What Does Check Washing Actually Mean?

So just what is check washing and how can someone use this technique to steal money from you? In short, check washing is the means by which a person takes a check that you’ve written to them and cleans what you have written off of it so they can write in a new and much greater amount on the check.

A crime lab technitian demonstrates a common check washing technique

The First Step To Washing a Check – Trace Your Name Off It

The first step a check washer will take is to trace off your signature with clear tracing paper. This they will then use later on to resign the check with your name after the check has been “cleaned”. Next they will use a common solvent, such as acetone to clean the ink off of the check.

A Clean Blank New Check Is Created From the One You Wrote

You see, a standard ball point pen uses “oil based ink” that will dissolve right off with any number of readily available chemical solvents solvents. After this process has been completed, your now blank check is dried and then rewritten with any amount that they choose to fill in.

The Final Step To Creating a New Check For a Greater Amount

The final step is accomplished by using your copied signature and a bright light under a glass table to re-sign your name. When its all done, they will be holding a check in their hand that has your exact signature on it, made out to the amount that they chose to write it out for.

Protect Against Identity Theft By Check Washing By Using a Pointed Felt Tipped Marking Pen

You can protect against identity theft by check washing by simply using a fine “felt tipped” pen to write out checks. Felt tipped pens use water based ink that won’t wash off after the check has been written. Its pretty much fool proof and “will” prevent you from falling victim to a check washer.