Although there have been many ways to continue prevention of check fraud in the United States, unfortunately this illegal action does still exist. Of course, attempts are much less prevalent with the security features and added services check companies and manufacturers now include and offer when you order checks. However, the use of personal checks continues to be your safest way to pay in the United States.

Criminals have been known to defraud both individuals and financial institutions of their hard-earned funds by doing things like forging stolen checks or using stolen personal information from a check.

Having someone steal your money is not something anyone wants to deal with. Here are a few tips on how to prevent check fraud.

Take care of your checkbook

One way to prevent check fraud is to take care of your checkbook to make sure the checkbook itself, or none of the checks inside, get stolen. Therefore, don’t leave it on the seat of your car, on the table of a restaurant or sticking out of your pocket or purse. One way to further prevent this theft is to use more secured zippered checkbook wallets like those sold by The Bradford Exchange Checks.

All in all, make sure your checkbook and extra checks are stored in a secure location at all times.

Mail bill payments through the post office

Seeing a mailbox with the red flag up can be an easy signal for criminals that there’s a golden opportunity inside to steal checks and personal information.

There’s an easy way to prevent this. Should you have a large bill payment, go to your local post office to mail it or use a secure mailbox.

Make sure checks haven’t been stolen

Should your home or car get broken into, go to the spot where you kept them and make sure no checks have been stolen. It’s possible the fraud artists will take checks from the middle of your checkbook, so make sure you check closely.

If you have purchased inexpensive services like EZShield Check Fraud protection, be sure to contact them right away. They will assign a dedicated professional to initiate your claims and processes to minimize the impacts on your account and identity right away. For only pennies a check, these services can go a long way in expediting the processes and providing you constant peace of mind.

Balance your checkbook consistently

Balance your checkbook in order to reconcile your bank statement by keeping your own accounting records. This way you can present any difference between your bank account and your records should something happen.