LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – As fraud schemes resurface across the country, local authorities are urging residents to exercise extra caution before mailing checks or responding to payment requests.
The Lubbock Police Department said criminals are reviving older scam methods that continue to prove profitable, targeting anyone who uses traditional payment methods.
Officer Brandon Hamilton with the community engagement unit said these schemes affect all demographics equally.
“This is not something that’s new, it’s just becoming more and more popular. Everything old becomes new again,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton explained that check fraud particularly impacts anyone who uses mail services for payments, regardless of their background or income level.
“Well that’s the thing: It affects everybody equally, if you’re putting a check into the mail, mailbox, or even the blue boxes that the post office has, it’s up for grabs. It doesn’t necessarily affect one population or group more than another,” he said.
One prevalent method involves check washing, where criminals steal checks from mailboxes, alter the information, and cash them for their own benefit.
The scope of the problem extends far beyond Lubbock. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans reported $12.5 billion in fraud losses during 2024, demonstrating how widespread these schemes have become.
Beyond traditional check fraud, Hamilton said scammers are using digital platforms to target victims with fake notifications and urgent payment requests.
“A lot of times you have to think about these logically. Is somebody going to directly send me a link that says hey you’ve won the lottery, or you owe money. If you never put your phone number into those accounts. A pretty common one is your CashApp ones, they’ll say you owe a toll fee,” Hamilton said.
Police said criminals typically use pressure tactics, emotional manipulation and artificial deadlines to push victims into making hasty decisions.
Hamilton said these high-pressure moments are exactly when people should pause, ask questions and verify information through trusted sources.
His primary recommendation is to avoiding mailed checks entirely in favor of secure alternatives like online bill pay, automatic payments or card locking features.
“The best advice I can give you for this do not send any type of check in the mail,” Hamilton said.
Anyone who believes they’ve been targeted should immediately contact their financial institution and law enforcement.
Residents interested in fraud prevention presentations can contact Officer Hamilton at 806-775-3406 or bhamilton@mylubbock.us.
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