« Back to the Blog

Protect Yourself from Check Washing & Mail Theft

In Security Center
Photo of an open mailbox with mail inside and the flag up. House is blurred in the background.

We’ve seen an increase in check washing and mail theft, where criminals steal and alter checks to access funds fraudulently. To help protect your account, we encourage you to use electronic payment options whenever possible instead of mailing checks.

Electronic payments offer several advantages:

Reduced fraud risk – Payments move securely between financial institutions without being exposed in the mail.

Faster processing – Funds are delivered and received more quickly than traditional checks.

Greater convenience – Send payments anytime, from virtually anywhere.

Enhanced tracking – Easily monitor payment status and access transaction history.

Options include Online Bill Pay, ACH transfers, and other digital payment services available through our Online and Mobile Banking platforms.

If you must mail a check, use a secure USPS location, avoid leaving mail in unsecured mailboxes, and monitor your account regularly for suspicious activity.

By making the switch to electronic payments, you can help reduce your exposure to fraud while enjoying a faster, more convenient payment experience. If you have questions about electronic payment options available through 1st Advantage, contact us at 757-877-2444.

Online & Mobile Banking
Women on cell phone with warning sign.

Important Security Notice: Avoid Phone Scams

We want to make you aware of a phone scam that has recently been reported at financial institutions in our…
Learn more
man sitting on couch in living room at home holding phone.

Impersonation Scam Awareness

Local financial institutions are seeing an increase in phone impersonation scams where callers pose as credit union staff to steal…
Learn more
Serious, laptop and professional businesswoman sitting and reading a work email with a pen working from home.

How to Spot and Avoid Loan Scams Online

This guide will walk you through how online loan scams operate, what red flags to watch out for, and the…
Learn more