In order to avoid becoming an unwitting victim of fraud schemes, you need to know about the existence and consequences of fraud, proper check issuing and timely statement reconcilement.  Following is a brief list of protection tips.

1. Guard your checkbook and checks
2. Never give your account and routing numbers to people you do not know, especially to anyone over the telephone even if the individual  represents him or herself as a bank employee
3. Guard your deposit slips. Never use your deposit slip for “scrap” paper and then give it to someone
4. Properly store or dispose of canceled checks
5. If your checkbook is lost or stolen, immediately inform us
6. When traveling for a period of time, it is wise to leave your checkbook at home, locked away, and purchase a travel card or use your ATM/ChekCard
7. Write your checks using ink pens ..never pencil
8. Write the payee name and the dollar amount in both numbers and letters, as far to the left in the allotted space and draw a line thru the unused space to the right of the letters and numbers to prevent additions
9. When writing the payee name on the “Pay to the Order of” line, make sure the name is spelled out so it cannot be altered.
10. Promptly balance or reconcile your checkbook register with your monthly bank statements