Monday morning: you drop payroll checks at the post office.
Tuesday: your rent check sits in the mailbox.
Wednesday: The utility company reminds you it only takes checks.
In 2025, 61% of Americans still rely on paper checks for life's essential payments - and criminals know it.
A daily glance at your account catches most fraud attempts. You spot unfamiliar charges, changed amounts, or duplicate check numbers before they become expensive problems. Those five minutes matter, especially with check fraud hitting 20 million Americans last year alone.
Let's walk through real fraud scenarios you might face, warning signs that protect your money, and exactly what to do if something looks wrong.
Real Check Fraud Scenarios (and How to Prevent Them)
Check fraud cost Americans $21 billion in 2023, and it happened in several ways.
The Mailbox Theft
Your $1,500 rent check disappeared between your mailbox and your landlord's office. The next day, it cleared for $5,000 to someone you've never met. How? Check washing. Criminals use household chemicals to erase everything but your signature, and then they write new amounts and payees.
The Duplicate Disaster
You check your business account and spot duplicate check numbers clearing at once. The signatures look perfect - but you never wrote these checks. The cuprit? Counterfeit checks. Modern printers create perfect copies - right down to your signature.
The Missing Payment
You mailed an insurance payment three weeks ago, but it never arrived. Now, you spot checks clearing from the same checkbook - with numbers you haven't used yet. How's this possible? Someone stole your checks before they reached their destination.
The Changed Amount
You wrote a $250 vendor payment. It cleared for $2,500. The extra space on the check line? Someone added a zero and wrote "thousand" after "two hundred fifty." It's a simple change, but it works.
Spotting these schemes starts with checking your account details online. Most criminals leave digital fingerprints. So, regular account reviews help you spot their tracks while they're still fresh.
Your Daily Check-up: Signs Something's Wrong
Trust your instincts when reviewing your account. If a transaction looks unusual, it probably is. Daily checks help you catch suspicious activity early - and when it's easiest to fix.
Here's what should catch your attention:
- Suspicious account activity: Your check numbers process out of order, or several sequential checks clear at once. For example, checks #110, #111, and #112 might all clear on the same day, even though you only wrote check #110.
- Unexpected charges: Check amounts don't match what you wrote in your register. For instance, a $50 check to your utility company posts as $500, or multiple checks appear for amounts you don't recognize.
- Missing checks: Gaps appear in your checkbook's number sequence, or checks never reach their intended recipients. For example, you wrote check #120 to your insurance company two weeks ago, but it hasn't cleared, and the company says they never got it.
- Unfamiliar transactions: Checks clear with business names you've never dealt with or in cities you don't visit. For instance, you see a check payment to an auto shop across the country, but your car's parked in your driveway.
Note: Each cleared check shows you an image of the actual check. Click to view these images - they reveal alterations, changed amounts, or suspicious signatures that your statement alone won't show.
Smart Steps That Guard Your Checks
Prevention beats panic every time. Minor changes to your daily habits stop most fraud attempts before they start. Plus, these steps take less time than ordering your morning coffee.
Here's how to protect your money without disrupting your day.
Monitor Your Money
Your morning scroll through social media takes only a few minutes - give your bank account the same attention. Log in daily to scan recent payments. Set up account alerts, too - you can receive texts when large checks clear or unusual activity pops up.
Guard Your Checkbook
Think of checks like cash with your account number attached. Store checkbooks in locked drawers, not on desktops. Write checks in blue or black permanent ink only - other colors makes alterations easier. Also, skip public spaces when filling out checks. Need fresh checks? Order through Mechanics Bank, where security comes standard.
Rethink Your Mailing Habits
Street mailboxes invite trouble. Deposit checks inside post office buildings instead. Important payments deserve certified mail with tracking. Even better? Pay through your Mechanics Bank account - digital payments arrive faster and are safer than paper checks.
Stay Connected With Us
Missing a fraud alert because of outdated contact info? That's a costly oversight. Verify your phone number and email in your account profile today. Catching fraud early saves everyone time, stress, and money.
If Fraud Occurs: Act Fast
Spotted something wrong with your account? Call 800.797.6324 immediately. Our fraud team springs into action the moment you report suspicious activity. Don't wait to see if things improve on their own - they rarely do.
While you're on the phone with us, gather any receipts, statements or screenshots that show the fraud. Note when you first discovered the problem and what caught your attention. These details speed up your case resolution.
Keep watching your account after reporting fraud. Some criminals try again, hoping you've lowered your guard. Report any new suspicious activity right away.
Make Account Protection Part of Your Day
Thieves want your checks. Don't give them a chance.
Your strongest defense against check fraud starts with your morning routine. Open your account, scan your transactions, and save our Customer Care number (800.797.6324) on your phone. Most criminals count on you not checking your account for days or weeks. Five minutes of your attention ruins their plans.
Simple moves, solid protection - that's how you stay ahead of check fraud.
If you find any suspicious activity with your Mechanics Bank accounts or suspect fraud, please report it immediately to us first by calling toll-free: 800.797.6324.