Given that the innovation of the check, people have been continuously creating brand-new ways to pass deceptive checks. The National Check Fraud Center estimates that 1.4 million fraudulent checks are composed each day, costing organizations over 10 billion in losses annually. With the advent of MICR toner and desktop laser printers, anyone with the ideal software, an HP LaserJet printer and blank check stock can print a check.
As a company owner, you and your company are prone to check fraud; however, there are ways to defend against it. Here are 6 steps that you and your company can follow to successfully resist check scams.
1. Print Your Own Checks– Real Time – The primary benefit to printing yourself is security. Typically an organization orders inspect stock from a business like Harland or Deluxe and they put the checks in a supply space or closet. These unused checks are a goldmine for any unethical individual that runs across them – all they need to do is get a check from the bottom of the pile, eliminate it. In all likelihood, you’ll never ever know that last check is missing out on until at least a month later, and that’s if you are lucky and you frequently reconcile your check book and take a look at each transaction. We understand because that’s precisely what occurred to us.
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 dealer. She did get that automobile and several weeks later my partner’s wife observed the unusual checks.
By printing your own checks you just stock blank check stock and a MICR toner cartridge. There is absolutely nothing to steal with your account info, they have absolutely nothing however a piece of blank check paper.
Another excellent benefit of printing your own checks actual time is that if you move our modification checking account, you lose absolutely nothing. Just edit your address or account numbering in your check printing software application and you’ve made the switch– No squandered checks, no wasted cash, no waiting on new checks.
2. Purchase Secure Check Stock– When choosing a blank check stock, ensure the check stock is filled with security features– this will make it hard for a fraudster to copy or scan the check. Just recently the United States treasury department invested millions adding security includes the newly redesigned notes. Much of these same security features are now readily available for check stock. Here are some security includes to search for in check paper:
Photo Copier Void Pantograph– This causes the word VOID to appear in the background of a check when copied. A Void Pantograph is developed by engraining an accuracy pattern of lines and dots in the background of the check. The printing of the pantograph is so exact that the VOID is not visible to the human eye, however when copied or scanned they appear making the copied check ineffective.
Micro Printed Border– This very same technology is used on new US currency – magnify the border line around the portrait on the face of one of the newly designed United States costs and you will see the border that seems a line is actually comprised of words. Even modern high resolution printers can not reproduce type this small.
Chemically Reactive Check Paper– A typical way to deface a check is to use chemicals to get rid of the existing writing to change the amount or to whom a check is written to. When it comes in contact with chemicals or solvents making the check unusable, chemically reactive check paper will alter colors.
Watermark– Check paper with a true watermark will show up when held up to the light. A watermark will not be visible on a copied or scanned check.
Listing of security functions– An excellent check stock will list the security features on the back of the check. What good is a security function if no one understands what security functions to try to find?
3. Favorable Pay File Transmittal– An excellent way to stop check fraud is to generate a favorable pay file and transmit it to your bank. Every time you print a batch of checks, you send a positive pay file noting the checks and their total up to your bank. Because it does not match the positive pay file, if a check quantity is modified or a check is duplicated the bank will reject it. Positive pay is fairly common in big companies, but a small business may not have the resources or the software to produce the file and send it. Contact your bank about this service.
4. Inspect Storage/ Access– One key to avoiding check scams is getting rid of, or a minimum of, reducing access to documents with your checking account number on them.
트래픽 프로그램 Mail Theft– Mail theft is an extremely common method checks
Given that the invention of the check, people have actually been continuously inventing new ways to pass fraudulent checks. With the introduction of MICR toner and desktop laser printers, any person with the ideal software, an HP LaserJet printer and blank check stock can print a check.
Purchase Secure Check Stock– When selecting a blank check stock, make sure the check stock is loaded with security functions– this will make it tough for a scammer to copy or scan the check. Every time you print a batch of checks, you send a favorable pay file listing the checks and their quantities to your bank. If a check amount is transformed or a check is duplicated the bank will decline it due to the fact that it does not match the favorable pay file.