Crime

How to thwart check counterfeiters

The Inquirer had a Page One story Friday that reminds me of a column I did in 2019 that started with mail being stolen from U.S. Postal Service mail boxes, but ended with stolen checks being “washed” with chemicals. Your ink is removed, and the counterfeiters fill in a new recipient and a new amount. And you are out the money.

One reason you see mail boxes gimmicked to open one inch, is to prevent someone “fishing” for checks inside the box.

I know many people no longer write checks, but if you do, there is protection. The Uni-ball 207 uses ink that can’t be washed away.

Stu Bykofsky

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