Cashier’s checks are considered more secure than regular checks, especially for large transactions such as down payments on homes or vehicles. But they’re not completely fraud-proof, and you might be wondering if it’s safe to mail a cashier’s check.

This guide will answer this question and give you additional tips on the most secure ways to mail a check.

What Is a Cashier’s Check?

A cashier’s check is written by a bank or credit union against their own funds. When you request a cashier’s check, the bank moves funds from your account to theirs. The teller then signs a check to a third party—the party you want to pay. Then, you pay for the full value of the check and a small fee for the service.

Cashier’s checks aren’t used for everyday spending. Instead, they’re more suitable for large payments, such as purchasing property, buying a vehicle, or making a down payment on a home loan.

Are Cashier’s Checks Safe To Mail?

Mailing a cashier’s check is generally safer than mailing personal checks. The reasons for this are:

• Bank guarantee—The funds for a cashier’s check are drawn against the bank’s account rather than an individual or business account, which makes it safer 
• Watermarks and security features—Since a bank issues cashier’s checks, they usually contain watermarks, holograms, or special inks. This makes it harder to forge the checks

Keep in mind that a majority of mail check fraud involves stealing checks and then forging or altering them. Since cashier’s checks are bank-issued, banks ensure they’re highly secured.

Still, taking precautions when mailing a cashier’s check—or any check for that matter—is important.

Tips for Secure Check Mailing

Here are seven steps you can take to mail your cashier’s check safely:

1. Deliver to a safe place 
2. Insure the check 
3. Avoid unnecessary personal details
4. Disguise the check 
5. Track your check 
6. Restrict the check
7. Require a signature 

Deliver to a Safe Place

When mailing your check, avoid leaving it on your porch or in mailboxes in your building. The best practice is to drop the check off at the post office or hand it directly to a mail carrier.

If you must leave it in a collection box, drop your check off before the last daily collection. You can check the label on the mailbox door to find mail pickup times. This will ensure your check isn’t left in the box overnight or over the weekend and can reach the mail truck safely. 

Insure the Check

Getting your check insured is another way to protect yourself against loss. In case your check is lost or stolen in the mail, insurance will cover its value.

Avoid Unnecessary Personal Details 

Avoid adding unnecessary personal information—such as credit card details, phone numbers, or driver’s license information—that could be used for identity theft if the envelope is intercepted. Only include what’s necessary for the transaction.

Disguise the Check

Use a plain, non-descriptive envelope to mail your check. If possible, opt for a padded or tamper-evident envelope for extra security. 

You can also use brightly colored envelopes that may be disguised as greeting cards to prevent scammers from identifying your mail as valuable. 

Track Your Checks

USPS, FedEx, and UPS offer tracking services that allow you to monitor the delivery of your check. Tracking lets you verify whether your check has reached the intended recipient and alerts you if it goes missing or stays undelivered for too long. 

However, keep in mind that tracking may complicate delivery for the recipient. For example, they might have to be present for the delivery or make a trip to the post office or delivery center to accept the item.

Restrict the Check

If you want to ensure the check is deposited directly into a bank account, write “For deposit only to the account of the payee” in the endorsement area on the back of the check. 

This restriction makes it difficult for anyone to cash the check without leaving a paper trail. If the check is stolen in transit, the thief cannot easily sign it over to someone else or cash it without providing their bank account details.

Require a Signature

Another security tip is to require a signature as proof of the successful delivery of your check. 

Requiring a signature upon delivery ensures that the check is handed directly to the recipient, reducing the risk of it being lost or stolen.

The Most Secure Ways To Mail a Check

Here are three safe ways to send your check by mail:

1. Registered Mail
2. Certified Mail
3. Courier Services

Registered Mail 

Registered Mail provides the highest level of security offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS). Find more details below:

Service	Customer Service Number	Relevant Page
USPS Registered Mail	1-800-275-8777	Find the nearest post office File a claim

This service is protected by safes, cages, sealed containers, and locks, ensuring tight security throughout the mailing process. Here are some additional security features offered: 

• Signature required—Registered Mail requires a signature upon delivery, ensuring that the check is handed directly to the recipient or their authorized agent
• Restricted delivery—With Registered Mail Restricted Delivery, mailers can direct delivery only to the addressee or the addressee’s authorized agent
• Delivery information—While tracking isn’t provided en route, delivery status or attempted delivery status is available once the item reaches its destination
• System of receipts—A system of receipts is provided to monitor the movement of mail from acceptance to delivery. These receipts can be accessed by initiating a claims form, which cannot be completed by phone

