What other piece of paper has your name, address, signature, bank account information and even your drivers license number? Once a criminal gets their hands on one of your checks, they have all the detail they need to add your name to the list of 9 or so million identity theft victims per year. This can happen in the form of check forgery, or the personal details from your check can be lifted and used in various fraudulent ways.
In our constant research in this area we are seeing an increasing number experts guiding their clients away from check writing and toward the various automated bill paying services. This tends to vary from state to state because each state regulates its own check writing, liability, and fraud rules for forged check and other check abuse.
So if you are still writing checks and licking stamps, it is time to seriously consider a change. If you cant give up checks that make sure you don’t send them in the mail and go to your bank to pick up new ones.
You should also look in to the new identity protection companies that are available. Both LifeLock and LoudSiren are good choices.