Don't abbreviate 2020 — It could leave you vulnerable to fraud

Chevaz Clarke

The new year has just begun, providing a new opportunity for scam artists to forge documents. Authorities are warning that shortening "2020" to just "20" could leave you vulnerable to fraud.

If you wrote a signed check dated "1/3/20," for example, a scammer could easily change the date to read "2019," "2000," or any other year from this century. The scammers could use this change to try and cash an old check or forge an unpaid debt.  The solution? Write out the full date. "It could possibly protect you and prevent legal issues on paperwork," tweeted Dusty Rhodes, an auditor in Hamilton County, Ohio.

"Prevent yourself from becoming a victim," the NYPD 120th Precinct warned.

Crime Prevention tip of the day, Never Abbreviate 2020 when signing documents! For example 1/5/20 could be altered to 1/5/2018. Abbreviating the year can lead to fraud, Prevent yourself from becoming a Victim. pic.twitter.com/2YR5qRcK7U

— NYPD 120th Precinct (@NYPD120Pct) January 3, 2020

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