$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
check washing scam
Criminals steal mail containing checks, use chemicals to erase the payee and amount, then rewrite them for larger sums to different recipients.
“check scam”
↑ 34%Key indicators
Usually targetsSmall business owners
Often hitsSmall business owners
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Thieves steal outgoing mail from residential or public mailboxes, targeting envelopes that appear to contain checks.
2
They use common solvents like acetone or nail polish remover to erase the ink on the payee and amount fields.
3
The altered check is rewritten with a new payee and a larger amount, then deposited or cashed.
What to do first
Use gel pens or security ink when writing checks, as they are resistant to chemical washing.
Related terms
check alterationmail check theftchemical check washingCheck and money order scamsMailRisingSmall business ownersSellersSmall business ownersCreators and online sellersUnited StatesCanadaUnited Kingdomcheck alterationmail check theft
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Paul, 45, a small business owners, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate check and money order scams situation while using Mail. Thieves steal outgoing mail from residential or public mailboxes, targeting envelopes that appear to contain checks.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They use common solvents like acetone or nail polish remover to erase the ink on the payee and amount fields.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The altered check is rewritten with a new payee and a larger amount, then deposited or cashed.
The outcome
Paul realized something was wrong when bank statements show checks cashed for amounts you did not write. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Use gel pens or security ink when writing checks, as they are resistant to chemical washing. Paul's experience shows why bank statements show checks cashed for amounts you did not write and payee name on a cleared check does not match the intended recipient are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Bank statements show checks cashed for amounts you did not write
- Payee name on a cleared check does not match the intended recipient
- Outgoing mail was left in an unsecured mailbox overnight
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Use gel pens or security ink when writing checks, as they are resistant to chemical washing.
- ✓Drop outgoing mail containing checks directly at the post office or inside a blue USPS collection box.
- ✓Monitor bank statements weekly and report any unauthorized check activity to your bank immediately.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network flagged check washing as one of the fastest-growing mail fraud methods in its 2024 advisory.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Use gel pens or security ink when writing checks, as they are resistant to chemical washing.
- ✓Drop outgoing mail containing checks directly at the post office or inside a blue USPS collection box.
- ✓Monitor bank statements weekly and report any unauthorized check activity to your bank immediately.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network flagged check washing as one of the fastest-growing mail fraud methods in its 2024 advisory.
FBI IC3 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Small business owners, Sellers
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada, United Kingdom
Primary channel
Mail — Check and money order scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Small business owners are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network flagged check washing as one of the fastest-growing mail fraud methods in its 2024 advisory.
Source notes
- FBI IC3 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about check washing scam
How does the check washing scam work?+
Thieves steal outgoing mail from residential or public mailboxes, targeting envelopes that appear to contain checks. They use common solvents like acetone or nail polish remover to erase the ink on the payee and amount fields. The altered check is rewritten with a new payee and a larger amount, then deposited or cashed.
What are the warning signs of check washing scam?+
Bank statements show checks cashed for amounts you did not write Payee name on a cleared check does not match the intended recipient Outgoing mail was left in an unsecured mailbox overnight
What should I do if I encounter check washing scam?+
Use gel pens or security ink when writing checks, as they are resistant to chemical washing. Drop outgoing mail containing checks directly at the post office or inside a blue USPS collection box. Monitor bank statements weekly and report any unauthorized check activity to your bank immediately.
Who is most at risk for check washing scam?+
This scam primarily targets Small business owners, Sellers. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, United Kingdom and typically appears on Mail.
Is check washing scam on the rise?+
check washing scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, UK. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.
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