ckfraud.orgNational Check Fraud Center: All you want to know about Check Fraud and Counterfeit Checks

Welcome to the NATIONAL CHECK FRAUD CENTER Your Complete Source for Assistance - Information - Alert Reports regarding Counterfeit Checks - Forgery - Check Fraud - Bank Fraud White Collar Crimes Quick Topic Menu....Select and Contact US Business Card National Check Fraud Center Check Information System Check Investigative Services National Crime Alert Network ON-LINE CRIME REPORT FORM InVeriSys Law Enforcement Network Members Securities Fraud Alert Special Bulletin Affidavit of Forgery Awards And Honors Bad Check Laws by States Bad Check Report for S.C. Bad Check Service Charges Banking Legal Resources Banking Information Canada Public Record Serach Check Fraud Alert Check Fraud Statistics Check Fraud-What is It Check Fraud-Who is Liable? Check Fraud Problems ChexSystems Check Washing-What is It? Common Carriers and Checks Contributing Sponsor Counterfeit Checks Credit Bureaus and Reports Credit Card Fraud Prevention Credit Union Leagues Crime Bite *Authenprint* Depository Law FBI Field Offices FDIC Federal Links Fraud Workshops, Seminars, Keynote Speakers Frequently Asked Questions How Can I Help? How To Be a Smart Bank Customer How To Locate Bank Accounts Identity Fraud Identity Theft / Title 18 State ID Theft Laws Enforcing A Legal Judgment Ink Security on Checks LockBox Banking Most Wanted By States News Services Police Links Postal Inspector Service Locator Privacy Policy Research Links Secret Service Field offices Security Exchange Commission Sherlock Ink-Touch ID State Attorneys General State Regulators State Statues UCC Law Highlights White Collar Crimes Who can Sue Who? National Check Fraud Hotline 843-571-2143 OFFICE HOURS 8am to 6pm (Monday through Friday) Eastern Standard Time CLOSED SATURDAY and SUNDAY MISSION: The National Check Fraud Center, a private organization, provides nationwide, updated multi-source information and intelligence to support local law enforcement, federal agencies, financial and retail communities in the detection, investigation, and the prosecution of known check fraud and white collar crimes. Assistance and support is provided in the areas of check fraud, forgery, counterfeiting, bank fraud, and white collar crimes. STOP SCAMS IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE - IT IS DON'T GIVE OUT BANK OR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION OVER THE PHONE NEVER PAY ANY MONEY FOR ANY PRIZE YOU HAVE WON FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND CREDIT CARD COMPANIES DO NOT SEND EMAILS REQUESTING UPDATED PERSONAL INFORMATION. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CALL NATIONAL CHECK FRAUD CENTER 843-571-2143 OFFICE HOURS 8am to 6pm (Monday through Friday) Eastern Standard Time CLOSED SATURDAY and SUNDAY The National Check Fraud Center has compiled a number of financial crime related articles which will aid you in keeping up to date on crime trends, new federal laws regarding financial fraud, identity fraud, and UCC laws. You can find these articles and many more on our TOPIC MENU PAGE . IDENTITY FRAUD ARE YOU A VICTIM? IF YOU ARE, YOU MUST REACT NOW. CALL US; WE CAN HELP YOU. For Assistance Call NATIONAL CHECK FRAUD CENTER 1-843-571-2143 OFFICE HOURS 8am to 6pm (Monday through Friday) Eastern Standard Time CLOSED SATURDAY and SUNDAY NATIONAL CRIME ALERT NETWORK: The National Crime Alert Network is a network of local law enforcement and federal agencies, financial and retail communities who are notified of known financial and criminal crimes which may directly affect them. The Network will forward intelligence and information which maybe comprised of the suspect's name, description of suspect, bank account information, nature of the crime, and a picture of the suspect when available. Don't depend on your local newspaper to keep you abreast of a crime being committed in your area. Normally, check crimes are not reported in the newspaper until it is too late. The National Crime Alert Network depends on the full participation and sharing of information from merchants, financial centers, and law enforcement agencies. When information is received regarding a crime, after being reviewed by our staff, an Crime Alert will be sent simultaneous to those Network Members either in a given city or State or member category by E-Mail. A criminal referral will also be sent to neighboring police departments along with your personal information for possible follow-up in the jurisdiction where the crime was committed. You must have the use of an e-mail account to receive this information. According to the latest American Bankers Association survey, conducted the summer of 2001, showed that check fraud had increased 20% at community banks and 27% at regional banks since the previous survey two years earlier. Check fraud at large banks has doubled in the last two years. Large bank losses are increasing 17% annually. According to the survey banks who participated experienced an estimated 447,342 fraud cases, with an average loss of $1,518. The most common source of check fraud was checks written against consumer accounts. The most common type was forgery, followed by NSF and closed accounts. About a quarter to a third of fraud is linked to new accounts. For additional information, send your Inquiry to Crime Alert Network CRIME REPORTING FORM: The National Check Fraud Center is open 8am to 6pm Monday through Friday, Eastern Standard Time, and closed on Saturday and Sunday. You may now report your bad check crimes or any other type crime by using our On-Line Crime Report Form and have the information added to our national data base. When we receive your Crime Report, our staff will review your remarks and if all necessary information has been provided, a copy of your Crime Report will be sent back to you in a different format, on our letter head, by email with further instructions. After processing your information and intelligence, a criminal activity Alert will be forward to the respected Police Departments or Federal Agencies . The information that we received will be added to our national database which is maintained by Check Information Systems . Financial Crime Financial crime is considered by many as the number one crime problem facing police agencies today. In 1994, the number one crime for the State of South Carolina was not murder, grand larceny, car thief, or domestic violence, but was Check Fraud This is what it is all about! CAUTION!!! CHECK FRAUD - FORGED CHECKS COUNTERFEIT CHECKS - CREDIT CARD FRAUD Since October 1999, we have seen a steady increase in financial fraud. Normally, from October through February is the most busy time of the year for scam artists. If you are a consumer, you must always be extra cautious particularly in shopping center and at the ATM machines. Among the crowds will be scam artist waiting for the right moment to catch you off guard. Safety Tips to follow: Should you write a check for your purchase, make sure you only provide only the necessary identification required--your name, address, phone number, and your driver license or state ID. Many merchants are now requiring your SSN. Unless you want to purchase the item from this particular merchant, DO NOT PROVIDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, go somewhere else, Take your time at the counter. Make sure you retrieve your ID or Driver License, credit card and your credit slip after your purchase, Secure your receipts in a safe place on your person as you shop. A scam artist can have a heyday with a lost credit slip, Your pocketbook should always be securely closed and if available with a shoulder strap, it should be criss-crossed over your shoulder. If you are a business merchant you must remember that credit card fraud and check fraud will be you biggest enemy in the course of your business trade. Let your guard down, I assure you that regardless the amount of sales you make, losses to credit card and check fraud can make or break you. Put your staff on HIGH alert. You need to train your sales clerk in the acceptance of checks and credit cards. If you are not sure what to teach them, ask your banker or lo...