If there’s one fraud trend that has increased significantly in recent years, it’s check fraud.

While many people assume fraud is mostly digital, paper checks have quietly become one of the most targeted payment methods. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), suspected check fraud reports have surged nationwide in recent years, with banks filing hundreds of thousands of cases tied to altered and counterfeit checks.

Why? Because paper is easier to intercept, alter, and reproduce than most people realize.

We’re seeing two primary patterns:

Check washing — where criminals steal a mailed check and chemically alter the payee or dollar amount.

Counterfeit checks — where stolen account information is used to print entirely new checks.

Unlike card fraud, which often triggers automated monitoring systems quickly, check fraud can sometimes move more slowly — especially if accounts are not reviewed regularly.

Checks were designed for a different era. In today’s digital environment, they introduce risks that modern payment tools were built to reduce.

Why This Matters

National fraud losses continue to climb each year, reaching into the billions. Credit and debit card fraud remain common — but card users often have built-in monitoring tools and real-time alerts that help catch issues quickly.

Checks don’t offer that same immediate visibility.

That’s why we encourage customers to think carefully about when and how they use them.

Practical Steps to Reduce Risk

The most effective way to reduce check fraud risk is simple: limit check usage whenever possible.

Consider:

• Using online bill pay instead of mailing checks
• Setting up direct deposit for recurring payments
• Paying vendors electronically
• Avoiding leaving outgoing mail in an unsecured mailbox

If you do write checks:

• Use gel ink pens (harder to chemically alter)
• Monitor your account activity daily
• Enable real-time alerts for check clearings and large transactions

For business customers, services like Positive Pay provide an additional layer of protection by matching checks presented for payment against authorized issue files before funds are released.

More Control. More Visibility.

Regardless of how you pay, the best defense is visibility.

Real-time account alerts and debit card controls give you immediate notification of suspicious activity and allow you to act quickly. The faster something is identified, the easier it is to resolve.

Our Commitment

Fraud prevention isn’t a campaign for us — it’s ongoing work.

As payment methods evolve, so do the tactics used to exploit them. Our goal is to help customers use the safest tools available while understanding the risks associated with older methods.

If you’d like to review your account setup, reduce your check usage, or explore electronic payment options, we’re here to help.

Because protecting your finances — and modernizing how you manage them — matters.

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Lisa Jonas, AAP
AVP | Bank Operations
The Equitable Bank