How to Ensure Your Business Checks Are Secure From Fraud

Checks may be an established way to pay vendors, employees and other business expenses, but they remain a common target for fraud. Criminals can wash checks, alter payee names or amounts, create counterfeits or steal blank checks and use them without authorization. Simply ordering checks from a legitimate supplier doesn’t necessarily protect you. The check stock itself should have features that make tampering and copying more difficult.

How can you ensure your business checks are secure from fraud? RELYCO, which specializes in high-security business check stock and has over 35 years of experience, offers several useful considerations when evaluating your options.

1. Start With Checks Designed for Fraud Prevention

The first step is to choose a check stock specifically designed to deter fraud, rather than treating security as an afterthought. This is important because checks remain among the most frequently targeted payment methods by criminals.

According to the Association for Financial Professionals’ 2026 Payments Fraud and Control Survey, 58% of organizations reported check fraud in 2025, making checks more frequently affected by fraud than ACH and wire payments. The risks can take several forms, including:

Check washing, where information is chemically removed and rewritten.
Altered payee names or amounts on legitimate checks.
Counterfeit checks created from copied or reproduced documents.
Internal theft, including unauthorized access to blank check stock.
Copying and scanning, which can be used to reproduce checks.

High-security check stock can make these methods more difficult and, in some cases, make attempts at alteration easier to detect.

2. Know Which Security Features to Look For

Look for multiple layers of protection, since visible elements can discourage criminals, while hidden or reactive ones can help expose attempts to alter or reproduce a check.

RELYCO explains, “Visible security features are an effective way to deter criminals, and each additional feature makes your check more secure.”

Depending on the check stock, useful features can include watermarks and simulated watermarks, microprinting, copy-void pantographs and covert fluorescent fibers. Thermochromic heat-reactive ink, solvent-reactive features, enhanced toner adhesion and security backgrounds are also good attributes.

Having more than one security feature is important because different security features address various methods of fraud. For example, a watermark can help authenticate the paper, while a copy-void feature can make a reproduced check visibly different from the original.

3. Check Tamper Resistance Features

A legitimate check can still become fraudulent after it leaves your business. Someone may attempt to remove information, change an amount or alter the document before presenting it for payment. That makes tamper resistance just as vital as preventing counterfeit checks.

Find features that can help reveal chemical alteration, physical manipulation, splicing, copying or scanning. Solvent-reactive color spotting can help expose chemical attempts to alter the check, while anti-splice backers can make physical modification more difficult. Copy-void features and enhanced toner adhesion can add further protection against reproduction and manipulation.

RELYCO specifically recommends high-security check stock with dual-tone true watermarks, toner anchorage and thermochromatic ink. According to the company, these features are intended to prevent common methods of alteration, such as chemical washing and photocopying.

4. Make Sure Your Checks Meet Current Standards

Security is only useful if your checks can be processed properly by the banking systems that handle them. Before ordering, confirm that your supplier keeps its check stock aligned with relevant industry standards. One criterion to look for is the ASC X9AB Check Processing Committee-approved standard, which covers check processing. RELYCO says its business and custom check stock is updated to comply with ASC X9AB-approved standards.

You should still confirm the requirements that apply to your bank and account before ordering. Don’t assume that every type of check stock will work with your particular setup simply because it is marketed as secure.

5. Choose a Supplier You Can Rely On

Your supplier is part of your security strategy. When comparing options, consider whether the business clearly explains its safety specifications and keeps its products up to date. Here’s what you need to check:

Clearly documented security features
Information about applicable standards
Consistent product specifications
Options compatible with your banking setup
Straightforward ordering and customer support

A supplier should be able to explain what makes its checks secure, rather than simply describing them as “fraud-resistant.” This gives you a clearer basis for comparing products and choosing the right level of protection for your business.

6. Consider Customization Without Sacrificing Security

Your business may need checks customized with its branding, account information, layouts or other operational details. That doesn’t mean security features need to take a back seat. For example, security-focused options can include image-friendly amount boxes, voidless postal windows and nonnegotiable stub backers. These features can help a check work smoothly within your payment process while adding another layer of protection.

RELYCO notes, “Fraudsters will stop at nothing to uncover payment methods with the weakest controls.” In other words, customization should support your workflow without creating unnecessary weaknesses in the check itself.

