Skilled professional criminals are using sophisticated technologies to easily defraud individuals and their financial institutions using a copy of a check and or an individual’s personal information. A thief is able to create new, authentic looking checks using a blank check or personal information obtained from an intercepted check mailed to pay a bill. Common-sense and a logical approach with the way an individual uses andstores checks can help reduce the risk of this type of loss.
WAYS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF CHECK FRAUD
2. Reconcile your bank statement as soon as possible after receipt (within 20 days) to detect any irregularities. Delays may subject you to liability for any losses due to check fraud.
3. Protect your checks – Store your checkbook, blank checks, deposit slips and bank statements in a secure location.
4. Don’t leave blank spaces on the payee or payment amount lines on your checks.
5. Monitor check orders to ensure they are received timely and immediately verify that all checks were received with the order.
6. Mail bill payments through the Post Office and not from your mail box at home. Seeing the upright red flag on your home mail box is a favorite signal for criminals to look in the box and steal whatever is there.
7. Do not add personal information on your check (Social Security #, Driver’s License # or DOB).
8. Destroy (shred) cancelled checks (if received), account statements and deposit tickets unless needed for tax purposes.
9. Use your own pre-printed deposit slips and make sure the account number on your slip is correct. Thieves have made attempts to alter deposit slips at drive-up windows in the hope that bank representatives will not notice with the result that the funds are deposited into the thief’s account.
10. Don’t ever make a check payable to cash and also, never endorse a check until you are ready to cash the item or make the deposit. If lost or stolen, a check made payable to cash may be legally and rightfully cashed by anyone.
11. If someone pays you with a cashier’s check, be cautious and if possible, have them accompany you to the bank to cash the item. If you need to accept a check for payment, do so during normal business hours so you can verify with the financial institution that it is legitimate. Make sure you obtain identification information from the individual.
12. If your home is burglarized, determine if any checks have been stolen. Look closely because thieves will take checks from the back or middle of your check book to avoid immediate detection.
-Allied Solutions
In our modern times, checks are very common which is why several unlawful individuals have thought of several ways to get hold of easy money through these small pieces of paper. Therefore, it is very much advisable to be cautious with the use of such. These simple tips you have shared in preventing check fraud are very useful. Thank you for sharing.
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