Mailing a check? Protect it.

You mail a credit card payment and move on with your day. Then, a few weeks later, a late-payment notice arrives. Your bank account shows the check cleared, but the company you paid never received it.

 

It can be confusing and frustrating. It may also mean the check was intercepted and altered in the mail.

 

While most mail reaches its destination without a problem, check theft can happen. A little extra care and regular account monitoring can help you spot an issue sooner and protect your money.

 

Check washing happens when someone steals a legitimate check and changes details such as the payee name or payment amount. The altered check is then deposited or cashed by someone other than the intended recipient.

 

Sometimes, the transaction may appear normal at first because the check number and amount have not changed. Taking a closer look at the check image can help you catch an altered payee name or other unexpected changes.

 

Many companies offer secure ways to pay through their official websites or mobile apps. You may also be able to set up automatic payments or use Bill Pay through Great Southern Online Banking or the Mobile Banking App.

 

These options can reduce the amount of personal and account information traveling through the mail. Before making a digital payment, always confirm that you are using the company’s official website or app.

 

Sometimes, mailing a check is still the most practical option. A few simple precautions can make it safer:

• Take outgoing mail inside a post office or deposit it before the collection box’s last scheduled pickup.
• Avoid leaving checks in a residential mailbox overnight.
• Use a black gel pen, which may make the ink more difficult to remove.
• Fill in each line completely, leaving as little blank space as possible.
• Consider tracking important or high-value payments.
• Follow up if a payment takes longer than expected to arrive.

One of the most important steps you can take is reviewing cleared checks regularly instead of waiting for your monthly statement.

 

Sign in to Online Banking or the Great Southern Mobile Banking App and open the image of each check that has cleared. Make sure:

• The payee name is correct.
• The dollar amount matches your records.
• The check number is one you recognize.
• Nothing on the front or back looks unusual.

Account alerts can also help you keep up with transactions as they happen. The sooner you notice something that does not look right, the sooner it can be investigated.

 

If a check appears to have been altered, was paid to the wrong person or never reached its destination, contact Great Southern Bank as soon as possible at 800-749-7113. You should also let the intended recipient know that the payment may have been intercepted.

 

Whether you pay by check or choose a digital option, staying connected to your account is one of the best ways to protect it. Check in regularly, review your transactions and reach out whenever something does not look right.

 

Learn how to recognize fraud and keep your money secure.