If you're going to put a check in the mail, be very cautious and extra diligent while tracking your finances.

That's the message from Sgt. Stew Williams from the Piatt County Sheriff's Office who told the Hart Media Group on the WHOW Morning Show Tuesday, what he calls the 'check washing' scam has come across his desk multiple times.

According to Sgt. Williams, for the most part, the Piatt County Sheriff's Department has been able to identify the perpetrators, and a few have been known to law enforcement, even in other areas.

One of the pitfalls with scams is that money or assets lost cannot be recovered in full, if at all. Sgt. Williams notes because this is mostly a local operation, there are ways for victims to get restitution.

Sgt. Williams recommends using online payments as much as possible to pay bills. Be discreet when putting checks or any form of payment in the mail.

The Piatt County Sheriff's Office also is noticing the traditional scams that get seniors continue to be an issue, and Sgt. Williams says those will only continue to advance with the capabilities of artificial intelligence.