Imposter Phone Scam Alert
Please be aware of fraudsters posing as Farmers National Bank to gain account info. Farmers will never call you requesting sensitive information such as acquiring online banking credentials. Please ignore these calls or call 1-888-988-3276 for questions. Thank you.
With fraud on the rise, we sat down with Rochelle Baer, Senior Vice President, Director of Private Banking to get tips on how to protect consumers from check washing. As financial scams continue to evolve, it’s more important than ever for individuals to stay informed and take proactive steps to safeguard their personal and financial information. Check washing is just one of several tactics used by criminals, but with the right awareness and habits, it can often be prevented.
Check washing occurs when criminals steal a check, remove the ink using chemicals, and rewrite it for a larger amount or different payee. These altered checks can then be deposited or cashed, often before the original account holder even realizes something is wrong. Because checks still contain sensitive information like your name, address, bank account number and routing number, they can be a valuable target for fraudsters looking to exploit vulnerabilities.
Use a black gel pen
Gel ink soaks into paper fibers and is harder to remove than regular ink. This small change can make a big difference, as traditional ballpoint pen ink is much easier for criminals to “wash” away without damaging the check itself.
Don’t leave checks in your mailbox overnight
Drop outgoing mail inside the post office instead. Residential mailboxes can be easy targets, especially overnight or during weekends. Taking your mail directly to a secure location reduces the risk of it being intercepted.
Turn on bank alerts
Get notified immediately if a check clears for an unexpected amount. Many banks offer customizable alerts that can notify you of large transactions, check activity, or changes to your account, helping you catch suspicious activity early.
Set up online banking
Use the bank’s view-only feature to monitor check images and verify details. Regularly reviewing your account activity allows you to spot discrepancies quickly and take action before more damage is done.
Consider electronic payments
Fewer paper checks mean lower exposure to fraud. Digital payment options, such as secure bank transfers or payment apps, can reduce reliance on physical checks and provide additional layers of security like encryption and authentication.
Regularly review your bank statements
Even with alerts enabled, it’s a good habit to carefully review your monthly statements. Look for unfamiliar transactions, altered check amounts, or unknown payees, and report anything suspicious right away.
Shred unused or old checks
If you have checks you no longer need, dispose of them securely using a shredder. Throwing intact checks in the trash can make it easy for criminals to retrieve and misuse them.
The faster you report it, the better your chances of recovering the funds. You may need to close the compromised account and open a new one. Acting quickly is key. In addition, consider filing a report with local authorities and monitoring your credit report for any further signs of fraudulent activity.
