You may have noticed that there is a reckoning going on in the liberal media over the last month as journalists admit what everyone else already knew, that Joe Biden belonged in a nursing home, not the White House for most of his failed presidency.This week, at long last, we heard the audio from the sworn interview given by Biden to then-Special Counsel Robert Hur in the case of Bidens obvious mishandling of classified documents. It was two things everyone expected: damning and sad.JOURNALISM'S ORIGINAL SPIN: 7 WAYS THE TAPPER/THOMPSON BOOK ATTEMPTS TO ABSOLVE MEDIAThe thing is, if we are finally admitting that Biden had less command of his faculties than Ivy League university presidents, then how can we allow any of his supposedly signed orders to stand?Most importantly, what are we to make of Bidens last-minute pardons, including one he swore he would never grant?Indeed, it is the underwhelming nature of what should be shocking audio that hammers home the point that Biden was unfit, that we all knew it, and that we must seriously question any and all ink spilled by his heavily used autopen.This is a smoking gun, but it was fired more than a year before the 2024 election. The rank smell of its duplicitous gunpowder was already wafting in the air as Democrats like Dean Phillips and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. pleaded for a real primary.These days, all the chastened and solemn Democrats on television swear they have learned a lesson, that if they had known then what we know now, Biden would not have been allowed to run.But those in a position to stop Biden did know then, and they continued to abuse the confused old man, anyway.So why were the people who did know that Biden wasnt fit to run a Wendys so eager to keep him in the White House?Lets consider for a moment the fact that no top-level official was ever fired in the Biden administration, and not for lack of opportunity.Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin oversaw a disastrous exit from Afghanistan and was not fired.Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas let millions of illegal aliens flow across the border and was not fired.National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said just days before Hamas launched its October 7 offensive that the Middle East was as "quiet as it had been in decades." He too, was not fired.Nice work if you can get it. You see, when the boss was upstairs struggling to get the lid off his tapioca pudding, the White House staff could do anything they wanted, no matter how harebrained, and there were no consequences.This brings us to the issue of Bidens pardons, especially those granted to his family and public figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci. Put simply, did Biden have any idea what he was doing when his autopen scratched the surface of those presidential papers?In the case of the pardon for his son Hunter, Biden is on the record just months earlier saying he would never ever do that. Sure, it's possible that he was lying, but he did give us his word as a Biden.If, as Democrats and their media allies insist, Bidens decline was so swift, starting in 2023, that it caught everyone off guard, then shouldnt we question whether the Joe Biden who signed Hunters pardon wasnt deeper in the throes of dementia than the one who promised not to?The worst part of the mendacity from the Biden administration is that all those smarmy spokespeople like Ian Sams and all his bosses knew that the harm they were doing probably could not be undone, even if the actions were born of lies.They knew that, as a practical matter, it is likely impossible to deport 10 million illegal aliens, and they knew that it would be almost impossible to challenge Bidens pardons, even if he thought he was signing a pool pass for Corn Pop.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONThe problem with the current reckoning going on over the lie of the century is that there are few consequences. Journalists arent being fired, they are getting rich selling books in which they detail their own incompetence.Likewise, Hunter Biden, who is shadier than an apple orchard in a thunderstorm, is now free from all consequences. It's like none of his corruption or crimes ever happened.Maybe the Biden administration won this round with dirty tricks. Maybe no court can reverse these zombie pardons, but we wont know until we find out.If there are crimes to charge Hunter Biden with, he should be charged, and the same goes for Fauci. Let the courts decide if old man Biden was competent enough to make those calls.For now, there is every reason to believe that Bidens condition, which was hidden from us, makes his pardons, all of them, null and void.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM DAVID MARCUS

The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people, including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.This week's quiz highlights treasured tunes, leafy lunches, midwestern marvels and more.Can you get all 8 questions right?For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyleTo try your hand at more quizzes from Fox News Digital, click here.Also, to take our latest News Quiz published every Friday click here.

