The use of checks has been steadily declining for two decades, in particular to the benefit of bank cards and digital means of payment.

According to figures from the Banque de France, they only represented 5% of non-cash transactions (everything that is not coins and banknotes) in 2020. Nevertheless, it is sometimes difficult to do without them !

However, according to 2021 data from the Observatory for the Security of Payment Means, checks have been the most fraudulent payment method for four years, just ahead of credit cards.

For that year, there were some 465 million euros in fraudulent transactions, knowing that 161 million euros in fraudulent discounts could be neutralized.

Losses and thefts represent the majority of sources of fraud, ahead of falsification and diversion.

Safety reflexes

To prevent scammers from using your checks, you must be particularly vigilant.

Never leave your checkbook in your vehicle and avoid keeping it in the same place as your ID.

Similarly, finish your book before starting a new one, so as to limit the number of checkbooks in your possession and check your account regularly (at least once a week) to check that everything is in order.

In the event of an abnormal delay in receiving your checkbook or if you can no longer find it, contact your bank quickly and make an opposition if necessary. When issuing a check, you must ensure that you fill it in carefully to avoid risks. of falsification.

For this, preferably use a black ballpoint pen without ink (more difficult to make up), write well at the beginning of each line or box and draw a line horizontally on the unfilled part to avoid any subsequent addition of sum.

For more security, it is still better to indicate the amount in figures with cents, even if it is a round figure (like 100.00 euros for example).

Of course, don't forget to specify the date and place, then sign your check.

As a recipient, avoid receiving payments through this channel as much as possible.

If so, check that the check is filled out correctly and cash it as soon as possible by writing your account number on the back and signing it.

OUR “PAYMENT” FILE

Finally, in the particular case of bank checks, you must ensure that it includes the security watermark and contact the issuing bank to ask for confirmation of the transaction.

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