
Chase Positive Pay is a powerful tool that helps businesses prevent check fraud and ensure accurate payment processing. By verifying the authenticity of checks before payment, businesses can avoid costly losses due to counterfeit or altered checks.
Here's how it works: Chase Positive Pay uses a database of check images and payment information to verify the authenticity of each check. This database is regularly updated to ensure the most accurate and up-to-date information.
By using Chase Positive Pay, businesses can reduce their risk of check fraud and enjoy greater peace of mind.
What Is Chase Positive Pay?
Chase Positive Pay is a cash management system designed to reduce incidents of check fraud. It allows the bank to review various aspects of a check and compare them against a list of checks issued.
The system verifies multiple marks on a check to ensure they match the supplied list, preventing altered or fraudulent checks from being paid out.
How It Works
To enroll in Chase Positive Pay, you'll need to go through a simple process that takes just a few minutes. The bank will then start cross-referencing checks presented for exchange against a list of previously authorized payments you provided.
The basic information used by Chase Positive Pay to detect unauthorized check activity includes check number, amount, and account number. You can also include payee information in the list, depending on your bank's requirements.
Here's a step-by-step overview of how Chase Positive Pay works:
- The client (you) enrolls in the program.
- A list of checks is provided to the bank, including payees, dates, amounts, and check numbers, along with the account from which the checks are written.
- The bank cross-references checks that are presented for exchange against the list from the client.
- Checks that are validated are cashed.
- Those that don't match up are set aside as exception items. The bank contacts the client with details about these checks.
- The client notifies the bank whether to proceed or return the checks.
If a check is not matched in your list of authorized payments, it will be rejected by the bank. Depending on your bank, they may ask you to manually resolve the issue or they may simply return the check.
Benefits and Risks
Chase Positive Pay offers several benefits that can be a game-changer for businesses. The system can help prevent fraud by matching checks against a list provided to the bank, ensuring that every check is properly vetted.
Companies can avoid the hassle of closing and opening accounts by using Chase Positive Pay, which also covers ACH transactions. This can save time and effort in the long run.
The system increases control and decreases loss for businesses, allowing them to cash or reject checks without any delays. Any suspicious items are held aside for further review as exception items.
Here are some key benefits of Chase Positive Pay at a glance:
- Fraud control and prevention
- May also cover ACH transactions
- Avoid hassle of closing/opening accounts
- Increased control and decreased loss
Benefits
The benefits of a positive pay service are numerous, and they can help you manage your finances more effectively. Some banks offer the service for free, which is a great perk.
You can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your bank is actively monitoring your transactions to prevent any potential issues. This can be especially helpful if you're a high-net-worth individual or a business owner who handles a large volume of transactions.
The service can also help you avoid costly errors, such as overpaid or underpaid checks. This can save you a significant amount of money in the long run.
If you're interested in the service, it's essential to ask your bank or financial professional about the costs involved. This will help you understand what you're getting into and whether it's worth the investment.
Here are some things to consider when looking at the costs of the service:
- Monthly fees: Some banks charge a flat monthly fee for the service, while others may charge per-use or offer it for free.
- Additional fees: Be aware of charges for additional items, payee matching fees, and issued check fees that may come with the service.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Positive pay is a financial service that offers both benefits and drawbacks. It's a good idea to weigh the pros and cons before deciding if it's right for you.
One of the main advantages of positive pay is fraud control and prevention. It helps prevent scams and unauthorized transactions.
Positive pay may also cover ACH transactions, providing an extra layer of protection. This can give you peace of mind knowing your transactions are secure.
Another benefit of positive pay is avoiding the hassle of closing and opening accounts. This can save you time and effort.
By using positive pay, you can increase control and decrease loss. This can be especially important for businesses that handle a lot of transactions.
Here are some of the key advantages of positive pay:
- Fraud control and prevention
- May also cover ACH transactions
- Avoid hassle of closing/opening accounts
- Increased control and decreased loss
Preventing Issues
Check fraud still exists, with a threat level of around 66% in 2020, and banks reported losses of about $1,500 per item.
Banks can help prevent fraud by using services like the positive pay system, which ensures every check is properly vetted against a list provided to the bank.
This system also ensures efficiency, allowing the bank to cash or reject checks without delays.
Any suspicious items are held aside for further review, providing proper control over questionable documents.
Most banks offer Positive Pay, an automated fraud detection tool, for business accounts to prevent fraudsters from issuing and cashing checks against your bank account.
Not all banks are liable for fraudulent checks, so it's essential to check with your bank and any agreements you have in place to understand your liability.
Key Takeaways
Chase Positive Pay is a system designed to prevent check fraud. It's a service offered by most commercial banks, including Chase, to help companies protect themselves from counterfeit checks.

Identity thieves and fraudsters often try to create and cash fake checks, which is why companies need a system like Chase Positive Pay. Companies usually provide a bank with a list of check details, including the check number, dollar amount, and account number.
The bank compares this list to the actual checks and flags any that don't match. It then notifies the company, which can then decide whether to allow the check to be cashed or not.
Here are the key steps involved in Chase Positive Pay:
- Companies provide a bank with a list of check details.
- The bank compares the list to the actual checks and flags any discrepancies.
- The bank notifies the company of any potential issues.
- The company decides whether to allow the check to be cashed or not.
Companies should be aware that banks may not be responsible for fraudulent checks, so it's essential to thoroughly review the terms and conditions of their financial institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ACH positive pay worth it?
ACH Positive Pay is a valuable tool for businesses, helping to prevent financial losses from forged checks, altered payments, and unauthorized debits. By safeguarding your account, it can save you time and money in the long run
What is JP Morgan positive pay?
JP Morgan Positive Pay is a verification service that checks checks against your business records to prevent fraudulent changes. It helps confirm account numbers, serial numbers, dollar amounts, issue dates, and payee names, but may not detect all altered checks
Sources
- https://www.chase.com/commercial-bankingchase-connect/solutions
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/positive-pay.asp
- https://www.moderntreasury.com/journal/how-to-avoid-check-fraud-with-positive-pay
- https://smallbusiness.chron.com/definition-payee-positive-pay-37979.html
- https://orbograph.com/jpmc-providing-guidance-for-protecting-businesses-against-check-fraud/
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