Write 2020, Not Just 20 on Checks or Documents

It's now the year 2020.  And normally any one of us would just abbreviate and just write '20 when signing any sort of date.

If you write out any sort of check (unless the first 20 is already there like on this example) or a document that needs a full date, experts are advising that you actually write out the entire year.  Here's why:

This year's abbreviation is easily changeable and could be used against you. The concern is that scammers could easily manipulate a document dated "1/1/20" into "1/1/2000" or even "1/1/2021."

It opens up to possible fraud.  No one wants yet another opportunity to have something changed that is going to hurt you with either your credit or any other way to be scammed. Seriously, who wants that?  It's so tiring.  It seems to be endless.  Every day seems to bring another scam.

"Say you agreed to make payments beginning on 1/15/20. The bad guy could theoretically establish that you began owing your obligation on 1/15/2019, and try to collect additional $$$," Rheingold wrote.

In the future, post-dating could be a problem too. For example, a check dated "1/1/20" could become "1/1/2021" next year, possibly making the uncashed check active again, Rheingold wrote. A similar method could be used for debts that are past the statute of limits.

So, cheers to another year, and another way for hackers and scammers to pose a new threat.  So, 2020 it is.. .and so on for the next decade.