FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: ABA Media Contact: Sarah Grano, sgrano@aba.com
Leah Driver, ldriver@mycsbin.com, 765-529-5450
Citizens State Bank Joins ABA and Banks Across US for New #PracticeSafeChecks Consumer Education Campaign
New Castle, IN (January 13, 2025)—Today Citizens State Bank (CSB) joined the American Bankers Association and banks across the nation to promote an industry-wide campaign educating consumers about the rapid rise in check fraud and how they can protect themselves. Reports of check fraud have nearly doubled since 2021, according to a 2023 report from the Boston Fed, and those numbers continue to climb. The #PracticeSafeChecks campaign empowers consumers with tips and tools to help combat the significant threat posed by check fraud and check washing scams.
Brock Davis, Chief Banking Officer, commented," At Citizens State Bank, safeguarding our customers' finances is our top priority. Participating in this campaign to prevent check fraud is a natural extension of that commitment. By raising awareness and providing tools to protect against fraud, we're empowering our clients to stay one step ahead of evolving threats."
“Criminal gangs across the country are turning to check fraud and check washing to steal money from banks and their customers,” said Paul Benda, executive vice president, risk, fraud and cybersecurity at ABA. “With the strong support of participating banks like Citizens State Bank, we are confident that the #PracticeSafeChecks campaign will help consumers better protect themselves from this criminal activity.”
The #PracticeSafeChecks website, www.practicesafechecks.com, is the heart of the campaign and reminds consumers that every time they write a check, they are exposing their personal information — such as name, address and bank account number — and encourages them to use digital banking options to send money whenever possible. Also available in Spanish at www.cuidatuscheques.com, the website offers the following airline-themed safety tips:
- Use permanent gel pens. Just like wearing a seatbelt when you fly, use permanent ink when you write a check.
- Avoid blank spaces. Fill those overhead compartments before take-off! Similarly, make sure you fill out every blank space on a check so criminals can't fill them in instead.
- Withhold personal information. The person in the middle seat doesn't need to know your life story, just like you don't need to add personal information (like your social security number) to your checks.
- Review your accounts. Monitor account activity on your digital banking platform as attentively as you await a safe arrival message from a loved one. Regular reviews ensure you quickly notice anything out of the ordinary.
- Check your checks. Regularly review your paid checks as thoroughly as airport staff check your boarding pass. Ensure the endorsement is correct and reflects the intended payee and amount to guard against fraud.
- Use digital payment options. If you're switching to digital boarding passes, why not switch to your bank's payment app or online bill pay for fast and secure payments?
- Follow up. Just as you confirm your flight details, make sure to follow up with payees to confirm they've received and deposited your check.
In addition, the #PracticeSafeChecks website covers where personal information gets exposed in checks, explains how criminals and scammers execute check fraud and offers an airline-themed, comprehensive #PracticeSafeChecks guide.
The campaign also features two new #PracticeSafeChecks videos designed to be fun and entertaining to engage consumers. One video offers a fun twist on airline safety checks and the other uses a giant check to emphasize the inconvenience and vulnerabilities of using checks.
To learn more about check fraud and check washing, visit www.practicesafechecks.com.
About Citizens State Bank
Citizens State Bank is a fourth-generation family-owned community bank that has offered personal and business financial services in Central Indiana since 1873. Our mission is to help our clients, co-workers, and communities succeed. We believe every client deserves to have a banker they can count on, and we are committed to being a responsible, knowledgeable banking partner. To learn more, call 888-529-5450 or visit www.mycsbin.com. Discover the difference a local bank can make.
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The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Citizens State Bank and its affiliates, and Citizens State Bank is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any information contained in this article or items hyperlinked within. This is for informational purposes and is no way intended to provide legal advice.