The lure of easy dishonest money is temptation for many a criminal. Illicit gain has attracted thieves into the financial arena. Dishonest fraudsters are easily prevented by employing ordinary security measures.

In early history, fraud would be committed by using deceptive weights and measure by merchants measuring out produce or by con artists stealing money outright. With the arrival of modern banking practices, check fraud is one of the predominant financial crimes.

Consider that when a bank check written to someone, they deposit it in a bank. The bank then sends it to a clearinghouse whereas the clearing house determines if there are sufficient funds to cover the transaction. With this knowledge, the bank is assured that funds are available and deposits the money in that persons account.

For instance, consider home thefts and in store thefts. Studies support that most thefts are done by individuals working for and friends of the company. 80% of thefts are in house and equally divided between employees and delivery persons, so-called friends of the company. All research studies support these general conclusions.

You can't control another's perceived need or their rationalizations but can control their perception of going undetected. The reality check is that you can only affect the feeling that they are being watched, the cookies are being counted and that they cannot go undetected. They need mechanisms in place that makes them think that the cookies are counted before and after they leave.

Criteria for bank check security is the hallmark of the American National Standards Institute's (ANSI). It is accepted and adhered to by all financial institutions. One security feature is that small micro-print is employed that makes photocopying unfeasible. The print breaks up and is easily spotted.

Studies show that 5% of the population are compulsive stealers. The will lie cheat and steal If it is to their benefit. They cannot tell the truth and will slant facts to suit themselves. Also, it should be reported, that 5% of the population will not steal. They would rather starve to death than steal because they are wired by strong ethical behavior and moral principles.

Altered bank checks are genuine checks with an added twist. The intended recipient can be altered or the account number details altered so a con artist can reap the benefit. Alteration will be either of the payee or the amount the check was written for.

The best means of preventing check fraud is to pay attention to your bank checks financial statements. Banks can only do so much. Look over suspicious bank checks and be on guard. Left unchecked, fraud can damage you business or personal finances.