Check fraud is making headlines across the Northeast in 2025—and not for good reasons. At ETI Trucking, we’ve seen how this growing threat is affecting small businesses, logistics companies, and vendors alike. It’s not just a financial nuisance, it’s a serious issue that can disrupt your operations, delay vendor payments, and threaten your cash flow.
What’s driving this rise in fraud? Believe it or not, some of it is fueled by social media trends, especially TikTok where scammers share how-to videos for cashing fake checks. Add in old-school tactics like check washing and high-tech schemes using AI, and you’ve got a perfect storm for fraud in the logistics industry.
We’re not here to sell you anything, we’re here to help protect your business. We’ve been serving the Allentown, PA area and the greater Northeast since 1977, and trust has always been at the core of what we do. So, let’s walk through what’s really happening out there, and how you can stay one step ahead.
What Check Fraud Looks Like in 2025
Check fraud isn’t new—but the way it’s being done in 2025 is. Scammers are evolving, using a mix of digital tricks, stolen information, and even AI to commit their crimes. Here are some of the major tactics we’re seeing:
- The TikTok “Check Fraud Challenge”
Yes, it’s real. In late 2024, TikTok videos started popping up showing people how to scan fake checks using mobile banking apps, pull out cash, and disappear before the banks detect the fraud. Some of these posts even offer downloadable templates for as little as $20. In 2025, this continues to spread under hashtags like #CheckFraud, and businesses are becoming prime targets.
- Check Washing
This old-school scam is still going strong. Thieves steal checks from mailboxes, then use chemicals like acetone to erase the ink, changing the amount and the payee. A check for $100 can become one for $10,000. The U.S. Postal Service reports that mail theft is helping this scam thrive. In 2023 alone, New York businesses lost millions to this method.
- AI-Generated Forgery
Artificial intelligence isn’t just being used for customer service anymore, fraudsters are using it to generate fake checks that look incredibly real. These forgeries can mimic handwriting, logos, and even check security features. Templates are sold on the dark web, ranging from $50 to $500, making this a fast-growing scam in 2025.
- Synthetic Identity Fraud
By combining real data (like a stolen Social Security number) with fake names, scammers create entire fake identities. They open bank accounts and use them to deposit bad checks, especially through mobile apps. Losses from this type of fraud hit $6 billion back in 2019 and have only continued to rise.
- Mail Theft
It may seem low-tech, but it’s highly effective. Thieves use glue traps or other tricks to “fish” checks out of mailboxes—especially in cities like Allentown where dense neighborhoods and business parks offer plenty of targets. In 2023, more than 15,000 reported cases of mail theft led to an estimated $688 million in losses nationwide.
Why Check Fraud Hits Logistics Firms Hard
As a logistics and hot shot trucking company, we know firsthand how important timing is. A delayed vendor payment due to check fraud can ripple through your entire operation—slowing shipments, creating confusion, and even damaging vendor relationships. Logistics businesses often handle large check amounts and frequent payments, making them attractive targets for fraud.
How to Protect Your Business from Check Fraud in the Northeast
The good news? You can take simple, smart steps right now to protect your company. Here are our top recommendations:
- Use Locking Mailboxes
Secure incoming and outgoing mail. If possible, drop off mail directly at the post office. Avoid leaving outgoing checks in an unlocked mailbox overnight. - Switch to Electronic Payments
ACH transfers and wire payments are safer and more traceable than checks. According to Experian, businesses that use e-payments significantly reduce their risk of fraud. - Write Checks with Gel Pens
It may sound simple, but using a gel pen makes your checks harder to wash. The ink bonds with the paper and is much more resistant to chemical tampering. - Monitor Bank Accounts Daily
Don’t wait for your monthly statement. Set up alerts, check for unusual activity, and investigate anything suspicious right away. - Confirm Payments with Vendors
When in doubt, make a quick call or send an email to confirm that a payment was received—or that a request for funds is legitimate. - Train Your Team
Fraud awareness starts with your staff. Make sure your accounting and admin employees know what to look for: unusual amounts, odd payee names, strange formatting, and changes to usual procedures. - Use Banking Fraud Tools
Many banks now offer advanced fraud detection tools like FinNLP and mobile alerts. Use them. Set thresholds for unusual activity and turn on multi-factor authentication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What exactly is check washing?
A: Check washing is when a thief steals your check from a mailbox and uses chemicals to erase the ink. They then rewrite it with a new name and amount. To stop it: use secure mailboxes, write with gel pens, and monitor your accounts regularly.
Q: What is the TikTok check scam trend?
A: It started in 2024. Users post videos showing how to cash fake checks through mobile apps, often using cheap templates sold online. These scams are still going strong in 2025—especially targeting businesses with high-volume payments.
Q: How are scammers using AI to forge checks?
A: Fraudsters use AI to create convincing fake checks that mimic handwriting, watermarks, and even bank logos. These fakes are getting harder to detect, which is why banks and businesses need to stay vigilant.
Q: How does check fraud impact logistics firms like ETI Trucking?
A: Fraud leads to delayed payments, missed shipments, and strained relationships with vendors. As a time-sensitive industry, logistics firms need to guard against every disruption—including financial ones.
Q: Why is check fraud so common in the Northeast?
A: High population density and business volume make the Northeast a prime target. In Pennsylvania alone, 9% of all U.S. check fraud cases occurred in recent years, and metro areas like Allentown see higher mailbox theft.
Let’s Keep Your Business Safe
At ETI Trucking in Allentown, PA, we’ve made it our mission since 1977 to deliver more than freight—we deliver peace of mind. That includes helping our customers and fellow businesses stay secure in an ever-changing world.
Check fraud may be on the rise, but with a few smart steps and some practical know-how, you can stay ahead of the scammers. We hope this guide gives you the tools you need to protect your business.
Got tips or questions? Let’s keep the conversation going, call us at 866-SHIP-ETI. Together, we can outsmart check fraud in the Northeast.
