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Chase Bank has a zero-liability policy for unauthorized transactions on debit cards, but this policy doesn't apply to checks.
You can report suspected check fraud to Chase Bank by calling their customer service number or visiting a branch in person.
Chase Bank will investigate the matter and may close the account to prevent further losses.
It's essential to monitor your account activity regularly to catch any suspicious transactions early on.
Chase Bank offers account alerts to help you stay on top of your account activity and detect potential fraud.
Chase Bank's Response
Chase was quick to address the viral trend and set the record straight on the reality of people's actions.
They froze thousands of accounts and started to reconcile balances after being made aware of the incident.
Regardless of what you see online, depositing a fraudulent check and withdrawing the funds from your account is fraud, plain and simple.
Chase has shared information with law enforcement, which was easy enough since it was their own customers who committed fraud.
Many customers shared surprised reactions of negative balances on TikTok, which is likely due to their accounts being in overdraft after writing bad checks.
Intriguing read: How to Check for Old Bank Accounts
Prevention and Best Practices
To prevent check fraud, it's essential to follow best practices, such as ordering checks directly from your bank, which can have better security features like watermarks that are harder to duplicate.
Fill out checks fully and completely, including the numerical value, full name of the recipient, date, and a note. Drawing a line to the end of every space can also help prevent someone from adding themselves as a recipient.
Depositing checks promptly is also crucial. You can use tools like Chase QuickDepositâ to conveniently deposit checks from your phone, and cash business checks as soon as they arrive.
Properly disposing of checks is also important. Once deposited, either shred them to obscure personal information or void and store them in a safe place.
Here are some additional tips to help prevent check fraud:
- Use Account Alerts and mobile banking solutions like the Chase Mobile app to monitor account activity in real time.
- Enroll in Check Monitoring, which lets you review the business checks you issued before they're deposited.
- Consider Check Protection Services, which can help streamline check tracking by comparing issued and presented checks to flag discrepancies.
Follow Best Practices
To prevent fraud, it's essential to follow best practices when handling checks. Order checks directly from your bank to ensure they have better security features like watermarks that are harder to duplicate.
Fill out checks fully and completely by writing out the numerical value in addition to the full name of the recipient, the date, and a note. Draw a line to the end of every space to prevent someone from writing an extra zero or adding themselves as a recipient.
Deposit checks promptly, and cash business checks as soon as they arrive. You can use tools like Chase QuickDepositâ to conveniently deposit them from your phone.
Properly dispose of checks once they're deposited by either shredding them to obscure personal information or voiding and storing them in a safe place.
Keep a close eye on your finances by setting up Account Alerts and using mobile banking solutions like the Chase Mobile app to monitor account activity in real time.
Enroll in Check Monitoring to review the business checks you issued before they're deposited. If the check you review doesn't match the one you issued, you can alert your bank not to cash it.
Consider using Check Protection Services if you write a lot of checks. This service can help streamline check tracking by uploading or entering all issued checks and comparing them to flag discrepancies.
Here are some additional tips to prevent check washing:
- Take outgoing mail directly to the post office for increased secure delivery.
- Don't let delivered mail sit in your mailbox.
- Write checks using permanent ink to prevent erasure.
By following these best practices and taking a few extra precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of check fraud and keep your finances safe.
Alternative Payment Options
You can avoid the risk of check fraud by exploring alternative payment options. Online Bill Pay is one such option that allows you to set up recurring payments and transfer money electronically.
Automatic Clearing House (ACH) is another convenient way to send money to vendors and employees through Direct Deposit. This method is reliable and efficient.
Wires are a great option for transferring money internationally and domestically. This method is fast and secure.
You can find more information about preventing check fraud and these alternative payment options on Chase's Fraud and Security Services page.
Explore further: Payment Bank
Check Fraud Scams
Check fraud scams are a serious issue, and it's essential to be aware of them to protect yourself. Chase Bank has addressed a recent viral trend of people depositing fraudulent checks and withdrawing the funds, freezing thousands of accounts in the process.
Chase has made it clear that depositing a fraudulent check and withdrawing the funds is, in fact, fraud. It's surprising how many people didn't realize this, but it's a good reminder to always be cautious with checks.
Here are some tips to help you avoid falling victim to check fraud scams:
- Verify the person's identity before issuing payment.
- Slow down the transaction if someone rushes you to send money.
It's also a good idea to safeguard your business checkbook and monitor your accounts regularly to catch any suspicious activity early on. This can help prevent serious damage from occurring before you notice.
Stolen Checkbook
A stolen checkbook is a nightmare scenario for any business owner. If your checkbook falls into the wrong hands, scammers can easily write checks for any amount and forge your signature.
You may think it's just a single check, but a stolen checkbook can yield as many opportunities for fraud as there are checks. This can lead to serious damage before you even notice.
Safeguard your business checkbook by keeping it in a secure location, and only order as many checks as necessary to fulfill short-term needs.
To minimize the risk, it's essential to monitor your accounts regularly to catch fraud early. This way, you can prevent further damage and take action to rectify the situation.
Here are some key tips to protect your business from checkbook fraud:
- Safeguard your business checkbook.
- Order only as many business checks as necessary to fulfill short-term needs.
- Monitor your accounts to catch fraud early.
Cash-Back Scams
Cash-back scams are a sneaky way for scammers to take advantage of businesses. A popular scam involves customers paying more than the amount due for goods or services with a bad check and then requesting a refund for the surplus amount.
This type of scam can be devastating for businesses, especially small ones. You've lost your time or inventory and the money you refunded.
To avoid falling victim to cash-back scams, it's essential to be cautious when accepting payments. Avoid accepting overpayments for goods and services, as this can lead to financial losses.
Here are some tips to help you avoid cash-back scams:
- Avoid accepting overpayments for goods and services.
- Ensure that a check has cleared before issuing a refund.
- Work with vendors you trust.
TikTok Scam Participation
Participating in a check fraud scam can lead to serious consequences, including fines and incarceration. If you're caught on camera knowingly writing a bad check, it may be hard to claim ignorance.
You may face life-changing financial consequences, including the inability to open credit cards, checking accounts, or apply for loans. This can make it difficult to recover from the scam.
Returning the money to get your account back to normal is a good idea, but be cautious of asking for a refund on overdraft fees.
Sources
- https://www.acfe.com/acfe-insights-blog/blog-detail
- https://schneiderdowns.com/our-thoughts-on/chase-bank-viral-trend-check-fraud/
- https://lifehacker.com/money/that-tiktok-chase-bank-glitch-was-actually-check-fraud
- https://www.tcnjsignalnews.com/article/2024/09/viral-chase-bank-glitch-leads-to-large-investigation
- https://www.chase.com/business/knowledge-center/manage/check-fraud
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