Another resident in the region is warning people to be careful mailing checks this holiday season (and at other times of the year).
Especially due to the economic strain of the pandemic, residents have been reporting that checks they put into the mail are being stolen from mailboxes, altered and cashed by criminals. It’s not just an Alexan
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dria problem — recent reports have come from Arlington, McLean, Great Falls and other jurisdictions.
Here are a few safety tips when sending money:
Pay bills online when you can.
If you’re sending money to an individual, consider using a secure online payment portal through your bank. Most banks will allow you to set up a direct deposit, or use a bank-sanctioned app like Zelle, which is connected to your online bill payment system.
If you choose to use another electronic service, like Venmo or Paypal, be sure to double check all details with the recipient, including their username. Tell the recipient as soon as you’ve sent the money, and have them deposit the money to their bank as soon as possible so it’s not sitting in the app.
If you do have to write and mail a paper check, experts recommend gel-based ink, which can be harder for criminals to "wash" off the check and alter.
In addition, if you are writing a check, try to fill in each line completely. If a person’s name is short, for example, draw a line across the rest of the space to fill it in.
When you mail the check, hand the envelope directly to a postal clerk inside the post office instead of using outside mail boxes. Do not mail checks at night, on holidays or on Sundays when you can avoid doing so. Try to avoid using outdoor post office boxes and do not leave envelopes in your mailbox for your delivery person to pick up.
If the check is for a significant amount and being mailed, consider using USPS Priority Mail, another service, or requesting a tracking number. Ask the clerk to scan the envelope into the system immediately so tracking begins.
To further protect yourself from fraud, do not put your Social Security number, driver’s license number or other personal information on the check or in the same envelope.
