6 Ways To Avoid Check Fraud

Because the creation of the check, individuals have been constantly creating new methods to pass deceitful checks. The National Check Fraud Center approximates that 1.4 million fraudulent checks are written every day, costing services over 10 billion in losses each year. Deceptive check writers have found a buddy in new innovation such as color copiers, high resolution scanners and magnetic or MICR toner. MICR means Magnetic Ink Character Recognition, and it describes the magnetically encoded line at the bottom of each check. Typically, this line could only be printed with a highly specialized magnetic ink on a balanced out press. With the arrival of MICR toner and desktop laser printers, any person with the best software application, an HP LaserJet printer and blank check stock can print a check.

As a business owner, you and your business are prone to examine fraud; however, there are methods to guard against it. Here are 6 steps that you and your company can follow to successfully resist check scams.

Typically a company orders inspect stock from a company like Harland or Deluxe and they put the checks in a supply room or closet. These unused checks are a goldmine for any disreputable individual that runs across them – all they have to do is grab a check from the bottom of the stack, eliminate it. In all probability, you’ll never ever know that last check is missing until at least a month later, and that’s if you are fortunate and you regularly reconcile your check book and examine each deal.

In 1993, we had an employee that unwisely took the last page in our check book. Our Ex-Employee filled them out to herself and passed them as payroll checks at a used vehicle dealership. She did get that automobile and numerous weeks later on my partner’s better half observed the uncommon checks.

By printing your own checks you only stock blank check stock and a MICR toner cartridge. There is absolutely nothing to take with your account information, they have nothing but a piece of blank check paper. Naturally you are still available to a brand-new kind of fraud if someone is able to access your check printing software application. Make sure it’s password protected and your network rights are setup so that regular users can’t access the directory that it resides in.

Another great benefit of printing your own checks actual time is that if you move our change checking account, you lose absolutely nothing. Simply edit your address or account numbering in your check printing software and you’ve made the switch– No wasted checks, no squandered money, no awaiting new checks.

2. Buy Secure Check Stock– When choosing a blank check stock, ensure the check stock is packed with security functions– this will make it difficult for a fraudster to copy or scan the check. 트래픽 작업 Just recently the United States treasury department invested millions adding security includes the newly redesigned notes. A number of these same security functions are now offered for check stock. Here are some security includes to look for in check paper:

When copied, copier Void Pantograph– This triggers the word VOID to appear in the background of a check. A Void Pantograph is developed by engraining a precision pattern of lines and dots in the background of the check. The printing of the pantograph is so precise that the VOID is not noticeable to the human eye, but when copied or scanned they appear making the copied check worthless.

Micro Printed Border– This exact same technology is used on new United States currency – amplify the border line around the portrait on the face of among the recently designed US expenses and you will see the border that seems a line is in fact comprised of words. Even modern high resolution printers can not recreate type this small.

Chemically Reactive Check Paper– A common method to ruin a check is to use chemicals to eliminate the existing writing to change the amount or to whom a check is composed to. When it comes in contact with chemicals or solvents making the check unusable, chemically reactive check paper will change colors.

When held up to the light, Watermark– Check paper with a true watermark will reveal up. A watermark will not be visible on a copied or scanned check.

Listing of security features– A good check stock will note the security includes on the back of the check. What excellent is a security function if nobody understands what security functions to look for?

3. Positive Pay File Transmittal– An excellent way to stop check scams is to create a favorable pay file and transmit it to your bank. Every time you print a batch of checks, you transmit a favorable pay file listing the checks and their amounts to your bank. If a check quantity is modified or a check is duplicated the bank will reject it due to the fact that it does not match the favorable pay file. Favorable pay is fairly typical in large business, but a little company might not have the resources or the software to produce the file and send it. Contact your bank about this service.

4. Check Storage/ Access– One secret to preventing check fraud is getting rid of, or a minimum of, decreasing access to files with your savings account number on them.

Mail Theft– Mail theft is an extremely common way checks

Because the development of the check, individuals have been continuously inventing brand-new methods to pass deceitful checks. With the advent of MICR toner and desktop laser printers, anybody with the best software application, an HP LaserJet printer and blank check stock can print a check.

Buy Secure Check Stock– When selecting a blank check stock, make sure the check stock is loaded with security functions– this will make it difficult for a scammer to copy or scan the check. Every time you print a batch of checks, you transmit a favorable pay file noting the checks and their amounts to your bank. If a check quantity is transformed or a check is duplicated the bank will reject it because it does not match the favorable pay file.