7. Make Secure Checks Easy to Order and Use

Security measures are easier to maintain when they fit naturally into your payment process. If ordering replacement checks is complicated or the available options are unclear, you may be tempted to settle for a less secure alternative.

That’s why it’s important to work with a supplier that provides clear product specifications, straightforward ordering, suitable layouts and consistent availability. You should also be able to understand which security features you are getting before you place an order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the most common questions about security features for business checks.

What are the most important security features for business checks?

Look for several security measures working together, including watermarks, microprinting, copy-void features, chemical-reactive safeguards and other anti-tampering features. According to RELYCO, each additional security feature can make a business check more difficult for criminals to copy or alter.

What are the best secure checks for small businesses?

The best option depends on your payment process and banking requirements. However, it’s best to choose check stock with multiple security features, current processing standards and a reliable supplier. Don’t make price your only deciding factor when the cost of fraud can be much greater.

How can you protect business checks from internal theft?

Keep blank checks in a secure location and limit access to authorized employees. Track check numbers, reconcile your bank account regularly and investigate unfamiliar transactions promptly. These controls work alongside security features built into the check stock.

Give Fraud a Reality Check

Securing your business checks starts with choosing check stock that does more than carry your payment information. Make sure there are multiple layers of fraud prevention and tamper resistance, confirm that the checks meet relevant processing standards and choose a supplier that can clearly explain its security features.

This post may contain affiliate links.

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Urban Arrow Ebike – Last year, I made one of the largest purchases I’ve ever made – I bought a $9,000 electric cargo bike from Urban Arrow. In my Urban Arrow review, I will discuss what it is and why I decided to buy this bike, as well as discuss how impactful a bike like this can be on your journey to financial independence.
Troxus Explorer Step-Thru Ebike – The Troxus Explorer Step-Thru is a fat-tire ebike that I’ve had the pleasure of riding for a while now. It has amazing power, great looks, and awesome range. If you’re looking for a great fat-tire ebike that offers a lot for the price, the Troxus Explorer Step-Thru is definitely one for you to consider. Check out my Troxus Explorer Step-Thru Review.
Hovsco HovBeta Ebike – The HovBeta is a folding ebike with great specs and a lot of interesting features, and importantly, it’s sold at a good price point. I’ve had a blast commuting with it and using it to do deliveries with DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. Check out my Hovsco HovBeta Ebike Review.
Vanpowers Manidae Ebike – The Vanpowers Manidae is a fat tire ebike that I’ve been riding as my primary winter commuting bike and have also been using it to do food delivery with apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. After clocking in a decent number of miles with this ebike, I wanted to write a post sharing what my experience with the Vanpowers Manidae ebike has been like. Check out my Vanpowers Manidae Review.
Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding EBike Review – A Great Value Folding Ebike – The Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding Ebike is an entry-level folding ebike that offers a lot of value for the price point. I’ve been riding the Sohamo S3 for a while now, putting the bike through its paces, and I have to say, this bike has exceeded all of my expectations. Check out my Sohamo Review.
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Hiboy P7 Commuter Ebike – The Hiboy P7 is an excellent electric commuter bike that’s offered at an affordable price point. The range and speed of this bike are both very good, so you won’t have any trouble getting anywhere you need to go with it. As a food delivery vehicle, this is also good – with how much range it offers, you’ll be able to work all day on a single charge. Check out my Hiboy P7 Commuter Electric Bike Review.
Himiway Escape Ebike – The Himiway Escape is an interesting bike for anyone looking for a moped-style ebike. If you’re a gig economy worker, the Himiway Escape is particularly interesting and it’s possible to think of it as an investment, especially if you can opt to do deliveries with the Himiway versus using a car. It’s not cheap, but you can definitely make your money back when you compare the mileage you’ll put on your car versus using an ebike. Check out my Himiway Escape Bike Review.
Espin Sport Ebike – The Espin Sport is a good ebike for someone who is looking for an ebike that feels and rides more like a regular bike. There are many ebikes that are really only bikes in name. In reality, they’re basically electric mopeds. The Espin Sport, by contrast, is a bike you could probably ride without the battery and you’d feel like you’re just riding a regular bike. Check out my Espin Sport Review.
Varla Eagle One Scooter – The Varla Eagle One is an excellent scooter that can make sense for a lot of people. It can work as a primary mode of transportation. You can use it to work on gig economy apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. And it can also be a recreational vehicle if you’d prefer to use it for that. Check out my Varla Eagle One Review.
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More Recommended Investing App Bonuses

