Protect Your Checks and Prevent Mail Fraud

Safeguard Your Check Orders with Delivery Edge

At United Community Bank, we are dedicated to safeguarding your check orders with our Delivery Edge service. This trackable shipping option provides peace of mind and enhances the check ordering process by offering real-time updates, available for 60-pack check orders.

With Delivery Edge:

• You can receive branded text messages with updates like “out for delivery” and “delivered.”
• Branch representatives can view the order status in the check ordering system.
• The service is automatically included with your check order, at no extra cost to you.
• This service provides better engagement and boosts customer loyalty while reducing the number of delivery inquiries.

Delivery Edge helps us meet your expectations for trackable delivery, so you can rest easy knowing your checks are on their way.
 

Prevent Mail Theft and Protect Your Checks

The US Postal Inspection Service recovers more than $1 billion in fraudulent checks and money orders each year. If you mailed a check that was paid, but the recipient never received it, criminals may have stolen it.

To steal checks and money orders, fraudsters target paper checks sent through the mail. Once they have a check that you’ve mailed, they use chemicals to “wash” the check, allowing them to change the amount or make themselves the payee. Then, they deposit or cash your check and steal your money.
 

To help postal inspectors keep your mail safe, take the following steps:

• Get your mail promptly after delivery. Don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight.
• If you’re heading out of town, ask the post office to hold your mail until you return.
• Sign up for informed delivery at USPS.com for daily email notifications of incoming mail.
• Contact the sender if you don’t receive expected mail.
• Consider buying security envelopes to conceal the contents of your mail.
• Use the letter slots inside your post office to send mail.

If you do need to mail a check, protect it by:

• Using indelible black ink to make it harder for criminals to wash your checks.
• Avoiding blank spaces in the payee or amount lines.
• Never writing personal details like your Social Security number or credit card information on checks.
• Using mobile or online banking to access copies of your checks to ensure they’re not altered. Review your bank activity regularly for any suspicious errors.
• Reviewing the back of any paid checks for correct endorsement information to ensure they match the intended payee.
• Using e-check, ACH payments, or other electronic and mobile payment methods for added security.
• Following up with payees to confirm they’ve received your check.

If you think you’re a victim of check theft, report it immediately to:

• Our Contact Center: We’ll connect you with a CheckArmor® specialist. CheckArmor provides twelve months of dedicated assistance from certified fraud resolution specialists and internet monitoring in the event of fraud or identity theft. We can provide copies of all fraudulent checks. Call 1-800-UCBANK1 (1-800-822-2651).
• Your local police department
• The US Postal Inspection Service: Visit uspis.gov/report or call 1-877-876-2455.

Source: American Bankers Association