The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which helps US taxpayers comprehend and fulfill their tax duties under tax law, requires you to show that you have no outstanding debts with them when you file your income tax return in the US.
If you owe money to this organization, you have a few options for paying off the debt. The most popular options are sending an electronic check or paying the IRS straight from your bank, but you can also use the more conventional approach and send a check by mail, though there might be some problems with this option.
The check might go misplaced in the mail, which could result in the sender having to pay interest and penalties on their tax bill if the IRS does not receive it by the deadline for submitting their tax returns.
Sending a check to the IRS via mail, however, has an even greater risk: a criminal will steal the check, change or duplicate it, and then commit fraud against you by stealing the money. A U.S. citizen experienced exactly this.
What should I do if someone steals a check with money on it?
In the US, check fraud is rather widespread. Indeed, according to a 2024 survey of Americans, 45% of them have fallen victim to financial fraud. More than 20 million people, or 17% of them, were specifically impacted by check fraud.
Likewise, snatching checks from the mail, wiping the original writing with chemicals, and then reissuing the check in the name of a new beneficiary for collection is known as “washing the check,” which is one of the most prevalent criminal techniques.
A check may also be stolen from the mail and duplicated by some crooks. Things can become quite risky in this situation since a scammer might run a number of additional checks on a particular account.
According to the notifications made by the institution, you must notify your bank and the authorities right away if you have fallen victim to check fraud. The US Postal Inspection Service should be notified if someone’s cheque has been stolen in the mail.
Banks also have ten days to look into this fraud. However, the bank could have to temporarily credit the customer’s account while the investigation is underway if a definitive conclusion cannot be made in that time frame.
Lastly, the Office of Consumer Financial Protection asserts that victims of check theft who have a fake signature are protected by state law. You must, however, tell your bank right away if you find out that one of your checks has fallen into the wrong hands.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.