Helps Prevent Check Fraud” on the packaging. Wal-Mart, Office Depot, Staples and other stationery stores have them or order online: Uniball 207 pen at Staples.

Watch how your check can be easily altered to steal your money.