Practice Safe Checks

Check Safety Guide

Fasten Your Seatbelt: Follow These Steps to Stay Safe When Using Checks

The Cost of Check Fraud

Buckle up: while the use of checks has declined by 25%, reports of check fraud have nearly doubled since 2021.* With criminals becoming more sophisticated, it's crucial to stay vigilant and protect your financial information.

Step 1: Recognize That Checks Contain Sensitive Information

An Unprotected Check is a Gold Mine for Criminals.

• Your name and contact information can be taken
• Account and routing numbers can be stolen
• Blank spaces could leave room for alterations
• Information in the memo line can be too personal
• Your signature can be stolen to forge other documents

 

Step 2: Understand the Mechanics of Check Theft, Washing and Forging

• Check Theft - Criminals frequently raid mailboxes and intercept mail, snatching checks to access and manipulate your personal details.
• Check Washing - Scammers will use chemicals to "wash" checks, erasing and rewriting details to siphon funds into their accounts.
• Check Forging - Armed with routing numbers, criminals easily create fake checks using modern printers and software.

 

Step 3: Protect Your Money

Use your bank's digital payment options whenever possible. If checks are your only option, follow these tips:

1. Use Permanent Gel Pens - Protect yourself by using permanent ink when you write a check.
2. Avoid Blank Spaces - Ensure your check leaves no room for criminal alterations by filling out each line completely.
3. Withhold Personal Information - Don't add personal information like your Social Security number, driver's license details or phone number to your checks.
4. Review Accounts - Regularly log on to your online banking platform to quickly identify anything out of the ordinary.
5. Check Your Checks - Analyze your paid checks to ensure the amount is correct and the indorsement reflects the intended payee to guard against unauthorized deposits.

 

Step 4: Practice Check Safety

Now sit back, relax and send checks safely!

*2024 Findings from the Diary of Consumer Payment Choices, Federal Reserve Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Suspicious Activity Report Statistics. Copyright © 2024 American Bankers Association

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