'Check Washing' Fraud Warning Issued In Long Valley

LONG VALLEY, NJ — If you still mail personal checks to pay your bills, you may want to take a close look at your bank account, as Long Valley police have arrested a woman in connection with a check-washing scheme.

Earlier this week, the police department posted a warning on Facebook, urging residents to follow key safeguards when writing checks.

In their warning, police noted that on May 8, the Washington Township Detective Bureau issued an arrest warrant for a woman from the Bronx, New York. She faces charges of third-degree forgery and third-degree receiving stolen property in connection with a check-washing case.

Check washing is a form of fraud in which thieves use chemicals to remove ink from a check. Once the check is dry, they rewrite it—often changing the payee and increasing the amount—before attempting to cash or deposit it.

According to police, the investigation began in early February after a Long Valley resident filed a report with the Washington Township Patrol Division. The resident reported that a check, originally written for $1,000, had been stolen from the mail. During the investigation, officers discovered that the check had been altered to reflect a new amount of $9,986.32.

Through collaboration with the victim’s bank and other law enforcement agencies, detectives identified the suspect, whose name has not been released. Investigators determined that the altered check was deposited into a bank account connected to the woman.

Once taken into custody in the Bronx, the woman will be scheduled to appear in Morris County Superior Court to face the criminal charges, police said.

To help protect residents, police provided the following safeguards against "check washing":

1. Write Checks with Indelible Black Gel Ink Use black gel ink pens, as their ink bonds with paper and is more resistant to chemical alteration than standard ballpoint pens. Avoid using blue or light-colored ink, which can be easier for criminals to erase.
2. Mail Checks Securely Whenever possible, deposit checks inside the post office or in a blue USPS collection box just before the scheduled pickup time. Avoid leaving outgoing mail in your home mailbox overnight or over the weekend, as this increases the risk of theft.
3. Actively Monitor Your Bank Accounts Set up real-time alerts with your bank for all transactions via text or email. Regularly review your account statements and report any unauthorized or suspicious activity immediately.

If anything seems out of the ordinary, you are encouraged to report suspicious activity immediately, police added.