Cheques
To ensure that the cheques you issue are not stolen or misused:
- keep cheque books a secure place
- do not pre sign cheques
- for cheques over a certain limit, always have a counter signatory on the cheque.
To ensure that the business does not accept fraudulent cheques, enforce a payment policy and set limits. Also:
- witness the client re-signing cheques and that signatures match on pre-endorsed cheques
- obtain cheque clearance before dispatching goods
- contact the bank for clearance of large cheques, particularly for new customers.
For more information:
Credit Cards
To guard against credit card fraud, obtain security advice from banks and routinely check:
- the quality of the hologram
- there is clean and even printing and embossing
- the consistency of commencement and expiry dates
- that the signature has not been altered or smudged
- that the signature on the sales strip matches the signature on the card.
Credit cards are made with identifying features designed to reduce the possibility of fraudulent cards being used. You should familiarise yourself with these features to reduce the risk of fraud. These features are explained in the Identifying fraudulent credit cards brochure.
To help reduce fraud against you and your customers, you can do the following:
- Switch off your EFTPOS machine at night
- Check card signatures
- Check that the card numbers on the front and back of the card match
- Make sure holograms are clearly visible
- Check for valid expiration date
- Ask for further identification if unsure
- Check for ghosting or shading used to cover-up changed numbers.
For more information visit the website of the Australian Federal Police's Crime & Safety for Businesses - Fraud section.