Scottie Scheffler showed exactly what the third round of golf tournaments are called "Moving Day" on Saturday.Scheffler owns a three-stroke lead in the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow after shooting 65 to get to 11-under for the tournament heading into the final round on Sunday.Scheffler was dialed in throughout the third round, which included one of his best shots of the tournament: driving the green at the 15th and setting himself up for an easy eagle putt. With three birdies also added on the card, Scheffler walked into the clubhouse with a familiar position on the leaderboard at a major.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMWhile Schefflers 6-under round was impressive, Swedens Alex Norn posted 5-under to earn his spot in the final pairing Sunday with Scheffler at 8-under.Tied for third are J.T. Poston and Davis Riley at 7-under, while LIV Golf star Jon Rahm has found his stroke again in majors after posting 4-under on Saturday to sit at 6-under for the tournament.BROOKS KOEPKA SNAPS AT FAN WHO HECKLED HIM ABOUT LIV GOLF'S GUARANTEED MONEY AT PGA CHAMPIONSHIPJhonattan Vegas is also at 6-under, but he couldve been in position to win it all if it hadnt been for his 2-over performance on Saturday.The Venezuelan was the leader after two rounds, which was mostly due to his 7-under start on Thursday. But four bogeys on the card compared to two birdies dropped him down the leaderboard with much work to do on Sunday if he wishes to win his first career major.But all eyes will be on Scheffler, who will be going into Sunday hoping to win his first major outside of The Masters. While he is the number one golfer on the planet, and his 2024 season saw him wear another green jacket and win the FedEx Cup, he has yet to win the PGA Championship, U.S. Open or The Open Championship.And, of course, last years PGA Championship at Valhalla was an insane start after he was arrested trying to enter the Louisville-based golf club. Charges would eventually be dropped, but Scheffler was booked, stretched and warmed up in a jail cell and got back to the course in time to play.Scheffler is well past that incident, but the point still stands: he hasnt won a major outside the confines of Augusta National Golf Club.Hes in a position to change that on Sunday.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Pope Leo XIV spoke of unity and those suffering due to war during his inaugural mass in St. Peter's Square.The 69-year-old Augustinian missionary, who is the first American pope, spoke before 200,000 people on Sunday, Vatican News said."I would like that our first great desire be for a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world," he said during his homily, the Associated Press reported."In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earths resources and marginalizes the poorest."POPE LEO SAYS FAMILY BASED ON UNION BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN, DEFENDS DIGNITY OF UNBORNHis call for unity was significant, given the polarization in the Catholic Church in the United States and beyond."In the joy of faith and communion, we cannot forget our brothers and sisters who are suffering because of war," Leo said while praying the Regina Caeli, mentioning Gaza, Myanmar and Ukraine.POPE LEO XIV DISHES ADVICE TO JOURNALISTS, MENTIONS AI CHALLENGE IN FIRST NEWS CONFERENCEThe pope said he "strongly felt the spiritual presence of Pope Francis accompanying us from heaven."He concluded by inviting Catholics to pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary, under her titles as "Star of the Sea and Our Lady of Good Counsel," to entrust his ministry."We implore her intercession," he said, "for the gift of peace, for support and comfort for those who suffer, and for the grace for all of us to be witnesses to the Risen Lord."Leo officially opened his pontificate by taking his first popemobile tour through the piazza, a rite of passage that has become synonymous with the papacys global reach.The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Lukka Bradburn traveled to rural Japan last year to document abandoned theme parks and was surprised by what he found left behind in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster and after years of decline, according to news agency SWNS.Bradburn, a printer, explorer and father of two, came across the parks after researching the areas on Google Maps.He found an entire derelict colonial "American town" area complete with hotels, churches and restaurants.DAREDEVIL TO SWIM SHARK-FILLED WATERS IN CELEBRATION OF JAWS 50TH ANNIVERSARYThe "Western Village" theme park near Nikk, Tochigi, has stood virtually untouched since its closure in 2007, its sprawling grounds frozen in time like a ghost town straight out of 1800s America, SWNS reported.Nature has been slowly reclaiming the land: Vines have crawled up church walls and snow has blanketed abandoned porches.Opened in 1973, the theme park was inspired by classic American and Italian Western movies but it closed because of competition from Tokyo Disneyland, per SWNS.Bradburn even discovered a