Warning from the Post Office
Jun 26, 2023 07:13:16 #
The USPS is recommending that we do not send checks through the mail. "...305 mail carriers robbed in the first half of fiscal year 2023..." This must have been a tough decision because that will eliminate a huge volume of mail - and revenue. Theft of checks has doubled over last year. They also recommend mailing checks from inside the PO, rather than in a convenient sidewalk box, is you must use them.
As you probably know, criminals can "clean" checks and re-write them. You'd think there would be a technological way to prevent that. The check paper was supposedly developed for security. It should be possible to develop an ink that can't be removed from the check.
The only checks I write now are for taxes, dog license, and the town dump.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-postal-service-warning-checks-mail-fraud-theft/
As you probably know, criminals can "clean" checks and re-write them. You'd think there would be a technological way to prevent that. The check paper was supposedly developed for security. It should be possible to develop an ink that can't be removed from the check.
The only checks I write now are for taxes, dog license, and the town dump.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-postal-service-warning-checks-mail-fraud-theft/
Jun 26, 2023 07:25:14 #
I started paying as much as I can on-line after one check took two months to get posted and one is still missing in action (7 months).
I use a liquid gel pen that supposedly impregnates and "dyes" the paper fibers and cannot be washed without leaving residue of the original writing.
There are a few where I can only mail checks, and I give them to the person IN the post office.
I use a liquid gel pen that supposedly impregnates and "dyes" the paper fibers and cannot be washed without leaving residue of the original writing.
There are a few where I can only mail checks, and I give them to the person IN the post office.
Jun 26, 2023 07:27:07 #
Longshadow wrote:
I started paying as much as I can on-line after one check took two months to get posted and one is still missing in action (7 months).
I use a liquid gel pen that supposedly impregnates and "dyes" the paper fibers and cannot be washed without leaving residue of the original writing.
There are a few where I can only mail checks, and I give them to the person IN the post office.
I use a liquid gel pen that supposedly impregnates and "dyes" the paper fibers and cannot be washed without leaving residue of the original writing.
There are a few where I can only mail checks, and I give them to the person IN the post office.
A solution(?)
https://www.google.com/search?q=best+pen+to+use+for+writing+checks&oq=best+pen+to+use+for+writing+checks&aqs=edge..69i57j0i22i30l2j0i390i650l5.6466j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Jun 26, 2023 07:42:56 #
Use money orders. Pay online. Use a debit card or a credit card at the counter. Pay by cash at the counter.
Note that some (if not all) credit card companies employ a fraud department that investigates suspicious transactions and other questionable transactions. The card companies can reverse faulty or wrong charges to a card account.
Moreover, these companies can credit an account with the amount in question while the investigation proceeds.
Note that some (if not all) credit card companies employ a fraud department that investigates suspicious transactions and other questionable transactions. The card companies can reverse faulty or wrong charges to a card account.
Moreover, these companies can credit an account with the amount in question while the investigation proceeds.
Jun 26, 2023 07:43:22 #
jerryc41 wrote:
A solution(?)
...
...
Possibly.
I use a Uniball Signo 207 gel pen.
Hopefully it does its job and cannot be <easily> washed.
Jun 26, 2023 07:43:28 #
Jim70
Loc: Delaware
I found it easier to just stop paying my bills. By the time they catch up to me, I’ll either be dead or they'll give me a place to live with 3 meals a day.
Jun 26, 2023 07:50:47 #
Jim70 wrote:
I found it easier to just stop paying my bills. By the time they catch up to me, I’ll either be dead or they'll give me a place to live with 3 meals a day.
Great idea!
Jun 26, 2023 08:25:57 #
fetzler
Loc: North West PA
jerryc41 wrote:
The USPS is recommending that we do not send check... (show quote)
If one uses a Uniball 207 pen to write checks then the checks cannot be cleaned. The pens are cheap.
Secure Checks can also be used but they are not so cheap. They can be purchased from the following site.
https://www.safechecks.com/about-us/frank-abagnale.php
I use checks routinely to pay bills and contractors who work on the house. Checks provide a clear record of a transaction.
Jun 26, 2023 08:31:33 #
Longshadow wrote:
I started paying as much as I can on-line after one check took two months to get posted and one is still missing in action (7 months).
I use a liquid gel pen that supposedly impregnates and "dyes" the paper fibers and cannot be washed without leaving residue of the original writing.
There are a few where I can only mail checks, and I give them to the person IN the post office.
I use a liquid gel pen that supposedly impregnates and "dyes" the paper fibers and cannot be washed without leaving residue of the original writing.
There are a few where I can only mail checks, and I give them to the person IN the post office.
This could be an answer as to why a check is still missing. If it was stolen and the attempt to wash the check failed, they just discarded it.
Jun 26, 2023 08:36:31 #
Bridges wrote:
This could be an answer as to why a check is still missing. If it was stolen and the attempt to wash the check failed, they just discarded it.
Yes, I wondered that also.
But I drop them inside the post office, and the other did take two months before showing up as posted on our account. Maybe the lost one is under the stairwell in receiving..... (private joke for a place I used to work.)
Jun 26, 2023 08:37:47 #
fetzler
Loc: North West PA
anotherview wrote:
Use money orders. Pay online. Use a debit card or a credit card at the counter. Pay by cash at the counter.
Note that some (if not all) credit card companies employ a fraud department that investigates suspicious transactions and other questionable transactions. The card companies can reverse faulty or wrong charges to a card account.
Moreover, these companies can credit an account with the amount in question while the investigation proceeds.
Note that some (if not all) credit card companies employ a fraud department that investigates suspicious transactions and other questionable transactions. The card companies can reverse faulty or wrong charges to a card account.
Moreover, these companies can credit an account with the amount in question while the investigation proceeds.
1. Money Orders are expensive and difficult to refund if something goes wrong. in general a PIA.
2. Never use a debit card. This is the easiest way to lose money. Credit Cards are fine.
3. You can't pay your credit card bill with another credit card or debit card.
4. Cash is fine for small non-returnable items but checks provide a record. If the amount is large your cash can be seized by the government and you don't get it back even if you commit no crime.
Jun 26, 2023 08:40:14 #
Part of the tragedy here is that a paper check is the only way to pay a bill or send money that doesn't result in a charge for handling the money. Debit/credit cards result in large costs, typically around 3%. While we may not pay these charges directly with some vendors, we often do. These charges are now baked into the cost of most things.
Someone always pays...ultimately the consumer through higher prices. It's alarming to me how much the money handlers are skimming off of our economy. There must be a better (less costly) way.
Someone always pays...ultimately the consumer through higher prices. It's alarming to me how much the money handlers are skimming off of our economy. There must be a better (less costly) way.
Jun 26, 2023 08:48:07 #
Bayou wrote:
Part of the tragedy here is that a paper check is ... (show quote)
Remember that some companies use a payment service provider. The payment provider charges a "convenience" fee no matter what payment method is used.
Jun 26, 2023 09:05:09 #
jerryc41 wrote:
The USPS is recommending that we do not send check... (show quote)
Like we don't have enough to worry about.
Jun 26, 2023 09:10:11 #
lamiaceae wrote:
Like we don't have enough to worry about.
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