JEDDAH — A number of banks have expressed worry over a video promoting magic pens and lighters that help fraudsters tamper with the numbers and information on checks, Al-Hayat daily reported. The banks have warned their customers on social media about similar fraud cases that might take place. The pens and lighters can alter information on the check in a way that can only be spotted by careful eyes. Some banks have issued their VIP customers checkbooks with carbon copies so their clients can keep a copy of the check for themselves and stay protected against fraudulent activities. Talat Hafiz, secretary-general of the media and awareness committee for Saudi banks, said the recent video that went viral on social media websites could not be verified yet. “If the video is authentic and there is a pen or a lighter that can erase information on the check or tamper with it, then this is forgery and the person involved in it will be punished by law,” he said. He urged all bank account holders to double check monetary transactions and document them with their banks. Ahmad Al-Sudairi, lawyer, said forgery is punishable by prison and fines. In some cases, prison sentences can reach 10 years and fines SR10 million.
