Writing a Tamper-Resistant Check
Most adults are well aware of how to write a check, but do you know how to write one that is safe? All a scam artist needs is a check that is not written properly to be able to tap into the money in your bank account for their own fraudulent use. By knowing how to write a tamper-resistant check, you can limit your chances that your bank account is a scam artist’s next victim.
Using All Caps
For everything that you have to fill out on the check, you should use all capital letters. This can include the payee name, dollar amount and even any items in the memo section. A capital letter is more difficult for scam artist to alter than a lowercase one.
Writing Checks that Can’t “Grow”
As you fill out the dollar amount portion of your check, ensure that there is no blank space for someone to add a few more dollars to the end of your check. To do this you will start at the far left corner and write in your dollar amount and then draw a line from the end of your dollar amount to the right side of the box. By leaving spaces on your dollar amounts, scam artists can simply add in another digit and a check that was once for $100 can now be for $1000.
Carbon Copies
Though carbon copies seem rather outdated in the financial world, they are one of the easiest ways to research past checks you have written. Many financial institutions no longer offer carbon copies; therefore you may want to research a bank that actually does.
Signature Consistency
If your signature is often inconsistent, now is the time to perfect it. Always have the same signature for your checks that way your banking institution will have an easier time determining whether or not a check is fraudulent or just your sloppy handwriting.
Signing Blank Checks
Signing a blank check is an obvious no-no, but people still do it. If you do not know the name of the payee or the amount, do not fill out the rest of the check until you do. Walking around with signed blank checks can put you at a great risk for someone taking advantage and filling in their own dollar amount.
Cash Out
If you want to get some cash, never make out your checks to “Cash” in order to do so. Use an ATM or go directly into your bank and fill out a withdrawal slip.
Permanent Writing
Whenever you write out a check, ensure that the writing is permanent. Use ink and never use pencil for a check. Pencil can easily be erased and changed without the bank ever finding evidence of such.
Online Bill Pay
An online bill pay service can be a consumer’s most effective way to save themselves from the risk of their checks being stolen out of the mail. Instead of mailing in your payments, sign up with automatic bill pay from your banking institution. These payments may still go through the mail, but these are more controlled than payments from your home.