For additional investing app bonuses, be sure to check out the ones below:

M1 Finance ($75) – This is a great robo-advisor that has no fees and allows you to create a customized portfolio based on your risk tolerance. You also get $75 for opening an account. Check out my M1 Finance Referral Bonus – Step-By-Step Guide.
SoFi Invest ($25) – SoFi Invest is an easy brokerage account bonus that you can earn with just a few minutes of work. Use my SoFi Invest referral link, fund your SoFi Invest brokerage account with just $10 and you’ll get $25 of free stock. I also have a step-by-step guide for the SoFi Invest referral bonus.
Robinhood (1 free stock) – Robinhood gives you a free stock valued between $2.50-$225 if you open an account using my referral link.
Public (1 free stock) - Public gives you a free stock valued between $3-$70 if you open an account using my referral link.

More Recommended Bank Account Bonuses

If you’re looking for more easy bank bonuses, check out the below options. These bonuses are all easy to earn and have no fees or minimum balance requirements to worry about.

Ally Bank ($100) – Of all the banks out there, Ally is, without a doubt, my favorite. At the moment, Ally is offering $100 to customers who open an eligible Ally account and meet the requirements. Here are the step-by-step directions to earn your Ally Bank referral bonus.
Chime ($100) - Chime is a free bank account that offers a referral bonus if you use a referral link and complete a direct deposit of $200 or more. In practice, any ACH transfer into this account triggers the bonus. This bonus is easy to earn and posts instantly, so you’ll know if you met the requirements as soon as you move money into the account. I wrote a step-by-step guide on how to earn your Chime referral bonus that I recommend you check out.
US Bank Business ($400/$1200) – This is a fairly easy bank bonus to earn, since there are no direct deposit requirements. In addition, you can open the Silver Business Checking account, which comes with no monthly fees. Check out how to earn this big bonus here.
Current ($50) – Current is a free fintech bank that’s offering new users a $50 referral bonus after signing up for an account using a referral link. Current is an easy bonus to earn and also gives you access to three savings accounts that pay you 4% interest on up to $2,000. That means you can put away up to $6,000 earning 4% interest. That’s very good and makes Current an account I recommend to everyone. Check out my step-by-step guide on how to earn your Current Bank bonus.
Novo Bank ($40) - Novo bank is a free business checking account that’s currently offering a $40 bonus if you open a Novo business checking account using a referral link. In addition to being a good bank bonus, Novo is also a good business checking account. It has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements and operates a good app and website. Indeed, it’s the business checking account I currently use for this blog. Check out my post on how to easily open a Novo account.
Varo ($25) – Varo is a free fintech banking app similar to Chime or Current. It’s currently offering a $25 bonus to new users that open a new Varo account with a referral link. The bonus for this bank is very easy to meet, all you need to do is spend $20 within 30 days of opening your Varo account. Check out my step-by-step guide to learn how to earn this bonus.

Kevin is an attorney and the blogger behind Financial Panther, a blog about personal finance, travel hacking, and side hustling using the gig economy. He paid off $87,000 worth of student loans in just 2.5 years by choosing not to live like a big shot lawyer.

Kevin is passionate about earning money using the gig economy and you can see all the ways he makes extra income every month in his side hustle reports.

Kevin is also big on using the latest fintech apps to improve his finances. Some of Kevin's favorite fintech apps include:

SoFi Money. A really good checking account with absolutely no fees. You'll get a $25 referral bonus if you open a SoFi Money account with a referral link, and an additional $300 if you complete a direct deposit.
5% Savings Accounts. I'm currently getting 5.24% interest on my savings through a company called Raisin. Opening a Raisin account takes minutes to complete, it's free, and all of your funds are FDIC-insured. I explain how it works, why I'm now using it to store my emergency fund and any other cash savings I have, and why I recommend everyone check it out in this review.
US Bank Business. US Bank is currently offering new business customers a $400/$1200 signup bonus after opening a new account and meeting certain requirements.
M1 Finance. This is a great robo-advisor that has no fees and allows you to create a customized portfolio based on your risk tolerance. You also get $75 for opening an account.
Empower. One of best free apps you can use to monitor your portfolio and track your net worth. This is one of the apps I use to track my financial accounts.

Feel free to send Kevin a message here.