PITTSBURGH — District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala, Jr. and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office cautioned older adults of the “check washing” threat in the latest Fraud Squad Alert.
Check washing is a criminal act that involves treating stolen checks with chemicals, often household cleaners, to remove the ink. Criminals then rewrite the check with a different amount and payee so they can fraudulently deposit or cash it.
The November Fraud Squad Alert outlines tips to avoid becoming a victim of check washing, such as using black gel ink pens that soak into the paper, making it more difficult to remove the ink, mailing checks from blue collection boxes close to pickup times and considering paying bills online or electronically.
“Our Senior Justice Team was notified by older adults in our community who have either been a victim or known someone who has been a target of check washing,” said DA Zappala. “The best course of action to discourage cases like these is to educate the community and give people the knowledge and tools to protect themselves.”
To sign up to receive Fraud Squad Alerts from the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office please visit www.alleghenycountyda.us or email Cyndie Carioli at cyndieatda@gmail.com.
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