Check Fraud and Verification

Before buying personal or business checks you should inform yourself of the best ways to protect yourself from check fraud. Since man has written checks check fraud has existed. Like any fraud, check fraud emerged as crafty con artists discovered they could photocopy checks or alter checks to steal money from innocent victims. Thanks to technological advances and craftier con artists, check fraud is as common as a cup of coffee.

As a consumer you should concern yourself with ways to prevent or reduce the chances that checks you write will fall victim to fraud. Fortunately there are many ways to reduce the likelihood of fraud. Whether you are a fan of cheap checks, high quality business checks or personal checks that express your personality, there is security available for you. Chances are you'll find what you're looking for and the security to protect you from check fraud with a little planning.

Once you know what to look for, there s no reason you should fall victim to thieves, crafty or otherwise. Let's take a look at some common security measures check companies use to protect you from thieves.

Check Security

Many check companies including Deluxe? checks now offer consumers special features to help prevent the likelihood of fraud. Among the more common measures adopted to protect consumers include:

• Microprinting - micro printing is simply print on the check that is small enough to prevent someone from photocopying the information on the check.
• Erasure Protection - this protection prevents anyone from erasing information on the check. A white spot appears if someone tries this.
• Original Document - each check is printed with the words original document that can't be photocopied.

Other companies including Quicken? checks and Quickbooks? checks are taking measures to ensure your safety. Among the security features adopted by these companies include:

• Small print. Like Deluxe? checks this prevents thieves from photocopying your information.
• Erasure protection.
• Special detail including foil and embossing. This also makes it difficult for thieves to photocopy checks.

Of course the best thing you can do to protect yourself from thieves is balance your checkbook and reconcile monthly statements. This should let you know if someone is writing false checks in your name. Top stub checks provide an easy and convenient place for you to write down transaction details if you don't have time to document purchases in your check register immediately.

Worried that cheap checks won't provide the same protections? Fear not! When buying cheap personal checks find out whether the print on the checks is small. This will help prevent photocopying. Foil and embossing is also available on some styles. This, and any intricate design will help reduce the likelihood that someone will photocopy your checks. The simpler the check, the easier it may be for a thief to copy.

Lastly, if your someone steals your checkbook be sure to contact your bank immediately. There are several measures you can take to protect your identity. You can either transfer funds to a separate account or stop payment on the series of checks in the checkbook stolen. Your bank should provide you with extra information about protecting your identity.

Check Verification

Retailers are also protecting themselves from check fraud. The number one way they are doing this is through check verification. There are several check verification companies that use machines to verify whether a check will clear or not. The more common companies include:

• SCAN
• TeleCheck
• Check Rite
• Equifax
• ChexSystems

If one of these machines dings your check as bad and you know you have cash in your account, it is possible someone might be passing checks in your name. You can call the check verification company to find out and correct any wrong information.

Keep in mind while most people don't intentionally write bad checks or checks they know will bounce, if you do these machines are likely to stop you cold in your tracks.

Now that you know how to protect yourself from check fraud and what security measures are available to help protect you, why not get those daffy duck checks you have been dreaming about?

About The Author:
Antigone Arthur is a successful freelance writer with 10 years of professional experience providing consumers with informative articles on such topics as Deluxe checks, Quickbooks checks, and Quicken checks.

---

Check Fraud and Verification

Before buying personal or business checks you should inform yourself... Read More

10 Tips to Make Sure Your Financial Budget Will Succeed

You've analyzed your past expenses, put them into spreadsheets, loaded... Read More

10 Tips To Save Money When Dining Out

Here are some tips that can help you save money... Read More

Budget Planning - Its Elementary My Dear Watson

Does it feel like you have to be Sherlock Holmes... Read More

How To Reap The Rewards With Rewards Programs

Recently, many of these loyalty rewards programs have come to... Read More

The World is Not Enough - Calling for a More Ethical Approach to Personal Finance

At a time when the entire world's attention is focused... Read More

How to Obtain a Non ChexSystems Bank Account Without Being Scammed

Predatory lending exists in the mortgage industry. It's typically when... Read More

Stretching Your Grocery Dollars

Shopping for groceries is an inevitable fact of our ever... Read More

Simple Ways to Save Money

Things are so expensive these days. We seem to be... Read More

Avoiding A Nightmare On Renovation Street

You've decided you want a bigger, better and more desirable... Read More

Save Money on Groceries: Part I

One universal of humanity, no matter who you are or... Read More

Save Money on your Clothing Budget. Tame the Closet Monster!

Reducing the clothing budget was a serious challenge for me.... Read More

Why We Are Never Satisfied with What We Have

I have to admit, I do it too. I complain.... Read More

Financing Collectibles for Fun and Profit

With the advent of the internet and especially auction services... Read More

A Quck Lesson in Saving Money

Did you have a piggy bank when you were a... Read More

Why Live Frugally

What is it about being frugal, why do it at... Read More

Chex Systems ? Why Every American Needs To Guard His Checking Account With His Life

Most Americans have been brought up to be concerned about... Read More

Introduction to Australian Superannuation

Australians, in general, constitute some of the worst savers in... Read More

Personal Finance - Have Consumers Had a Belly Full of Personal Debt?

For months, we were trigger-swipe happy, putting our groceries, clothes,... Read More

10 Steps To Improve Your Financial Situation

Here are ten steps you can follow to help improve... Read More

Knowing Me, Knowing You: Why ID Protection Plans Are Flawed For Fraud

ID theft is a major consumer concern, though there is... Read More

How to Choose the Right Bank for Your Online Business

You should thoroughly consider your business needs when selecting a... Read More

Understanding Your Finances Can Give You Power And Choice

What is finance and what do you need to know?... Read More

Government Grants - Beware of Scams

As the saying goes: "Buyer Beware". If you see ads... Read More

Adverse Debt Levels Blight UK Consumers Personal Finances

Debt levels are at an all time high in the... Read More

Money Matters - Really!

One of the biggest challenges facing black RELATIONSHIPS today are... Read More

Saving Money - Are You Doing Enough?

It is estimated that we, as consumers, waste an average... Read More

What is a Traditional IRA?

With a traditional Investment Retirement Account (IRA) you pay taxes... Read More

Affording a Home

Can you really afford a house? If so, how much... Read More

Are You Sick of the Financial Insecurity of Fluctuating Seasons and Income?

Finding a stable and secure income that will come year... Read More

Succession Planning

Have you ever thought about what you are going to... Read More

Im Broke, How Can I Afford...

I'm still amazed every time someone comes to me complaining... Read More

Debt Management ? More Ways to Save on Gas Consumption

The price of gas continues to climb, and with continued... Read More