Check Fraud

Many fraudulent checks are visibly phony. By paying close attention to a check's appearance, you can often detect a possible bad check before accepting it as payment. When you see one or more of the following telltale signs, you may be looking at a phony check. Protect yourself against possible losses by requiring management approval of the check or asking for an alternative form of payment.

  • No perforation on check edges.
  • Apparently altered writing or erasures.
  • Water spots or alterations of check's color or graphic background.
  • Numbered under 500 (new account)
  • Post-dated
  • Glossy rather than dull finish of magnetic ink
  • Signature does not match imprinted name and ID