Don't Abbreviate 2020 When Signing Documents, Police Say

We're a little over thirty-six hours into 2020 and while you might not be used to writing '20' instead of '19' on your checks and important documents, police are urging consumers to write out the full year.

Why? The date is easily changeable and criminals can adjust it so that it could be used against you. Someone could add additional digits to the abbreviated year so that instead of 1/2/20, the date could read 1/2/2019.

The East Millinocket Police Department in Maine shared the helpful tip on their Facebook page.

"This is very sound advice and should be considered when signing any legal or professional document. It could potentially save you some trouble down the road," the police department said. 

"When writing the date in 2020, write the year in its entirety. It could possibly protect you and prevent legal issues on paperwork. " according to Hamilton County, Ohio, Auditor Dusty Rhodes wrote on Twitter.