Certified Mail

Certified Mail is another secure mailing option offered by USPS. Find the necessary details in the following table:

Service	Customer Service Number	Relevant Pages
USPS Certified Mail	1-800-275-8777	Find the nearest post office Return Receipt service information

Here’s why it’s a safe way to send checks by mail: 

• Signature requirement—Certified Mail requires a signature from the recipient upon delivery, ensuring that the check is handed directly to the addressee
• Return Receipt option—You can combine Certified Mail with Return Receipt service, which provides proof of the recipient’s signature. The Return Receipt can be delivered to you by mail or electronically
• Delivery verification—Certified Mail offers electronic verification of delivery or attempted delivery. You can check the delivery status through online USPS Tracking or by phone
• Combination with other security services—Certified Mail can be combined with additional services such as restricted delivery, adult signature restricted delivery, and more 

Courier Services 

FedEx and UPS are two of the most secure ways to mail a check—find more information below:

Service	Customer Service Number	Relevant Link
UPS	1-800-742-5877	Help and support center
FedEx	1-800-463-3339	Help and support center

Both offer insurance options, delivery confirmation, signature upon receipt, and comprehensive tracking to ensure your check reaches the intended recipient safely. 

UPS also offers UPS Express Critical Secure, which includes additional security measures like:

• Door-to-door shipment monitoring and milestone updates
• Online shipment visibility
• Minimized touchpoints for added security
• Team drivers for security and precaution
• Qualified and screened security escorts

What To Do if You Lose a Cashier’s Check

If you lose a cashier’s check—either through mail or otherwise—here’s what to do:

1. Notify the bank immediately
2. Request a stop payment
3. Provide a declaration of loss
4. Purchase an indemnity bond
5. Take future precautions

Notify the Bank Immediately

Once you’ve confirmed the check is lost or stolen, gather all the check details and contact the issuing bank immediately. 

Explain the situation and provide details such as check number, issue date, exact amount, and payee name, and tell the customer agent how it went missing. 

Request a Stop Payment

If the cashier’s check hasn’t been cashed yet, your bank may allow you to stop the payment. In this case, the bank will wait 90 days from the date of your check. It will then act within a reasonable time if nothing happens during this period.

However, a stop payment isn’t always possible since cashier’s checks are guaranteed funds. In this case, move on to the next step. 

Provide a Declaration of Loss

You’ll now have to fill out a Declaration of Loss statement. This legal document means you’re asserting your claim on a lost check. 

After signing the Declaration of Loss statement, you’ll typically need to wait 90 days before the bank can issue a replacement check. This waiting period allows time for the original check to be located or for any attempted deposit to be identified.

Once the 90-day period has passed, the bank will usually issue a new cashier’s check. However, if the lost cashier’s check is of significant value, the bank may require you to obtain a bond before issuing a new check.

Purchase an Indemnity Bond

If someone cashes the same check twice and the bank pays out both times, you’ll have to pay the bank back. The bank needs to trust that you can cover this cost, especially with large checks. 

In this case, the bank may ask you to purchase an indemnity bond. This bond protects the bank from liability in case the check is lost, damaged, or stolen again.

You’ll need to go through an insurance company to obtain an indemnity bond. Getting insurance to cover this is expensive and complicated, so it’s usually not an option for most people. Even after securing the indemnity bond, the bank may require an additional waiting period of 30 to 90 days before issuing a replacement check.

Once the 90-day period expires and the check remains outstanding, the bank will release the funds to either the payee or the account owner, depending on who claims it. If another party attempts to deposit the check afterward, the bank will reject the deposit. 

Take Precautions for the Future

While getting a replacement cashier’s check or recovering your losses is possible, this process is complicated and lengthy. 

If you find yourself in this situation, learn from it and take precautions for the future. You should also follow the tips we’ve outlined above to mail your checks safely.

Additionally, consider digital alternatives to checks, especially for large transactions. Opt for electronic fund transfers or secure online banking platforms, offering enhanced security measures to protect your money. 

One example is FortKnox by Austin Capital Bank. It disables ACH debits to your account, which means that, even if someone steals your check despite secure mailing practices, they won’t be able to cash it.