Crime

How to thwart check counterfeiters

The Inquirer had a Page One story Friday that reminds me of a column I did in 2019 that started with mail being stolen from U.S. Postal Service mail boxes, but ended with stolen checks being “washed” with chemicals. Your ink is removed, and the counterfeiters fill in a new recipient and a new amount. And you are out the money.

One reason you see mail boxes gimmicked to open one inch, is to prevent someone “fishing” for checks inside the box.

I know many people no longer write checks, but if you do, there is protection. The Uni-ball 207 uses ink that can’t be washed away.

Stu Bykofsky

Recent Posts

Is Philadelphia a “Black city”?

This column was written three years ago, following the Philadelphia Inquirer’s journey into discovering its…

2 months ago

Americans awake to the reality of President Trump

The Trump honeymoon is over. The numbers aren’t great for President Trump (Photo: NBC News)…

2 months ago

Scorecard: The first 4 weeks of Trump II

There hasn’t been such an activist rookie* President since Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Odd Couple:…

2 months ago

Should trans people get equal rights to gays in Philly?

Philadelphia should be an LGBTQ sanctuary city. Illustration created by ChatGBT That was the interesting…

2 months ago

Unfair criticism and what Trump needs to learn

“Starting on day one, we will end inflation and make America affordable again, to bring…

2 months ago

Cry baby Dems need to pick their fights with whirlwind Trump

Wrecking ball, bull in a China shop, disrupter, Constitution-buster — choose your own metaphor. Just…

2 months ago