| If you have a bank account, chances are you have | | | | Checklist at |
| checks. Checks can make it easier for us to do our | | | | You should keep track of your checks and never |
| business transactions on a daily basis. There are many | | | | hand out blank ones. There are some people that will |
| people that use checks everyday and do not even | | | | steal blank checks to use for their own personal gain. |
| realize that what they are doing is not safe. There are | | | | This is a form of check fraud and it is against the law. |
| ways to protect you from check identity theft with a | | | | Anyone that does this intentionally will be prosecuted |
| few simple procedures. | | | | and could face serious consequences. |
| Many people like to order their checks through the mail. | | | | You should check your bank statements and make |
| They may get a discount on them and they can get | | | | sure that there are no unusual charges on the |
| nice designs instead of the plain ones that the bank | | | | accounts. Make sure that you are looking at these |
| carries. However some do not feel safe ordering | | | | statements and using them to keep your bank account |
| checks anywhere other than their bank. Usually | | | | safe. If you do not receive a bank statement for a |
| ordering from one of the check companies that are | | | | certain month, you should contact your bank. It may be |
| legitimate is safe. You will notice that they have | | | | possible that they forgot to send one or the |
| security features that will protect your banking | | | | postmaster may have accidentally put it in the wrong |
| information and you will not have to worry about | | | | mailbox. If this is the case you may want to |
| anyone getting your bank account numbers. If you are | | | | double-check your account everyday for suspicious |
| not sure if you are on a safe site, you can call their | | | | behavior. |
| number to be certain. | | | | In this age of the internet and online banking you can |
| It is not a good idea to put your home phone number | | | | keep even closer scrutiny on your account. By |
| on your checks. You can use a cell phone number to | | | | monitoring all activity online you will see each |
| ensure that strangers do not get your home listing. This | | | | transaction much sooner than if you have to wait for |
| will help to lower the risk of unwanted callers bothering | | | | the bank to mail the statement once a month. Your |
| you at home. You should never list your driver's license | | | | ability to detect and react to anything suspicious may |
| number on the check either. Some people have their | | | | be the difference between an inconvenience and a |
| checks printed with their driver's license or social | | | | major life altering event. If you don't have a personal |
| security number on them. This is a terrible idea! | | | | computer and must use public computers to bank |
| The only time that you should put these numbers on | | | | online be very careful. Always delete your user ID and |
| your checks is if the retailer or place of business that | | | | passwords, log out of your accounts when you finish, |
| you are writing the check to needs it for some reason. | | | | and never ask the computer to remember your login |
| Always question their practices and find out why the | | | | information. Failure to heed this advise will leave you |
| need to have the information. You have the right to | | | | terribly vulnerable. |
| want to know what they are doing with your personal | | | | With the right knowledge and follow through actions |
| information. This is only to keep you safe and protect | | | | you can protect yourself from check identity theft and |
| you from any type of check identity fraud. For more | | | | keep your finances safe and secure. |
| great tips download the free Identity Theft Protection | | | | Stay safe. Prevention is MUCH better than recovery! |