Around here thieves are stealing checks right out of the corner mailbox. They drop a wire into the mailbox with something sticky on the end and fish your mail right out of the box. If you wrote a check to someone they take the check and "wash it", then fill in their name and new large amount and cash the check.
At least that's what they used to do. Apparently, there is a new scheme. Here's a video explaining it.
I did recently buy some "wash proof" gel pens. I think I'll keep using them.
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12 comments:
Checks are increasingly rarely used here. I wonder what other clever ideas thieves have come up with?
Sue - I have to write one every once in a while.
I probably write about 3 or 4 checks a year, mostly to pay taxes. I do almost all my routine bill-paying and money transfers online. So far, so good.
Scary stuff, but good advice.
We take most of our mail to the post office and drop it INSIDE. I know that doesn't guarantee that bad things won't happen, but it lessens the chances.
Everyone - Typo fixed.
Bill - I still don't trust letting companies take money out of my checking account. I don't think I ever will.
Deb - I'll keep using the pen until checks disappear.
Kathy - I've started doing that also. Every once in a while I'll drop one in the outside box at the post office if I know the pickup is less than 15 minutes away.
Gosh nothing is save.
I don't use checks but they can get me other ways.
Have not used a cheque here in Germany since 1969.
Mike that was to read, 'nothing is safe' Sorry!
Peg - You can only hope you're not one of the unlucky ones.
Stu - I just wrote 3 checks for our computer club and two more to pay my taxes (to avoid the service charge for using a credit card).
Whatever happened to the good old days when crooks just robbed banks?
I'm glad cheques are virtually non existant in Australia. I don't know a single person who uses them.
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