Blog
Protect your payments: How High Security business checks help prevent fraud
5 Minutes
5 Minutes
While the average consumer doesn’t write nearly as many personal checks as they have in the past, checks are still an essential reality in business operations. Of the 12 billion checks written in the U.S. each year, $15.7 trillion of that is sent and received from one business to another.
With such a large volume of checks being cut in the business world, criminals often seek out checks as a means of fraud. A recent AFP study found that 79 percent of organizations reported to being victims of payment fraud attacks or attempts in 2024, with 63 percent noting checks as the subject of that fraud. With modern copier technology able to produce duplicates that rival originals, it's easier than ever for fraudsters to copy and fake a business check.
While check thieves can target anyone, smaller businesses are more susceptible to fraud in general. With fraud of this nature continuing to rise, businesses are wise to seek guidance to help mitigate and protect their payments.
Tips to help protect your business from check fraud
- Choose "signature required" when receiving new checks to avoid them being intercepted.
- Always store your checks in a safe, secure location.
- Destroy unused checks from closed accounts immediately.
- Control access to your company's accounts payable areas and systems.
- Require secure password processes for employees that write and issue checks.
- Balance your accounts daily to detect abnormalities in a timely manner.
- Use a 12-point or larger font for printed checks and a security pen for handwritten checks.
- Know your bank’s policies and understand your liability regarding check fraud prevention.
- Use High Security checks that are designed specifically to help protect your business transactions and assets from fraud.
What is a High Security check?
Because business checks are a common target for fraudsters, the checks themselves should be designed as securely as possible. While regular checks have basic security features, High Security business checks come with additional layers of protection to help deter thieves from copying or manipulating them.
How High Security checks help protect against fraud
Using payment methods specifically designed to help thwart fraud is the first line of defense for any business. As a company that has been in the check business for over 100 years, Deluxe is constantly working to stay a step ahead of criminals. High Security checks from Deluxe incorporate features that help businesses and financial institutions more easily identify the validity of a check when it is presented as payment.
Here are just a few of the security elements High Security checks by Deluxe contain to help prevent check fraud:
1. Microprinting
Successful check fraud depends on the criminal’s ability to replicate a legitimate check, which is why Deluxe’s High Security checks use microprinting to prevent exact copies.
Microprinting is a technology that uses small typefaces in check elements. This type is noticeable and legible when magnified, but when copied, appears as dotted lines. For example, under the top border of a High Security business check are a series of tiny letters (depicted by the abbreviation MP at the end) that can only be seen when magnified.
2. Foil hologram
Foil holograms are another way to add protection to official documents—you may have even seen something similar used on your driver's license.
Each High Security check from Deluxe is hot-stamped with a multi-dimensional seal that cannot be copied as it is applied on top of the paper and not printed. If a fraudster attempted to copy it, the stamp would not appear as a hologram. The foil hologram also comes with multiple security features locked inside, making them immensely difficult to replicate.
3. Heat-sensitive ink
Temperature can be an invaluable resource when it comes to protecting your checks. Deluxe High Security checks feature thermochromic ink that reacts to heat, making it easier to spot as an authentic from a forgery. The heat-sensitive ink disappears when heat is applied, meaning copied checks will not be able to replicate this feature.
These checks also feature Toner Adhesion, which uses heat to bind the toner to the check, making any attempts to lift it that much more noticeable.
4. True watermark
Watermarks are a tried-and-true method for protecting documents from replication. Each High Security check features a watermark pressed into paper, which can be seen when held up to light. Fraudsters, however, cannot reproduce this mark via copier or scanner.
5. Anti-copy technology
Also known as V-Dot, this technology communicates with most color copiers to activate an anti-copy chip, which renders the copy unusable. This feature makes checks very difficult to reproduce on the majority of modern copiers and scanners.
6. Warning box
When you turn the check over, you’ll notice a warning box that lists all the security features that are in place on the check. This warning box also explains how to detect if fraud may have been attempted.
7. Chemical-wash detection area
Check washing occurs when a criminal attempts to change information on the check, such as payee names and dollar amounts. High Security checks feature a built-in alteration barrier to flag when a check has been “washed.” In this event, speckling or stains appear in the chemical alteration area on the back of the check, making it clear that the check has been altered.
8. Additional check security services
Outside of physical and material safeguards, High Security checks from Deluxe also come with additional security services and optional support:
- Fraud Blocker: Deluxe provides fraud screening services to help detect, prevent and mitigate identity theft on covered accounts. This includes flexible, risk-based MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) order screening.
- EZShield® Identity Crime Protection™: EZShield is available as an addition to business check orders to help protect against fraud; this support provides access to dedicated 24/7 restoration specialists to help restore business identity to pre-theft status.
Are High Security checks worth it?
The checks your business uses are an essential part of everyday operations; you shouldn’t have to worry about your security every time you use one. By replacing your existing standard checks with High Security checks from Deluxe, you can ease your mind when sending funds.
Those seeking additional security methods can also benefit from same-day check printing with Print+Mail by Deluxe. These by-demand checks are created in a secure facility, printed on High Security check stock and mailed in security envelopes, all within the same day if the payment request is received by 2pm CST.
Even in today’s digital world, checks remain a top payment choice and necessity for many businesses. From payroll to bill payment, High Security checks from Deluxe can help you ensure your payments remain as secure from fraud as possible.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
