Party Like It’s 1999… But Don’t Pay Your Bills That Way
Still mailing checks to pay bills? You might as well write “steal me” on the envelope.
Check fraud is back—and it’s not nostalgic or charming. It’s bigger, faster, and uglier than ever. The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service issued a joint alert earlier this year warning that check fraud has doubled between 2021 and 2023. Some victims lost over $40,000 before they even knew what hit them.
Here’s how the scam works:
Thieves steal checks from residential mailboxes or USPS blue collection boxes
They “wash” the ink off or digitally edit the check
The payee and amount are changed
The check is deposited or cashed—fast—before anyone notices
By the time the account holder catches it, the money is gone and the trail has gone cold.
Here’s how to protect against check fraud:
Pay bills electronically whenever possible
✅ Avoid using USPS blue mailboxes—especially after hours
✅ Use checks with anti-fraud features (think microprint, watermarks, reactive ink)
✅ Monitor bank accounts regularly—don't wait for the statement to show up
If mailing a check is unavoidable, treat it like cash. Drop it off inside the post office, not in an outdoor box. And if something feels off, report it immediately.
Blake Files Forensic Solutions helps individuals and attorneys investigate financial fraud, trace funds, and uncover hidden transactions. When something doesn’t add up, there’s usually a reason—and it's often buried in the financials.
👉 Schedule a consultation to discuss a case or concern.
