Earlier this year, FinCEN, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, warned consumers about an increase in check fraud — even as fewer people use paper checks. In 2021, there were about 350,000 cases of check fraud reported, while in 2022, there were over 680,000.
Michael Joyce recently sat down with Rachel DePompa of NBC12 to discuss this uptick in check fraud, warning, “Fraudsters will literally steal mail out of your mailbox. I’ve seen stories where letter carriers have been attacked to get the keys for the mailboxes.”
Watch the NBC12 story here.How to Protect Against Check Fraud
You can avoid becoming the victim of check fraud in the following ways:
- Of course, the best way to keep from being the victim of check fraud is to pay all of your bills electronically.
- Avoid leaving checks in mailboxes overnight.
- Even when using USPS official blue mailboxes, always be sure your check is placed in the mailbox prior to the last pickup of the day.