You probably don’t think twice about what kind of pen you use to write a check. You grab whatever is nearby, fill it out and move on with your day.
But when it comes to checks and other important documents, the pen you use actually matters.
One simple way to help protect yourself from check washing is to use a gel pen with black or blue ink.
So, what is check washing?
Check washing is a type of fraud where someone takes a legitimate check, removes or “washes” away the original ink, and rewrites parts of the check.
For example, you might write a check for $50 to your daycare, a contractor or a friend. A thief could intercept that check, use chemicals to remove the ink, and then change the payee and dollar amount before depositing it.
Suddenly, that $50 check could become a $950 check made payable to someone you don’t know.
And unfortunately, check washing can happen even if you did everything right when you originally wrote the check.
Why does a gel pen help?
Certain gel inks are more difficult to remove from paper than traditional ballpoint or rollerball inks.
Many gel pens use pigment-based ink that bonds more strongly with the paper. That can make it harder for someone to chemically remove or alter what you’ve written without leaving evidence of tampering.
That doesn’t mean a gel pen makes a check completely fraud-proof. But it’s a simple extra layer of protection—and one that costs just a couple of dollars.
Next time you write a check, reach for a gel pen instead of a standard ballpoint.
A few more ways to protect yourself from check fraud
Your pen is just one piece of the puzzle. A few other habits can help keep your checks and financial information safer:
Keep an eye on your accounts.
Regularly review your transactions and watch for anything you don’t recognize. The sooner you spot something suspicious, the sooner you can report it.
Don’t leave blank spaces.
When writing a check, fill in the payee and amount completely. Avoid leaving large blank areas where someone could add information.
Mail checks safely.
If you’re mailing a check, take it directly to the post office or use a secure mailbox rather than leaving it in your mailbox for pickup.
Be careful with outgoing checks.
Only write checks when you need to, and avoid carrying around a checkbook unnecessarily.
Consider electronic payments when appropriate.
For some bills and payments, electronic payment options may reduce your exposure to check fraud. Just make sure you’re using a trusted website or app.
Small habits can make a big difference
We can’t always prevent fraud from happening, but we can make it harder for someone to take advantage of us.
Using a gel pen is a small habit that can add another layer of protection to something you may use every day. So the next time you’re reaching for a pen to write a check or fill out an important document, grab the gel pen.
And as always, if you notice something unusual in your account or think you’ve been the victim of fraud, don’t wait. Contact your financial institution as soon as possible.
A little extra caution today can save you a lot of headaches later.