Washing Checks Leads To Dirty Money For Crooks: WHPD

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Unlike washing your hair, your car or — even — your dog, there's nothing clean about washing checks.

In fact, those who do "wash checks" fill their own bank accounts full of dirty money and West Hartford police Friday issued a warning about that.

Here's how "check washing" works, according to the U.S. Postal Service: Someone obtains a check, usually by stealing or intercepting someone's mail, chemically removes the payee names and the amounts and, then, cashes or deposits the check, sometimes with a new amount listed.

A typical sign, according to the USPS, is sending someone a check, noticing its been cashed, but the person set to receive the check claims it never arrived.

West Hartford police Friday said they are seeing several reports of "check washing" in town, providing tips that anyone can utilize.

For example, people should drop off mail with checks in them directly to the post office; retrieve mail frequently and promptly; monitor your bank account; and use online or mobile banking, among other tips.

"As always, notify the police department of any fraudulent activity," wrote the WHPD.

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For more information on 'check washing,' click on this link.