Report by Paula Antolini, May 6, 2020, 7:13PM EDT
*** THE CHECK’S IN THE MAIL … AND SO ARE SOME FAKES ***
The federal government estimates that over 100 million stimulus checks will be mailed over the next five months. With roughly 5 million checks going out each week, criminals have a huge opportunity to scam some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Stay informed and help your friends and family avoid these fraudsters.
These stimulus checks have six unique security features. https://fiscal.treasury.gov/…/g…/check-security-features.pdf
1. Treasury seal. The new seal will say “Bureau of the Fiscal Service” once check stock showing “Financial Management Service” (FMS) runs out.
2. Bleeding ink. The Treasury seal, to the right of an image of the Statue of Liberty, has security ink that will run and turn red when moisture is applied to the black ink of the seal.
3. Microprinting. Microprinted words are so small they appear as just a line to the naked eye. But when magnified, the words become visible. Microprinting cannot be duplicated by a copier and when a check is counterfeited, it will often show up as a solid line or a series of dots. This U.S. Treasury check has one area on the back where “USAUSAUSA” appears repeatedly in such tiny print.
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4. Watermark. All stimulus checks are printed on watermark paper that reads “U.S. TREASURY,” which can be seen from both the front and back of the check when it is held up to a light. The watermark is light and cannot be reproduced by a copier. Any check not having the watermark should be suspected as being counterfeit or copied.
5. Ultraviolet overprinting. A protective ultraviolet pattern, invisible to the naked eye, consisting of four lines of “FMS” will be bracketed by the FMS seal on the left and the U.S. seal — an eagle — on the right. This pattern usually may be found under the payee information and the dollar amount area. The FMS pattern and seals can be detected under a black light. If the amount box is altered in any way, a space will be created in the ultraviolet area. When exposed to black light, the ink used in the pattern and the seal will glow. This fluorescent quality cannot be photocopied. Beginning in 2013, a new ultraviolet pattern was introduced into the check stock consisting of four lines repeating the words “FISCAL SERVICE.” Also, the seal has been changed to read “Bureau of the Fiscal Service” and may be seen until the prior check stock runs out.
6. President’s name. The checks will feature these words on the lower right side of the Statue of Liberty: “Economic Impact Payment. President Donald J. Trump.”
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****If you receive a check, double check the physical features and also check online via the Treasury Check Verification Application https://tcva.fiscal.treasury.gov/
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