The National Check Fraud Center offers consumers the following tips to avoid check fraud: * Make sure your checks are endorsed by your financial institution and incorporate security features that help combat counterfeiting and alteration. * Store your checks, deposit slips, bank statements and canceled checks in a secure and locked location. Never leave your checkbook in your vehicle or in the open. * Reconcile your account statement within 30 days of receipt in order to detect any irregularities. Otherwise, you may become liable for any losses due to check fraud. * Never give your account number to people you do not know, especially over the telephone. Be particularly aware of unsolicited phone sales. Fraud artists can use your account without your authorization and you may end up being responsible. * Unless needed for tax purpose, destroy old canceled checks, account statements, deposit tickets, ATM receipts (they also frequently have your account number and worse yet, your account balance). The personal information on it may help someone impersonate you and take money from your account. * When you receive your check order, make sure all of the checks are there, and that none are missing, and report missing checks to your credit union at once. Should you fail to receive your order by mail, alert your credit union, as checks could have been stolen from mailbox or lost in transient. * If your home is burglarized, check your supply of checks to determine if any have been stolen. Look closely, because thieves will sometimes take only one or two checks from the middle or back of the book. The longer it takes to detect any of your checks have been taken, the more time the criminal has to use them successfully. * Do not mail bills from your mailbox at night because it is a favorite location from which a criminal can gain possession of your check with the intent to defraud you. * Limit the amount of personal information on your check. For example, do not include your Social Security, driver's license or telephone numbers on your check. A criminal can use this information to literally steal your identity by applying for a credit card or loan in your name, or even open a new checking account. * Don't leave blank spaces on the payee and amount lines. * Don't write your credit card number on the check. * Don't make a check payable to cash. If lost or stolen, the check can be cashed by anyone. * Never endorse a check until you are ready to cash or deposit it. The information can be altered if it is lost or stolen.

If you've been a victim of check fraud, or any other type of fraud such as credit card fraud, auction fraud, Nigerian letter scam, etc., you may file a complaint online, at http://www.ifccfbi.gov/cf1.asp