Anatomy of a Check:
Need a little help understanding the different elements of a check? Curious what all those strange symbols are and why you need them? It never hurts to understand a little more about these strange pieces of paper which represent money.

Inside Check Numbers

Concord EFS, Inc.: Elements of a Check

Check Printing Glossary

Manual Checks vs. Computer Checks

MICR:
Did your bank or check provider mention the work MICR (pronounced My-ker)? Want to know what the symbols are used for and how banks are able to read checks with machines? MICR is a critical element of your check if you want it to be processed by banks.

Wikipedia: MICR

Elfring FontsT: What is MICR?

TROY Group, Inc. ("TROY"): What is MICR?

TROY Group, Inc. ("TROY"): History of MICR

What to Print on a Check:
Do you still have your driver's license on your check? How about your phone number? If you said yes, we have a big problem. You need to make some changes immediately to both your business checks and personal checks.

We highly recommend you limit the information on your checks. We recommend that you do not include your driver's license number, social security number, telephone number, or any other unnecessary information on your checks. This makes it all too easy for would-be criminals to begin the process of stealing your identity. Why make it any easier than it already is?

Writing a Check:
Do you know how to fill out a check? How about properly filling out a check? There are a few things you need to know so that you can protect yourself from lurking criminals who are looking for any opportunity to steal from you. A few simple changes will dramatically increase the security of your checks.

About.com: How to Write a Tamper Resistant Check

US Dept. of Treasury: Writing a Check: Understanding Your Rights

Security Features:
You probably don't spend much time thinking about check security but you certainly will if you are ever a victim of check fraud. Be careful about purchasing cheap checks as you may get exactly what you paid for! A few extra dollars spent up front in the form of insurance is going to be so much better that the cost of hiring lawyers and battling in court at a later date. Think long term, not short term, when it comes to protecting yourself and your business.

CPSA: The Padlock

Business Check Security Features

Business Check Colors

Business Check Logos

Personalized & Customized Checks

Check 21:
What is this Check 21 stuff I keep seeing plastered all over the place and how will it impact me? Check 21 does not change the way in which checks are written but rather how they are processed by financial institutions. In the past, paper checks had to be physically transported from where the check was deposited to the bank that paid the check. This process could take anywhere from several days to several weeks to complete. The Check 21 Act was created to address this issue by enabling banks to scan paper checks and send electronic images (substitute checks) for processing thus reducing costs and lowering the fraud risk. Check now clear much faster and this means money from accounts payable and accounts receivable can move in hours.

Federal Reserve Financial Services: Destination Check 21

FTC: Check 21

Wikipedia: Check 21 Act

ABA: Check 21 Resource Center

Federal Reserve: Consumer Guide to Check 21

Check Conversion:
Check conversion (or electronic check processing) is the process of converting payments from a paper check into an electronic payment. Check conversion is one of the fastest growing methods of electronic payment applications. According to NACHA, check conversion has grown to over one billion payments in 2006. The most common types of check conversion are accounts receivable entry (ARC), point-of-purchase (POP), and back-office conversion (BOC). Check conversion results in earlier fraud detection, fewer errors, and fewer bad checks. Automated Clearing House (ACH) is the secure system used for conversion and has been used for more than 30 years for direct deposit and direct payment.

Federal Reserve: Electronic Check Conversion

ABA: Check Conversion

NACHA: Introduction to Check Conversion for Businesses

FTC: Electronic Check Conversion

NACHA: Back Office Conversion


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