This week, we warned Floridians about digital check manipulation scams, commonly called check cooking. Fraudsters are digitally altering stolen checks to fill their own bank accounts while draining those of victims.

In this scheme, fraudsters take photos of stolen checks and use digital tools to alter critical information, such as the payee’s name and payment amount, and then cash the forgeries.

Recently, my Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit assisted law enforcement in an investigation involving a Tampa man who manipulated checks. He stole more than $50,000 from victims and now faces 30 years in prison.

To guard against digital check manipulation, here are some tips to follow:

• Empty your mailbox regularly and talk to trusted neighbors to help keep a watchful eye to prevent the theft of sensitive documents;
• Consistently look at bank and financial statements for unauthorized and suspicious transactions;
• Beware of unexpected delays in receiving mailed checks—this could indicate potential tampering or theft; and
• Talk to your financial institutions about using e-checks to make payments online, rather than risk sending a physical check.

To learn more about digital check manipulation schemes, visit MyFloridaLegal.com/ConsumerAlert.

By staying up to date on emerging types of fraud, you can avoid falling victim and help us build a Stronger, Safer Florida.