replica of Mount Rushmore still intact, along with saloon bars and a stadium where crowds once watched jousting and other sports.The replica monument emerged among frost-covered trees, its stone faces still clearly defined against the sky.Nearby, weathered structures and themed facades lined the pathways, evoking the appearance of a long-forgotten frontier town.The site was littered with mannequins depicting life in "Wild West" America, according to SWNS.THESE ARE THE 5 MOST HAUNTED STATES IN THE US, DID YOURS MAKE THE LIST?Abandoned buildings include a gift shop that was boarded up and heavily damaged.Among the rubble, Bradburn managed to find a prop gun on the floor and an arcade with the original machines.With parts of the park still standing, he noted that navigating the sites was surprisingly straightforward.During his exploration, Bradburn said that both attractions were easily accessed."The Western one had a bit of a fence, but you could pretty much just walk in," he said.SPIRITUAL TRAVEL IS SEEING A BOOM: HERE ARE POPULAR DESTINATIONS TO VISIT"There was no security or anyone watching over it; it was just left to rot," he added, as SWNS noted.The absence of maintenance left the area in a state of disrepair."As we got to one park it was heavily snowing and we were having to get through all these bushes," he told SWNS. "It was quite overgrown."Both were in rural areas surrounded by countryside, mountains and small towns, creating the picturesque snowy scenery seen in the photos shown within this article.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTEROn his adventure, Bradburn and his friends came across another urban explorer, a Japanese man who said he used to visit the park as a child.The man, who spoke limited English, told the friends he'd returned to take photographs of the theme park, according to SWNS.For more Lifestyle articles, visitfoxnews.com/lifestyleWhile exploring, Bradburn also came across the remains of Kejonuma Leisure Land, which once attracted 200,000 visitors in the remote Tohoku region; it closed in 2001.He found a decaying ornate Ferris wheel, carousels and children's train rides.The attraction closed due to falling demand and the struggling Japanese economy, per SWNS.The site, once a popular destination in the remote Tohoku region, has seen little change since its closure.Visitors can still identify many of the original attractions, though time and weather have taken a visible toll.Bradburn said he plans to return to Japan next year for further exploring."The Japanese theme park industry entered a boom during the 1960s and 1970s, reaching a peak in the 1990s.Since then, theyve seen a gradual decline," according to The Park Database.

Alice Marie Johnson has gone from prison to the White House, where she's leading the charge as President Donald Trump's pardon czar, and she can hardly believe the transformation.The former Trump pardonee now works with the president's administration to bring hope to those still trapped in a broken system.Speaking to "My View" host Lara Trump, she laid out her vision for the role finding non-violent offenders who deserve a second chance, who have paid their dues to society and who have been victims of lawfare.I SPENT 36 YEARS IN PRISON FOR A CRIME I DIDNT DO. TRUMPS EARLY PARDONS ARE THE RIGHT IDEA"There are laws that have to be changed because, even in my position, I'm not going to be able to find everyone," she said."I am going to find as many as I possibly can find, but I'm also going to be advocating [for change] and looking at the things that are out there, on the books, that need to be changed, but to also do what the president has entrusted me to do, and let's find those individuals who need their second chance, those individuals who had lost hope in a system that was totally corrupt.""We now know it's not about how much money you have. If you have a corrupt system in place, there is no one safe," she added.TRUMP 'PARDON CZAR' EXPLAINS KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TRUMP AND BIDEN PARDONSA series of unfortunate events, including her son's death, financial troubles and a divorce, led to Johnson's involvement with cocaine dealers in the 1990s in Memphis, Tennessee. While she claims she never "touched, saw or sold a single drug," she admitted to assisting in communications.Johnson was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, a sentence she was "absolutely not" prepared for, nor did she think it was "warranted," but she's thankful her situation caught President Trump's attention.Trump commuted her life sentence in 2018 after she served 21 years in an Alabama prison but eventually gave her a full pardon in 2020.The president appointed her to the pardon czar position earlier this year, tasking her with identifying the best pardon candidates and assessing their readiness to reintegrate into their communities."It's just incredible to me that my life would take a full-circle journey. Seven years ago, I was sitting in a prison cell" she said. "It's really easy for me because I've lived it, so the president has entrusted me with this mission."

