Even in today’s digital world, checks are still part of many people’s financial lives — whether you’re paying rent, sending a birthday gift, or handling a small business transaction. But every time you write or mail a check, you’re exposing personal and account information that fraudsters love to target. That’s why being smart about how you write, handle, and send checks matters.
We’re proud to partner with the American Bankers Association on the #PracticeSafeChecks campaign — a nationwide effort to help consumers protect themselves from check fraud and other risks. For complete resources and tips, visit PracticeSafeChecks.com.
Below are practical steps you can take today to help safeguard your financial information and reduce your risk of fraud:
1. Use Permanent Gel Pens
Writing checks with permanent gel ink makes it much harder for criminals to “wash” or alter the information with chemicals.
2. Avoid Blank Spaces
Fill in every field on your check so there’s no room for someone to add extra amounts or change the payee’s name.
3. Withhold Personal Information
Your check already shows your name and account details. Avoid adding extra personal data like phone numbers or Social Security numbers that could be used to steal your identity.
4. Review Your Accounts Often
Log in to your online banking regularly and look for unauthorized or unfamiliar transactions. The sooner you catch something suspicious, the easier it is to stop it.
5. Check Your Checks
Once a check clears, take a moment to verify the endorsement, amount, and payee details in your account history. That confirmation helps ensure nothing was altered behind the scenes.
6. Use Digital Payments When Possible
Electronic payments — like your bank’s online bill pay or mobile payment apps — add layers of encryption and security that paper checks don’t have. This is a safer alternative when feasible.
7. Follow Up With Your Payee
After sending a check, confirm the recipient received it and that it’s processed. This simple step can alert you quickly if something goes missing.
Criminals often target checks because of the sensitive details they contain — your name, address, bank routing number, and signature. If a check is stolen or intercepted in the mail, it can be altered, forged, or used to steal from your account. By adopting smart habits like those above, you make it far less likely that your checks become a gold mine for scammers.
We’re committed to helping our customers protect their financial wellbeing. To learn more and access the full set of safe-check tips and resources, visit Practice Safe Checks at:
👉 https://www.practicesafechecks.com/