News12 New York
N12 Originals
Numbers & Links
Local
Crime
Weather
Politics
Taxing Long Island

Bank refunds Massapequa man thousands of dollars after criminals washed 2 of his checks

After News 12 reported that Roger Kaufman was a victim of check-washing thieves - not once but twice - his bank refunded him nearly $6,000.

Cecilia Dowd

Jul 13, 2026, 5:27 PM

Updated

Share:

More Stories

A bank is refunding a Massapequa man thousands of dollars after criminals washed two of his checks.

Roger Kaufman expressed gratitude that after News 12's report on his falling victim to check-washing thieves, his bank, Flagstar, refunded him the stolen money.

The total was $5,937.00

"I think without you, it doesn't happen," Roger Kaufman told News 12.

As News 12 first reported in early June, Kaufman mailed his tax check to the town, but someone else got to it first.

In that case, the criminal kept the exact amount of the check - $4,937.00 - but changed the recipient's name.

In the second instance, Kaufman sent a $10 check to a lab. That check was stolen and changed to $1,000.

News 12 reached out to Flagstar for comment but has not heard back.

More Stories

Top Stories

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices