Medium riskBank & Payment

Cheque Washing Scam

In a cheque washing scam, criminals steal cheques, often from post boxes or unsecured mail, then use chemicals to erase the original ink. They rewrite the payee name and amount and cash the altered cheque. Because the cheque is technically genuine, the fraud may only surface when it clears or when an expected cheque never arrives. Writing cheques carefully and tracking expected post can reduce your exposure.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Cheque fraud
Main red flag
A cheque you posted clears for the wrong amount or payee, or an expected cheque never arrives.
What to do first
Contact your bank quickly to report the suspected fraud and ask about stopping or disputing the cheque.

Understanding this scam

In a cheque washing scam, criminals steal cheques, often from post boxes or unsecured mail, then use chemicals to erase the original ink. They rewrite the payee name and amount and cash the altered cheque. Because the cheque is technically genuine, the fraud may only surface when it clears or when an expected cheque never arrives. Writing cheques carefully and tracking expected post can reduce your exposure.

Bank and payment scams weaponise your trust in your bank and your fear of losing money. They fake fraud alerts, blocked payments, or refunds, then steer you into moving money to a "safe account", sharing a one-time code, or approving a transfer, actions a genuine bank will never ask of you.

If you take one thing from this guide, make it this: A cheque you posted clears for the wrong amount or payee, or an expected cheque never arrives. Contact your bank quickly to report the suspected fraud and ask about stopping or disputing the cheque.

If your message looks slightly different, check the Fake Cheque Scam or the Overpayment Scam, both are close cousins of this pattern. Every related guide lives in the Bank & Payment Scams guides, and the scam checker can scan the text you received.

A typical example

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: You post a cheque for 60 to a utility provider. Weeks later your statement shows it cleared for 600, paid to a name you do not recognise. The original ink had been chemically washed away and the cheque rewritten before being cashed.

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

The tell here: A cheque you posted clears for the wrong amount or payee, or an expected cheque never arrives.

What the data shows

#1
copycat bank fraud alerts were the most-reported text scam in the US in 2022
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
£459.7M
lost to authorised push payment (APP) fraud in the UK in 2023
Source: UK Finance

Warning signs

  • An expected cheque payment or refund does not arrive within the usual time.
  • A cheque clears for an amount or to a payee that does not match what you wrote.
  • Mail appears to have been tampered with, opened or is missing from your post box.
  • You are asked to leave a cheque in an unsecured outgoing mail slot or flag.
  • Faint marks, smudging or discolouration appear on a returned cheque image.

Your safest response

  • Write cheques in permanent gel ink, which is far harder to wash away than standard ballpoint ink.
  • Fill every field completely, draw a line through unused space, and avoid leaving gaps in the amount line.
  • Track expected cheques and follow up promptly if one does not arrive when it should.
  • Post cheques inside a secure post box or at a counter rather than leaving them in an outgoing tray.

If you have already engaged

  • Report the altered or missing cheque to your bank as soon as you notice and ask them to investigate.
  • Request a stop on the cheque if it has not yet cleared and review recent account activity.
  • Report mail theft to your postal service and local police, keeping any reference numbers.
  • Consider switching to electronic payments for regular bills to reduce reliance on posted cheques.

What to avoid

  • Do not leave completed cheques in an unsecured or visible outgoing mail location.
  • Do not write cheques with erasable or light ballpoint ink, which is easier to wash.
  • Do not ignore a missing expected cheque, as early reporting improves your options.

You might also see

High risk Bank & Payment

Fake Cheque Scam

A buyer, employer, or prize giver sends a cheque for more than you are owed and asks you to deposit it and send back the difference. The cheque later bounces, the bank reclaims the full amount, and you are left owing the money you sent on.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Bank & Payment

Overpayment Scam

A buyer, employer, or 'client' sends you a payment or cheque for more than they owe, then asks you to send the extra back. The original payment is fake or is later reversed, leaving you out of pocket for the refund you sent.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Bank & Payment

Fake E-Transfer Scam

This scam sends a fake e-transfer notification linking to a phishing page that imitates your bank's login to steal your online banking details.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Questions people ask

How do criminals wash a cheque?
They typically use common chemicals or solvents to dissolve the original ink, leaving the signature and printed details intact. They then rewrite the payee and amount, which is why the resulting cheque can still appear valid.
Does using gel pen really help?
Permanent gel ink soaks into the paper fibres and is much harder to remove with solvents than standard ballpoint ink. It is not foolproof, but it is a simple step that makes washing more difficult.
How will I know if my cheque was washed?
Often you notice when a cheque clears for the wrong amount or to an unfamiliar payee, or when an expected cheque never arrives. Reviewing statements and tracking posted cheques helps you spot it sooner.
What should I do if I post cheques regularly?
Use secure post boxes, write in gel ink, fill fields fully and keep a record of cheques sent. Where possible, switching to bank transfers or online payments removes the risk of mail-based cheque theft entirely.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.