Emily English has become an internet sensation for sharing delicious recipes that are also healthy. The London-based BSc Nutritionist spoke with Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview about what inspired her career path and social media presence.English believes food is "amazing" and it is also possible to eat good food while getting plenty of nutrients.English, also known as "@emthenutritionist" on Instagram, shares recipes with her 1.8+ million followers. She said she started doing so during the COVID lockdowns.FIRST GLP-1 PILL FOR WEIGHT LOSS, DIABETES SHOWS SUCCESS IN LATE-PHASE TRIAL"I started by actually - it was during lockdown at the time when COVID was rife, and I used to open my kitchen cupboard and I used to balance my phone on the shelf of the kitchen cupboard so it would look top down onto my chopping board and I would film me making what I would eat that day."English was inspired to study nutrition when she witnessed toxic diet culture and also when her own relationship with food suffered."I kind of realized I had this massive gap in my knowledge of the human body and something that I do every single day and that's eat. So, I felt like there was this real big detachment from normal nutrition and what we were learning about nutrition."While creating recipes for people to enjoy, English wants her recipes to be loved but also for people to feel satisfied after eating them."I also want people to feel full and satisfied and content because... Feeling full and satiety and feeling kind of okay, I'm done, is such an important part of a healthy balanced diet and so many people think, 'oh nutrition I'm just not I'm going to be starving all the time,' if that makes sense, but I won't yeah, I want people to feel comfortable, content and full."CHICK-FIL-A FOOD AND EMPLOYEES HELPED MAN LOSE WEIGHT AND CHANGE HIS LIFEEnglish is also a number one bestselling author of cookbooks. She wrote "SO GOOD" in 2024, and her upcoming book "Live To Eat" is now available for preorder and will be on sale July 1st."They're just full of food that you want to eat that's also good for you. So, it nourishes your body, it nourish your mind," English said about her new book.English concluded that it doesn't take drastic changes to live a healthier lifestyle."You don't have to change every single thing that you already do in order to be healthier. So, diets don't work because they overhaul everything, and you suddenly lose every single bit of identity that you have with how you normally eat. So, what I always say is take what you do and think about the easy things that you know that you can change, but actually make that change every day because it's the tiny differences that we can actually stick to that are going to make the difference long term."Watch English appear on "Fox & Friends" on Monday 5/19 at 6:50 AM ET.

Former NFL star Robert Griffin III reacted to the spat between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese that took place during the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky game on Saturday afternoon.Tempers flared between Reese and Clark after the Fever sharpshooter committed a flagrant foul on the Sky forward. It was one of the bigger moments of Indianas 93-58 blowout win.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMGriffin wrote on social media that the incident showed him one thing."After watching Caitlin Clarks flagrant foul on Angel Reese and the aftermath, there is no way Angel Reese can continue the lie that she doesnt dislike Caitlin Clark," Griffin wrote. "I know what hatred looks like. Angel Reese HATES Caitlin Clark. Not some basketball rivalry hate either. Hate."Clark and Reese have major history, going back to the 2023 NCAA womens basketball national championship.Both players downplayed the incident.Clark told ESPNs Holly Rowe after the third quarter that there had been "nothing malicious" behind the foul.CAITLIN CLARK, ANGEL REESE DOWNPLAY HEATED MOMENT AFTER FLAGRANT FOUL IN FEVER'S SEASON-OPENING ROUTLet's not make it something that it's not," Clark said after the game. "It was just a good play on the basketball. I'm not sure what the ref saw to upgrade it, and that's up to their discretion. It's a take foul to put them at the free-throw line. I've watched a lot of basketball in my life, that's exactly what it was. I wasn't trying to do anything malicious. That's not the type of player I am."Reese said it was a "basketball play."Fever head coach Stephanie White said she thought it was a "clear play on the ball" when Clark fouled Reese. But crew chief Roy Gulbeyan said Clark had pushed Reese with her left hand."The foul on Clark met the criteria for flagrant foul 1, for wind up, impact, and follow through for the extension of the left hand to Reeses back, which is deemed not a legitimate basketball play, and therefore deemed unnecessary contact," he told a pool reporter. "After the foul, there is a physical taunt technical on (Aliyah) Boston and a verbal technical on Reese, which offset."Clark finished with her third career triple-double, scoring 20 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists. Reese put together another double-double. She had 12 points and 17 rebounds.The Associated Press contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

