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Using A Uni-Ball 207 to Write Checks: Does It Matter
Posted on Nov 11, 2007 by Tom Fragala
There is a marketing compaign now produced by Sanford for their Uni-Ball pens called "Secure Your Signature". Specifically, it focuses on their Uni-Ball 207 pen which they say has special ink that embeds itself into the paper fibers on your personal checks (or any virtually any paper document, for that matter). The campaign features Frank Abagnale Jr., Mari Frank, and the ITRC, all famous experts on identity theft.
The jist of this product is that the Uni-Ball 207 prevents "check washing", a type of check fraud, where the ink is literally washed* off the check, and replaced.
Does this sound like a lot of hooey to you? Actually, I think it's pretty good advice and my understanding is the product does work as advertised. I haven't tested it, but I've heard about it for a long time from a variety of sources. I would love to hear from Ed Dickson (fraudwar blog) on this though, as he is an unbiased (unpaid) expert on check fraud.
How does the UniBall 207 help? Well, obviously so the payee, amount, or endorsement cannot be changed via washing, as well as the drawer's signature. Although, the drawer's signature does not need to be touched for fraud to occur. If the fraudster washes off the payee and endorsement, makes themself the payee, endorses the check, then deposits the check in their account, then that instrument is going to clear. The funds will be paid from your account to theirs (probably even faster now that Check 21 is law). Your ONLY source of protection in that case is to check your monthly statement or keep an eye on your accounts online. Your bank almost certainly not going to catch that fraud.
Checks are negotiable instruments, which can be made safer, but are still a big source of fraud regardless of the pen you use. Let's not forget that check washing is just ONE of many types of check fraud, and that your checks contain sensitive information that a moderately savvy fraudster can use to steal from you. Uni-ball 207 pens are not even remotely close to a cure-all for check fraud.
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* I can't help but smile and wonder how many people are going to take a check, some soap and water and try wash the ink off a check. C'mon did you really think that would work?
Comments
ed dickson on Nov 12, 2007
Check washing was big in the 90's, but I don't see it very often anymore. A long time ago, I did a search warrant with the Postal Inspectors in the Haight/Ashbury area of SF and was amazed at the set up.
They had a Victorian house set up with a room to wash checks, a room to do phoney credit applications, a room to counterfeit identification and a courtyard full of garbage bags, which contained mail.
This (activity) has largely dried up as counterfeiting items becomes easier and easier.
Software, check stock and even magnetic ink can be purchased in office supply stores and on the Internet.
Counterfeit checks are also being made on a large scale overseas on printing presses (allegedly) and shipped all over the world.
The old days of using chemicals like acetone etc. are probably on the decline.
Check alterations (money order, gift certificate, travelers cheque) alteration still can occur, but having checks, plastic or identification counterfeited is a lot more prevalent.
There used to be a lot of altered ID's and credit cards, also.
On an interesting note, a friend of mine was dealing with a complicated issue on a large check recently and asked someone who knows Frank Abangale about it.
She was shocked when she got a personal call back from Frank himself and he pointed her to an inside contact, who took care of her problem.
So far as buying the pen - all I'll say is you never know - but if you were to ask me if own one, the answer would be "no."
Of course, with electronic banking and plastic, I probably only write one to two checks a month, anymore.
Hmmmmmm.....maybe I could get Uniball to pay me some money for not writing this comment:)
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