Do not have your social security or driver’s license number printed on your checks. these numbers, combined with other information on your checks (your name, address, account number, phone number) could give a thief enough details to apply for a fake loan, credit card, or bank account in your name. /p >
Notify your bank if you ordered checks and have not received them within a reasonable period of time, or if some checks are missing. these could be signs that the checks have been stolen.
When writing checks, do not leave blank spaces on the lines designating who the check is to be paid to and the amount. it is better to write the details as close together as possible, avoid abbreviations and draw lines to fill in the blanks. Otherwise, a criminal can easily change what he has written, such as a check made out to i.b.m. could be manipulated to read i.b. moon.
use dark ink, never light colors (green, pink) or pencil that can be easily erased or covered. and if you change your mind after writing all or part of a check, mark “void” on the front first, then shred it into pieces.
Most experts advise against writing your credit card number on a check to a merchant, even if the merchant requests this information. if possible, don’t make a check payable to “cash” (it can be cashed too easily by anyone). and never endorse a check until you are ready to cash or deposit it. Preferably, deposited checks should be endorsed “for deposit only” and your account number should be included. that way, if the check is stolen, it can’t be cashed.
try using your own pre-printed deposit slips. If that’s not possible, make sure the deposit slips piled up in the bank’s lobby don’t have someone else’s account number already written or printed on them. Believe it or not, many depositors don’t pay attention to what’s in their deposit slips, a mistake some thieves have used to enrich their own accounts.
Keep checks in a safe place. in fact, treat them like cash. You may not be ultimately responsible for stolen and forged checks against your account, but it can take a long time to fix problems. Contact your bank immediately if your checkbook or individual checks are lost or stolen. And if you use signature stamps, check printers, or personal computers to facilitate check writing, keep them secure so you know who has access to them.
Don’t just throw away canceled checks, unused deposit slips, old bank statements, or credit card and ATM receipts. crush and destroy them as best you can. These items could be used by a thief to write new checks or order them from a mail-order check printing company.
As you balance your checkbook, be on the lookout for paid checks that are out of sequence or any other unusual items. For example, if your newly canceled checks include one numbered 400 when the rest are 200, that could be a sign that a thief accessed your supply.
Please also notify your bank if you do not receive your statement within a reasonable time. A bank statement contains account numbers, balance information, and other details that could be useful in the event of fraud. Many depository institutions (and their customers) also prefer that canceled checks not be sent on bank statements as a way to prevent thieves from stealing actual checks or obtaining samples or signatures. (Institutions that don’t return checks usually microfilm them and can provide a copy of a check, for a nominal fee, if requested.)
Don’t give out any personal information, such as account numbers and social security numbers, to anyone over the phone unless you initiate the call and know you’re dealing with a trusted business or organization. A common telemarketing scheme is to call you on the phone, supposedly to talk about a gift you’ve “won”, but really to get your checking account information. if successful, this person can use the information to issue a bank draft that deducts funds from your account.