Check Fraud

Check fraud is on the rise. Follow these easy tips to stop check fraud before it happens and enjoy a stress-free summer.

  • Pay digitally. When possible avoid writing a check and use secure electronic payments like account-to-account transfers, ACH, wire transfers and debit or credit cards to pay bills. Use Zelle® to pay family and friends you know and trust.
  • Order checks from your bank. Opt for security features like watermarks that make it harder to create fake checks. Leave your phone number and address off printed checks. 
  • Use a black gel pen. When you write a check, use a black gel pen - the ink makes it difficult to remove or change information and alter the check.
  • Prevent check theft. Store blank checks in a locked cabinet or desk in your home or office. When mailing checks, use the mailbox inside a USPS facility instead of a curbside USPS mailbox or your residential outgoing mail.
  • Stay in the know. Log in to FNBCC Online Banking and set up account activity alerts and notifications.
  • Check your account daily. It's easy with FNBCC Online Banking and our mobile app. Review check images and verify the check clearing your account is accurate and valid.

Plus, FNBCC Treasury Management business clients automatically get an extra layer of fraud protection with Positive Pay, a service that compares information on issued checks with checks presented for payment. If it’s not a match, the business receives an alert to approve or deny payment.

The bottom line: it pays to be proactive. Take steps to prevent check fraud, set up account alerts, monitor online banking transactions and look at all your account statements.