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Smart Steps to Protect Your Money

Helpful Tips for You or Your Business

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Check Washing 

What is check washing?  

Check washing is a type of check fraud in which a stolen check is altered, often by changing the payee or other information, and then used fraudulently. Because checks contain your routing and account information, it’s important to take extra care when writing and mailing them. When possible, consider secure electronic payment options or take mailed checks directly to a secure Postal Service location rather than leaving them in an unsecured mailbox.  

When you write a check and hand it to an individual or put it in the mail, there is always a risk because you are handing someone your routing and account information.  

If a check is lost or stolen, someone could do the following with your account information:  

  • Create their own check 
  • Change information on the check and deposit it at another financial institution 
  • Attempt to cash the check 
  • Create an ACH or set up your account to pay their bills  

How to Prevent Check Washing  

We recommend these best practices to help prevent check washing:  

  • Monitor your bank account(s) daily 
  • Immediately notify the bank of any discrepancies or fraudulent activity 
  • Pay your bills online 
  • Don't mail checks; deliver your mail to the post office 
  • Use a pen with blue or black non-erasable gel ink when filling out a check 
  • Use Countybank’s Positive Pay service  

Password Security   

Strong password security is an important part of protecting your personal and financial information online.  

  • Use long, unique passwords for each of your accounts, and avoid using easily guessed information such as names, birthdays, or common phrases.  
  • Never share your password, PIN, or one-time security codes with someone who contacts you unexpectedly.  
  • Don’t store passwords. Instead, try setting passwords to a phrase of words that you can remember. Incorporate capital letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. 
  • Be vigilant when reviewing suspicious emails with links and attachments to help protect against phishing attacks. 
  • Do not register your device as an added layer of security. An unregistered device will now require a secure access code with every login.  

If you believe a password has been compromised, change it immediately, update any other accounts where you used the same or a similar password, and review the affected account for unfamiliar activity. If the compromised account contains financial information, contact your financial institution promptly to report your concerns.  

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