As technology increases, so does the risk of fraud.
It’s becoming far too easy for criminals to steal money from innocent people. 抢劫银行已经没有必要了, because criminals can now score higher amounts of money directly using their home computers and a high-quality color printer. One of the newest and easiest types of theft is check fraud. Annual losses due to check fraud are now estimated at billions of dollars, and that continues to grow with smarter technology. 对于消费者, the inconveniences and stressors caused by problems with their accounts are troubling and time-consuming, which is exactly why we want to train our members in this area so you won’t fall victim to these attacks.
它是如何工作的??
Check fraud occurs when a criminal takes your printed 检查 or reproduces them with computer software. Then, they’re able to cash those 检查, pulling money directly from your checking account. This is becoming increasingly common and can happen in a variety of ways.
Check fraud is typically committed through these criminal methods:
- 伪造: Signing a check without authorization or endorsing a check not payable to the endorser
- 盗窃: Stealing 检查 to use for fraudulent purposes
- 论文挂: Writing 检查 结清帐目, or ordering and writing 检查 结清帐目
- 检查开空头支票: Intentionally gaining access to funds deposited in one account before the bank collects them from another
- 清洗: Using chemicals to remove information from a check
- 造假: Illegally printing 检查 using information from the victim’s account
Take these steps to avoid check fraud:
- 保护你的支票. 把支票存起来, 存款单, bank statements and canceled 检查 in a secure and locked location.
- 毁掉你不需要的东西. Unless needed for tax purposes, destroy old 检查, statements, deposit tickets, and ATM receipts.
- 监控你的账户. Look through your account statements on a regular basis to ensure all transactions were completed by you. You could also set up text alerts to catch fraudulent activity right as it occurs.
- 不要把支票留在车里. Never leave your checkbook in public places, but especially not in your car. It’s too easy for fraud artists to break into your vehicle!
- 避免从家里寄支票. Thieves often steal right from your mailbox. Always choose to mail 检查 from your post office.
- Avoid giving information on the phone. Be wary of giving your account number over the phone. 欺诈sters often trick victims through unsolicited phone sales.
- 检查你的支票. If your home is burglarized, look for your 检查 to determine if they’ve been stolen. 仔细看, because thieves will sometimes take only one or two 检查 from the middle or back of the book. The longer it takes to detect if 检查 have been taken, the more time the criminal has to use them successfully.
This information is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice. Consult with your tax, legal or financial adviser before taking any action.
