Washington, DC – The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) today announced a partnership to combat the threat of check fraud. As part of this initiative, the Postal Inspection Service and ICBA will deliver in-branch educational materials with step-by-step instructions to help consumers safeguard their financial assets and how to respond if they experience check fraud.
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to protecting the integrity of the mail and the financial security of the American public,” said Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale. “Working with ICBA strengthens our collective efforts to combat check fraud, disrupt criminal networks, and protect consumers and businesses from criminals looking to exploit them.”
Community banks have long been the cornerstone of trust and security in their communities,” ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said.” By partnering with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, we are doubling down on our commitment to help consumers combat the escalating risks of check fraud. These new digital and print handouts will empower the face-to-face conversations bankers have with customers, provide actionable guidance, and reinforce the strong relationships that community banks are known for.”
Check fraud schemes often involve the interception and alteration of legitimate checks, resulting in millions of dollars in losses each year for consumers and businesses. One in five Americans have or know someone who has been affected by check fraud, according to a recent ICBA poll conducted by Morning Consult.
The Postal Inspection Service and the Independent Community of Bankers of America emphasize these essential tips to help protect against check fraud:
Tips to Prevent Check Fraud and Protect Mail:
• Send checks securely using the letter slots inside your Post Office or by handing them directly to a mail carrier.
• Pick up your mail promptly and avoid leaving it in your mailbox overnight.
• Contact the sender if you don’t receive mail that you’re expecting.
• If you’re heading out of town, ask the local Post Office to hold your mail until you return.
• Sign up for Informed Delivery at USPS.com to receive daily email notifications of incoming mail and packages.
Additional Tips to Protect Checks
• Use pens with indelible black ink and avoid leaving blank spaces on checks to reduce the risk of alteration.
• Monitor your accounts regularly using online or mobile banking and verify that checks reach their intended recipient(s).
Steps to Take if You Are a Victim of Check Fraud
• Report fraudulent activity to your community bank and request copies of altered or counterfeit checks for your records.
• Provide law enforcement with copies of fraudulent checks and details about how, when, and where the fraud occurred.
For more information about the Postal Inspection Service and ICBA partnership and to access fraud prevention resources, visit www.icba.org/newsroom/news-and-articles and USPIS.gov – Check Fraud
Our new joint check fraud infographic
About the U.S. Postal Inspection Service
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is one of the oldest federal law enforcement agencies in the country. For more than 200 years, U.S. Postal Inspectors have protected the U.S. Postal Service, secured the nation’s mail system, and ensured public trust in the mail.
About ICBA
The Independent Community Bankers of America® has one mission: to create and promote an environment where community banks flourish. We power the potential of the nation’s community banks through effective advocacy, education, and innovation.
As local and trusted sources of credit, America’s community banks leverage their relationship-based business model and innovative offerings to channel deposits into the neighborhoods they serve, creating jobs, fostering economic prosperity, and fueling their customers’ financial goals and dreams. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at icba.org.
