| Before buying personal or business checks you should | | | | reconcile monthly statements. This should let you know |
| inform yourself of the best ways to protect yourself | | | | if someone is writing false checks in your name. Top |
| from check fraud. Since man has written checks | | | | stub checks provide an easy and convenient place for |
| check fraud has existed. Like any fraud, check fraud | | | | you to write down transaction details if you don't have |
| emerged as crafty con artists discovered they could | | | | time to document purchases in your check register |
| photocopy checks or alter checks to steal money | | | | immediately. |
| from innocent victims. Thanks to technological | | | | Worried that cheap checks won't provide the same |
| advances and craftier con artists, check fraud is as | | | | protections? Fear not! When buying cheap personal |
| common as a cup of coffee. | | | | checks find out whether the print on the checks is |
| As a consumer you should concern yourself with | | | | small. This will help prevent photocopying. Foil and |
| ways to prevent or reduce the chances that checks | | | | embossing is also available on some styles. This, and |
| you write will fall victim to fraud. Fortunately there are | | | | any intricate design will help reduce the likelihood that |
| many ways to reduce the likelihood of fraud. Whether | | | | someone will photocopy your checks. The simpler the |
| you are a fan of cheap checks, high quality business | | | | check, the easier it may be for a thief to copy. |
| checks or personal checks that express your | | | | Lastly, if your someone steals your checkbook be |
| personality, there is security available for you. Chances | | | | sure to contact your bank immediately. There are |
| are you'll find what you're looking for and the security | | | | several measures you can take to protect your |
| to protect you from check fraud with a little planning. | | | | identity. You can either transfer funds to a separate |
| Once you know what to look for, there s no reason | | | | account or stop payment on the series of checks in |
| you should fall victim to thieves, crafty or otherwise. | | | | the checkbook stolen. Your bank should provide you |
| Let's take a look at some common security measures | | | | with extra information about protecting your identity. |
| check companies use to protect you from thieves. | | | | Check Verification |
| Check Security | | | | Retailers are also protecting themselves from check |
| Many check companies including Deluxe(TM) checks | | | | fraud. The number one way they are doing this is |
| now offer consumers special features to help prevent | | | | through check verification. There are several check |
| the likelihood of fraud. Among the more common | | | | verification companies that use machines to verify |
| measures adopted to protect consumers include: | | | | whether a check will clear or not. The more common |
| - Microprinting - micro printing is simply print on the | | | | companies include: |
| check that is small enough to prevent someone from | | | | - SCAN |
| photocopying the information on the check. | | | | - TeleCheck |
| - Erasure Protection - this protection prevents anyone | | | | - Check Rite |
| from erasing information on the check. A white spot | | | | - Equifax |
| appears if someone tries this. | | | | - ChexSystems |
| - Original Document - each check is printed with the | | | | If one of these machines dings your check as bad and |
| words original document that can't be photocopied. | | | | you know you have cash in your account, it is possible |
| Other companies including Quicken(TM) checks and | | | | someone might be passing checks in your name. You |
| Quickbooks(TM) checks are taking measures to | | | | can call the check verification company to find out and |
| ensure your safety. Among the security features | | | | correct any wrong information. |
| adopted by these companies include: | | | | Keep in mind while most people don't intentionally write |
| - Small print. Like Deluxe(TM) checks this prevents | | | | bad checks or checks they know will bounce, if you |
| thieves from photocopying your information. | | | | do these machines are likely to stop you cold in your |
| - Erasure protection. | | | | tracks. |
| - Special detail including foil and embossing. This also | | | | Now that you know how to protect yourself from |
| makes it difficult for thieves to photocopy checks. | | | | check fraud and what security measures are available |
| Of course the best thing you can do to protect | | | | to help protect you, why not get those daffy duck |
| yourself from thieves is balance your checkbook and | | | | checks you have been dreaming about? |