What does altering a check to change the payee's name involve?

Altering a check to change the payee's name typically involves changing or washing the check by adding letters or words. This method is known as check washing, where the original payee's name is obscured and replaced with another name. The material used to wash the check can remove or fade the ink without destroying the overall integrity of the document, allowing the perpetrator to write a new payee's name.

This technique highlights the importance of thorough examination of checks and the necessity for institutions to take preventive measures, such as using check stock that is resistant to alterations. Other methods listed do not accurately describe the common practice. Completely rewriting the check could be one way to alter it, but it's not a standard practice due to the higher risk of detection. Adding stamps or using invisible ink would not effectively change the payee's name in a way that would be viable for fraudulent purposes. Therefore, the approach involving changing or washing the check accurately reflects the fraudulent activity being described.