Dear Heloise: A few weeks ago, I went to my bank to ask why I hadn’t received the new checks that I ordered. It had been three weeks since I placed the order, and at the time, I was told that it would take about six days to get them in the mail. Well, as it turned out, the bank did send the checks to me, but thieves had removed them from my mailbox.

Within days, I discovered that the thieves had gone on a shopping spree, writing checks for a total of $600 at three different liquor stores in another state. They wrote checks for $300 at a discount store, $200 at an auto parts store, and tried (and failed) to write a check for a $24,000 car! I was told that when this happens, they usually (but not always) have an accomplice working at these places who approves the check. Then they split the profits or split the items that were obtained illegally.

Needless to say, I was not held responsible for these illegal transactions. My bank was very understanding and helped me change my account numbers. They also put a watch on my account for further illegal transactions. If a check or debit number does not match your account number, potential charges will be declined, and you will be safe from further harassment by thieves.

Now I pick up my checks from the bank and no longer have them mailed to my home. In addition to this, my bank encouraged me to avoid scams by using their Positive Pay program. Positive Pay allows you to approve or deny a check or debit charge from all of your automatic monthly or annual bills. Your bank may also have a program like this.

One last warning: Checks will eventually be fazed out as Americans rely more and more on credit and debit cards. Until then, be very diligent with your finances. — N.Y., in Indiana

IDEAL BOOKMARK

Dear Heloise: The best bookmark I have ever used consists of several layers of a sticky note. You can stick it anywhere on the page, and it will not fall out. If you use larger ones, you can take short notes on it, like when reading a Dickens novel. If the sticky note gets weak, just discard the bottom one for a fresh adhesive. You can place it right at the point you stopped reading, too. — J.B., via email

WATERING THE TREE

Dear Heloise: This past Christmas, we put up a real Scotch pine Christmas tree. It made the entire house smell like a forest, and it was great until we forgot to keep water in the tree stand. The tree ended up drying out, and a fire started.

We will be using an artificial tree next year, but I can’t forget how lucky we were that my husband’s quick thinking put out the fire quickly. He dragged the tree outside — ornaments and all — and threw it in the snow while I called the fire department. Our home was safe, but my husband ended up burning his hands!

Please remind folks who read your column to be careful with real trees. And to always keep water in those tree stands! — J.P.M., in Pennsylvania

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Hints from Heloise run occasionally in Lifestyles. Readers may send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE, or email: Heloise@Heloise.com. Letters won’t be answered personally.