President Donald Trump called himself the "fertilization president" during Womens History Month, but some experts cited claims that "baby bonuses," such as the $5,000 plan Trump floated, have been tried in the past and had mixed results.Singapore, Hungary and Australia are three examples of countries where such programs have been instituted.Singapore has been subsidizing parenthood for decades, with the latest endowment per child reaching S$ 11,000 (US $8,000) as of 2023, but the tiny Asian nation still has one of the lowest birth rates in the world.Gabriella Hoffman, an official at the Independent Womens Forum, wrote on social media that baby bonuses did not work in Hungary.DNC VICE CHAIR SLAMS TRUMP AS PUNK, WOULD-BE DICTATOR AT FIERY PA TOWN HALL"Why would we replicate this here?" she asked.That country, led by Trump-favored President Viktor Orban, also incentivizes its residents to have more kids, including through tax breaks for families with three or more offspring. Hungarys birth rate rose slightly about a decade ago but returned to and remains close to one.Australias program began in 2004 and indexed to inflation in 2008 what was then an A$ 5,000 (US $3,180) for parents per birth. The governments self-reported birthrate statistic was about 1.5 as of 2023.Paula Lantz, a social demographer from the University of Michigan, told the Guardian that in the U.S., the percentage of families having more than one child has dropped and that "there is something else going on" including non-financial considerations like quality of life effects.An official at the liberal Center for American Progress told the outlet she had a child a few months ago and that the promised $5,000 credit "wouldnt do much" even with good insurance and paid occupational family leave.OBAMA SLAMS PRO-TRUMP MEN AT PHILADELPHIA RALLY WHILE SPRINGSTEEN WARNS GOP NOMINEE IS AN AMERICAN TYRANTAndrea Ippolito, founder of maternal health tech platform SimpliFed, told Fox News Digital that while the $5,000 is a "nice boost," the initiative "just lightly scratches the surface of the support that is needed for families, especially in the early years with childcare and healthcare support that is largely missingfrom thepostpartum care experience.""In order to increase the birth rate, much more is needed to support and ensure that both mom and baby's health is prioritized," Ippolito said. "That means both physical health needs (which are not right now as demonstrated with doubling the preeclampsia rate doubling) and mental health needs."On the other hand, Emily and Nathan Berning co-founders of crisis-pregnancy support site LetThemLive.org, said that the baby bonus touted by Trump "is a positive step, but it doesnt go far enough."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"Financial aid after delivery is helpful, but the real need is stability throughout pregnancyrent, food, counseling, and emotional support," the Bernings said. "If we want to raise birthrates and protect children, we must act earlier and ensure no woman feels forced into a decision out of fear or isolation."They touted the benefits of pregnancy clinics that are founded by both pro-life and pro-choice advocates, saying that is how to prioritize "compassion over politics."Meanwhile, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, introduced a proposal for the feds to provide $1,000 in an account for each American child.The "Invest America Act" would create "a private tax-advantaged account," and Cruz said in a statement last week the investments can be placed in a broad, low-cost fund that tracks the S&P 500, growing tax-deferred until the individual reaches age 18. Distributions after age 18 would be taxed at the capital gains rate.Fox News Digital reached out to Cruz for any comment on claims from critics that past iterations of the accounts have not been successful.Fox News Digital also reached out to the White House for comment on criticisms.

Once considered an old-fashioned crime, check washing has roared back to life with alarming sophistication.Criminals are not just targeting personal checks anymore. They are exploiting every vulnerability in the mailing and banking system to cash in on stolen funds.As check fraud incidents continue to rise sharply across the country, it is more important than ever to understand how check washing works and what you can do to protect yourself. Here is what you need to know to stay ahead of the scammers.JOIN THE FREE CYBERGUY REPORT: GET MY EXPERT TECH TIPS, CRITICAL SECURITY ALERTS, AND EXCLUSIVE DEALS PLUS INSTANT ACCESS TO MYFREE ULTIMATE SCAM SURVIVAL GUIDE WHEN YOU SIGN UP!Check washing fraud happens when a scammer steals a check you have written, erases the ink using chemicals like acetone or nail polish remover, and rewrites it to a new recipient. Often, they will change the amount to something much higher. The altered check is then deposited or cashed, and the funds are drained from your account before you even realize something is wrong.Why it's dangerous:FBI WARNS OF SCAM TARGETING VICTIMS WITH FAKE HOSPITALS AND POLICEUnlike digital fraud, check washing often goes unnoticed until long after the damage is done. Because checks can take days or even weeks to clear through the banking system, criminals have plenty of time to deposit altered checks and move funds before victims realize anything is wrong.By the time the missing money is discovered, tracing it back to the scammer can be extremely difficult. This delay makes it critical to monitor your accounts closely and act quickly if you spot any suspicious activity.FBI WARNS OF SCAM TARGETING VICTIMS WITH FAKE HOSPITALS AND POLICESince 2023, check fraud has exploded in the United States.The surge in fraud reports reflects more than just isolated criminal acts. Organized crime rings are increasingly turning to check washing as a hybrid crime, blending old-school mail theft with new digital tools like AI. Fraudsters now use advanced technologies to forge identities, alter check images and exploit gaps in banking security, making check washing more sophisticated than ever. As financial institutions strengthen cybersecurity defenses, scammers are targeting physical mail systems as a weaker link to bypass digital barriers.Real examples:sFraudsters have adapted their methods to stay ahead of law enforcement and banks.Criminals are combining old techniques like mail theft with new digital strategies, making check washing harder to recognize and prevent without proactive security measures. Recent advancements in AI technology have made it easier for scammers to forge realistic-looking documents, generate convincing fake identities and create sophisticated phishing emails.AI-generated fake IDs and altered check images can pass basic verification checks that would have caught manual forgeries in the past. This shift means check fraud is no longer just a matter of stealing a physical check, but exploiting digital vulnerabilities at every stage of the banking process.THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE DOING WRONG WHEN SCAMMERS CALLHere are 14 essential protective measures to shield yourself from check washing scams.1. Use a black gel pen: When writing checks, always use ablack gel pen. The ink is much harder to remove compared to regular ballpoint pen ink.2. Bring checks directly to the post office when mailing them: If using a mailbox, make sure to drop off your mail before the final scheduled pickup so it is not left sitting overnight.3. Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery: Stay ahead by signing up forUSPS Informed Delivery. You will receive digital previews of incoming mail so you can monitor for any missing items early. Learn more about why it's importanthere.4. Monitor your bank accounts: Set up real-time alerts for check clearing and review your statements weekly to catch any suspicious activity. Also, ask your bank about any other fraud-prevention tools they offer to protect your accounts.5. Switch to digital payments when possible: Use your banks mobile app to deposit checks without mailing or physically delivering them, reducing the risk of theft or tampering.6. Use checks with built-in security features: Choose checks printed on paper with watermarks, chemical-sensitive coatings or other security features that make check washing much harder.7. Limit the information on checks: Avoid unnecessary personal details. Do not print your Social Security number, drivers license number or phone number on your checks. The less information available, the less a fraudster can use.HOW CYBERSCAMS ARE DRAINING AMERICANS WALLETS BY THE BILLIONS8. Store checks securely: Keep blank checks in a safe place. Store your checkbook in a locked drawer or safe, not in your purse, car or an easily accessible location at home.9. Check your mailbox security: Install alocking mailbox. If possible, use a mailbox with a lock to prevent thieves from stealing outgoing or incoming mail.10. Be cautious with endorsements: When endorsing checks, write "For Deposit Only" along with your account number to prevent others from cashing the check.11. Enroll in identity theft protection with check fraud specialization: Choose services that specifically monitor for compromised check details on dark web marketplaces and alert you to suspicious check-cashing patterns. Identity theft protection services monitor your personal data across the dark web and public databases, alert you to suspicious activity and assist you in locking down your accounts if needed.See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.12. Invest in personal data removal services: Minimize exposure of sensitive details (like addresses or banking affiliations) that fraudsters could exploit for check-washing scams. Removing your personal information from these sites can help reduce your risk of becoming a victim. While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They arent cheap and neither is your privacy.These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites.Its what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet.By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.Check out my top picks for data removal services here.13. Shred sensitive documents: Shred old checks and bank statements. Dont just throw them away. Shred any documents with sensitive banking information.14. Report suspicious activity immediately: If you suspect check fraud or missing mail, report it to your bank and theU.S. Postal Inspection Service right away.15. Use Positive Pay if you are a business:Positive Pay is a fraud prevention service offered by most banks to business customers. It works by matching the checks you issue with the ones presented for payment. If something doesnt add up, like a changed amount or payee, the bank flags it for your review before its processed. You usually need to sign up through your bank, and there might be a fee, but its a smart way to protect your business from check fraud, especially if you write a lot of checks.What to do if you are a victimIf you think you have been targeted by check fraud:Time matters. The faster you act, the better your chances of recovering lost funds.Check washing fraud is growing rapidly, and criminals are becoming more organized and sophisticated. Simple habits like using gel pens, securing your mail and monitoring your financial accounts closely can make a big difference. Services like USPS Informed Delivery, Positive Pay for businesses and personal data removal tools provide added layers of protection. Identity theft protection services can also offer critical support if you ever become a victim of check fraud.Have you or someone you know experienced check fraud? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/ContactFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading toCyberguy.com/NewsletterAsk Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to coverFollow Kurt on his social channelsAnswers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.