Planters First Bank is proud to join forces with the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) in partnership with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service on an initiative to help customers protect themselves from the growing threat of check fraud. In support of this initiative, Planters First Bank offers educational materials and personal guidance to ensure customers have the tools they need to safeguard their financial assets and respond if they experience check fraud.
"At Planters First Bank, our priority is helping customers stay informed and secure," said Kandi Clem, Marketing Support Officer and Fraud Committee Member. "Through initiatives like our Fight Fraud Fridays on social media and the free educational resources available on our website, we’re committed to raising awareness and promoting smart, safe banking habits. By sharing these tools and hosting important conversations about fraud prevention, we empower our customers to protect their accounts and strengthen their financial future."
Check fraud schemes often involve the interception and alteration of legitimate checks, resulting in millions of dollars in losses each year for consumers and businesses. According to a recent ICBA poll conducted by Morning Consult, one in five Americans has or knows someone who has been affected by check fraud.
UNITED STATES POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE: How to Prevent Check Fraud (PDF)
Planters First Bank and ICBA offer the following tips to help protect against fraud:
Tips to Prevent Check Fraud and Protect Mail
- Send checks securely using the letter slots inside your Post Office or by handing them directly to a letter carrier. Pick up your mail promptly and avoid leaving it in your mailbox overnight.
- Sign up for Informed Delivery at USPS.com to receive daily email notifications of incoming mail and packages.
Additional Tips to Protect Checks
- Use pens with indelible black ink and avoid leaving blank spaces on checks to reduce the risk of alteration.
- Monitor your accounts regularly using online or mobile banking and verify that checks reach their intended recipient(s).
Steps to Take if You Are a Victim of Check Fraud
- Report fraudulent activity to Planters First Bank immediately and request copies of altered or counterfeit checks for your records.
- Provide law enforcement with copies of fraudulent checks and details about how, when, and where the fraud occurred to assist their investigation.
“Community banks play a vital role in educating and protecting customers from financial fraud,” ICBA Vice President for Operational Risk and Payments Policy Scott Anchin said. “Through partnerships like this, we are equipping consumers with actionable information to prevent check fraud and reinforcing the trusted relationship they have with their local community banks.”
Customers are invited to visit their local branch to learn more about preventing check fraud and receive personalized advice on securing their finances. Additional resources are also available at www.plantersfirst.bank.
About ICBA
The Independent Community Bankers of America® has one mission: to create and promote an environment where community banks flourish. We power the potential of the nation’s community banks through effective advocacy, education, and innovation.
As local and trusted sources of credit, America’s community banks leverage their relationship-based business model and innovative offerings to channel deposits into the neighborhoods they serve, creating jobs, fostering economic prosperity, and fueling their customers’ financial goals and dreams. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at icba.org.