Oak Forest Police Warn Of Check Fraud

OAK FOREST, IL — Oak Forest police are warning residents to be vigilant with any checks sent by mail, after an increase in check washing cases.

Police on Friday issued the notice urging residents to keep close track of any checks they might send for bill payment, to monitor if and when those checks clear their accounts. If a check does not seem to have cleared in the normal amount of time, residents are encouraged to call or contact the company/person that it was issued to. See if that check has been received by the party and, if not, notify your financial institution that it may have been stolen.

"Check washing is where a check is washed by stripping the information that you have written or printed on it (name, amount, and dates)," police said. "The check is then issued to another party, typically in large sums, then cashed obtaining control of your money without authorization."

Currently, Oak Forest police and other agencies are working on the cases reported. The information that a victim of this can provide helps police and the other agencies pinpoint the date, time, and location of where the bills have been mailed to and from, when the checks have been cashed, and by whom.

If you are a victim of this, please report it to Oak Forest police immediately, and if possible provide us a copy of the cashed check.