What is Check Washing?

Stop Check Washing Fraud

If you're still writing checks, you're leaving your money vulnerable to a type of fraud that's easier to commit than you'd think. It's called check washing, and it's becoming more common every year. The good news? You have safer options right now, and we're here to help you use them confidently.

What Exactly Is Check Washing?

Check washing sounds like something you'd do at a laundromat, but it's actually a form of identity theft that targets your written checks. Here's how it works: a criminal intercepts a check you've written, maybe they find it in your mailbox, grab one from an unsecured drop box, or steal it from the mail, and then uses common household chemicals (yes, really) to erase the ink on your check.

Once the check is blank, they write in a new amount and a different payee name. Your signature stays intact because the chemicals don't affect all inks equally. Suddenly, a check you wrote for $50 to your electric company becomes a check for $5,000 to someone you've never heard of. And because your signature is there, it looks legitimate to the bank.

What makes this so dangerous in 2026? A few things:

• It's low-risk for criminals. They don't need special skills or equipment, just household supplies and your check.
• It takes time to catch. You might not notice the fraud for weeks or even months, especially if you don't balance your checkbook regularly.
• Mail theft is still common. Even though we live in a digital world, check theft remains one of the easiest ways for fraudsters to get access to your financial information.
• Older checks are more vulnerable. Checks printed on standard paper with certain inks are particularly susceptible to washing chemicals.

Think about the last check you wrote. Can you remember the exact amount? The date? Most of us can't, which means you might not catch the fraud for quite a while. Here's a video from the US Postal Inspection Service explaining in greater detail Check Washing. 

The Real Risks You're Taking With Paper Checks

Let's talk about what happens when check washing fraud hits your account. It's not just about the money, though that's certainly stressful.

First, there's the investigation process. When you discover fraudulent activity on your check, you have to report it to us, and we launch an investigation. This typically takes 10 business days, but can extend to 45 days depending on the complexity. During that time, the funds are frozen while we gather evidence and contact the bank that cashed the altered check.

Then there's the inconvenience factor. If that fraudulent check was supposed to pay your electric bill or mortgage, you're now dealing with late fees, potential service interruptions, and the stress of explaining to creditors what happened. You might need to contact your utilities, set up emergency payments, and keep detailed records of everything.

There's also the emotional toll. Discovering that someone altered your check and stole from you is violating. You feel foolish, worried, and uncertain. You start questioning whether your account is secure. And honestly, that concern is valid when you're using paper checks.

Here's something many people don't realize: unsecured drop boxes are part of the problem. These boxes are checked periodically, but checks sit there vulnerable between pickups. They're also targets for theft; criminals know these boxes exist and actively monitor them. If you're dropping a check in a box outside business hours, you're giving a criminal a 12-hour window to grab your check before anyone retrieves it.

We understand why drop boxes feel convenient. They're there, they're accessible, and you don't have to go and talk to an employee. But that same convenience applies to someone who wants to steal your checks.

Why Electronic Payments Are Your Best Defense

Electronic payments aren't the future; they're the present, and they're significantly safer than paper checks. Here's why:

Encryption and security protocols. When you make an electronic payment, your information travels through encrypted channels. Think of encryption like a secure envelope that only the intended recipient can open. Even if someone intercepts the data, they can't read it. This is completely different from a paper check, which anyone who touches it can read.

Instant confirmation. When you send an electronic payment, you get immediate confirmation that the transaction was initiated. You know exactly who received the money, when it was sent, and how much was transferred. With checks, you're hoping it arrives, hoping it's cashed for the correct amount, and hoping you remember to record it.

No physical vulnerability. Electronic payments don't exist as physical objects. There's no piece of paper to steal from your mailbox, no check to find in an unsecured drop box, no document with your signature for someone to alter. The transaction exists only in secure digital systems.

Complete digital records. If a dispute ever arises, and they're much rarer with electronic payments, you have a complete digital trail. You can see the exact time the payment was sent, confirmation numbers, the receiving account, and proof of delivery. This makes it incredibly easy to resolve any issues quickly.

Lower fraud rates. The statistics speak for themselves: electronic payment fraud happens at a fraction of the rate of check fraud. Criminals target checks because they're easy targets. They move to where the vulnerability is, and right now, checks are the vulnerable option.

We're not saying this to pressure you. We're saying it because we've seen what check fraud does to our members' peace of mind, and we want better for our members because LincOne is here for you! 

Making the Switch: ACH Transfers, Bill Pay, and More

You might be thinking, "This all sounds good, but how do I actually do it?" That's a fair question, and we're going to break it down into simple language so you know exactly what your options are.

