Rick Brinkley, President/CEO of the Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Oklahoma, issued a warning today to businesses to be on the lookout for customers using invisible ink to write checks. “We’ve had a couple of local businesses tell us that consumers have come into their stores with out-of-state checks and driver’s licenses. After purchasing a sizeable amount of merchandise, they write a check and leave the store. Later, when the store goes to make its nightly deposit, it realizes the ink on the check has disappeared. The stores have attempted to go through the out-of-state bank printed on the checks, but find out later they are checks drawn on a non-existent account,” Brinkley explained.
“While this may be a creative way to rip off good businesses in our area and may even generate a laugh or two, the reality is that it’s a crime that leaves the business owner holding the bag. In turn, the owner may have to raise his or her prices to make back the money the business lost….meaning consumers like you and me end up paying for these criminal’s actions”, Brinkley said.
In order the combat this kind of fraud, some business owners have resorted to barring out-of-state checks/drivers’ licenses and requiring customers to use the store’s pen to write any checks.
“Consumer’s should not be offended if a store requires you to use its pen to write your check. They’re doing the best they can to protect themselves and, at the end of the day, you as well,” Brinkley added.