ACH Transfers

ACH stands for Automated Clearing House. Okay, enough of the credit union jibberish. In plain English, it's a way to electronically move money directly from your account to another account. You can set up ACH transfers for regular payments, like your mortgage, insurance, or utilities. The money automatically moves on the same day every month. You set it up once, and it keeps happening. No checks, no drop boxes, no fraud risk.

How to use it: Call us or log into your online banking, and ask about setting up an ACH transfer to a specific company. You'll need the company's banking information (which they're always happy to provide), and then you're done. The money transfers electronically and securely.

Online Bill Pay

If you don't want to set up recurring transfers, online bill pay is your friend. Most credit unions, including ours, offer this service, often at no cost. Here's how it works: you log into your online banking, tell the system which bill you want to pay, enter the amount, and schedule the payment date. LincOne handles the rest. Behind the scenes, we either send an electronic transfer or, if the company isn't set up for electronic payments, we mail a check directly to them on your behalf.

The key difference? We control the "check" in a digital version, not you. The check goes directly from us to the vendor. There's no check sitting in your mailbox or an unsecured drop box waiting to be stolen. And since we're sending thousands of checks daily through secure processes, we're much harder for criminals to target than individual members are.

How to use it: Log into your online banking portal, look for the "Pay & Transfer" tab, then click "Bill Pay Login" and follow the prompts. You can schedule payments days, weeks, or even months in advance. Most payments process within a few business days.

Mobile Payment Apps

Many vendors these days have their own payment apps or accept payments through services like Venmo, PayPal, or Apple Pay. These are encrypted, secure, and leave a complete digital record. If you need to send money to an individual (like splitting rent with a roommate or paying back a friend), apps like these are safe and much faster than checks.

Which Method Works Best for Different Situations

For recurring bills (utilities, insurance, loan payments): ACH transfers are your best bet. Set it up once, and it handles itself. Payments are fast, secure, and you'll have a consistent payment date every month.

For one-time payments (medical bills, contractor payments, unexpected invoices): Online bill pay gives you flexibility. You control the amount and timing, but we handle the security and processing.

For paying individuals: Mobile payment apps are quick and secure, especially for splitting costs with friends or family.

For situations where you absolutely need a paper record delivered: Online bill pay is still safer than you writing and mailing the check yourself, because we're the ones sending it through secure systems.

We're Here to Help You Feel Confident With Digital Payments

We know that switching from checks to electronic payments might feel like learning something new, and that can feel uncomfortable. But here's what we want you to understand: you're not alone in this, and we've helped thousands of members make this transition successfully.

If you have questions about any of these payment methods, reach out to us. We're not going to judge you for asking, we genuinely want you to feel confident using our services.

Here are the resources we have available for you:

• In-branch training: Come in and sit down with one of our team members. We'll walk you through setting up online bill pay or ACH transfers on a computer or tablet right there in the branch. This takes about 15-20 minutes, and you'll walk out feeling capable.
• Phone support: Call us during business hours and talk to a real person who can walk you through the process step-by-step while you're at home. Our phone is number is 402.441.3555. 
• One-on-one phone appointments: If you want dedicated time with a team member without coming into the branch, we can schedule a call at a time that works for you.

Switching to electronic payments is genuinely easier than you think. We promise.

Your Action Plan: One Step at a Time

You don't have to overhaul your entire payment system this week. Big changes are easier when you do them gradually, so here's a realistic plan that we recommend:

Week One: Set Up Online Bill Pay & Download Our Mobile App

This week, log into your online banking or call us to set up online bill pay if you don't already have it. Don't worry about linking all your bills yet, just make sure the service is activated and you understand how to access it. Spend 15 minutes exploring the interface. That's it.

Week Two: Switch Your Top Three Bills

Pick your three biggest recurring bills, maybe your mortgage or rent, electric bill, and insurance. Set these up as recurring online bill pay or ACH transfers. After you do this, you'll see immediately how much easier it is. No more writing checks, no more drop boxes, no more wondering if the payment arrived.

Week Three and Beyond: Tackle the Rest

Once you've got your top three bills automated, add the rest gradually. A couple of bills one week, a couple more the next week. Before you know it, the only checks you'll write are rare exceptions (if any).

And here's the beautiful part: once your bills are automated, you'll forget you ever had to worry about check fraud. Your money will move securely, your record-keeping will be automatic, and you'll have one less thing to stress about.

You're ready to make this change. And we're ready to support you every step of the way. Reach out to us today, whether it's in person, by phone, or online, and let's get you set up with safer, easier payments. Your financial security matters to us, and electronic payments are the smartest way to protect it in 2026.