EZShield Check Fraud Protection: What It Is and Is Not

What EZShield Check Fraud Protection Is

EZShield is a company that partners with check printers and financial institutions to offer a fund advancement service for victims of personal and business check fraud. The service is called the EZShield Check Fraud Protection Program and it operates as a separate layer on top of whatever security features exist on the check paper itself.

When a customer orders checks from a printer that partners with EZShield, they can add the EZShield program to their order for a per-box fee. If those checks are later used fraudulently in a way that results in an unauthorized debit from the customer's checking account, EZShield advances up to $25,000 within 72 hours while the bank investigates the fraud event. The 72-hour fund advance is the core selling point.

EZShield is owned by Sontiq, Inc., which operates multiple fraud and identity protection services. According to Deluxe Corporation, which partners with EZShield for its business check product line, the 2025 AFP Payment Fraud and Control Survey found that 63% of financial professionals reported their organizations faced check fraud in 2024. EZShield positions itself as a response to this environment.

The program has been available through check printer partnerships since the early 2000s. It is offered through Bradford Exchange Checks, Deluxe business checks, and through equivalent programs under the SentryShield name at Checks Unlimited, Designer Checks, and Artistic Checks. The underlying service structure is similar across all of these partnerships.

The Critical Distinction: Prevention vs Recovery

This is the most important thing to understand about EZShield, and it is the distinction that almost no product page or review article makes clearly. EZShield is a recovery service. It is not a prevention feature.

Prevention happens at the check paper level. The chemically reactive paper, microprinting, heat-sensitive ink, void pantograph, genuine watermarks, and UV fluorescent fibers embedded in ABA-compliant check security paper are all prevention features. They make it harder to wash, counterfeit, cook, or alter a check successfully. They are properties of the paper your checks are printed on, and they exist regardless of whether any add-on program was purchased at checkout.

Recovery happens after fraud has already occurred. If a check has been washed and the altered version successfully deposited, the fraud has happened. EZShield then steps in to advance funds to the victim while the bank investigates and works toward resolution. The check fraud has already taken place. EZShield does not stop it; it helps the victim recover from it.

This distinction matters because many check ordering sites, including those owned by Deluxe Corporation, describe EZShield or SentryShield in language that blurs the line between prevention and recovery. Phrases like "protect your checks" and "safeguard your account" are used in ways that can suggest the program provides something the check paper does not. In reality, the security paper and the EZShield program address completely different phases of the fraud timeline.

A check printed on ABA-compliant security paper and not covered by EZShield is still significantly harder to defraud than a check on plain paper. A check covered by EZShield but printed on low-security paper is still vulnerable to fraud and relies on EZShield's 72-hour advance to address the aftermath.

What EZShield Covers

EZShield's coverage at the standard Check Fraud Protection tier applies to three specific types of check fraud:

Forged Signatures

A forged signature fraud occurs when a blank check or a stolen check is signed with a forgery of the account holder's signature, and the resulting debit hits the checking account. EZShield advances funds when the account holder's legitimate blank checks are forged in this manner. The account holder must not have authorized the signer in any way for the forgery coverage to apply.

Forged Endorsements

A forged endorsement fraud occurs when a check payable to the account holder or to a named payee is endorsed by someone other than the designated payee using a forged endorsement. The check is then cashed or deposited by that unauthorized party. EZShield covers losses from forged endorsement fraud with one important exclusion: if the check bears a legitimate original endorsement that is secondarily and fraudulently endorsed again by another party, the standard EZShield coverage does not apply.

Altered Checks

An altered check fraud occurs when a legitimate check has its information changed after signing: the payee name, the dollar amount, or other fields are altered to benefit the fraudster. This is the classic check washing scenario. The account holder writes a check for $50, the check is stolen from the mail, washed to remove the amount and payee, and rewritten for $5,000 payable to the fraudster. EZShield advances funds to the victim when this type of alteration results in an unauthorized debit.

Counterfeit Checks (Premium Tier Only)

Counterfeit check coverage, where a fictitious check is created using stolen or fake account information to look like a legitimate check, is only available through EZShield's Premium tier. The standard Check Fraud Protection tier does not cover counterfeit checks. Buyers who want counterfeit coverage need to confirm they are purchasing the Premium product rather than the standard tier.

EZShield Exclusions: What EZShield Does Not Cover

EZShield limitations and exclusions are material and are not prominently disclosed on the product pages where the service is sold. Understanding the exclusions is as important as understanding the coverage.

Only Covers Checks From the Specific Order

EZShield applies only to checks from the specific order for which it was purchased at checkout. It does not cover deposit tickets ordered at the same time. It does not cover checks from a previous order. It does not cover blank check stock ordered separately. If you have checks from two different orders and only purchased EZShield with one, the program only covers the checks in that specific order.

Requires a Police Report

To file a claim and receive fund advancement from EZShield, you must have filed a police report documenting the check fraud. The police report is a required element of the claim package. Fraud that is not reported to law enforcement is not eligible for EZShield fund advancement, regardless of how clear the evidence is.

Maximum $25,000 for All Checks Combined

The maximum EZShield advancement is $25,000 total for all covered checks, regardless of how many fraudulent checks are presented or how many separate claims are filed. This is an aggregate limit, not a per-check limit. A single fraudulent check for $30,000 would be capped at $25,000. Multiple fraudulent checks totaling $60,000 would also be capped at $25,000 combined.

US Fraud Only

The fraud must be committed within the United States. Check fraud originating outside the US or involving international parties does not qualify for EZShield fund advancement.

Applies for Lifetime of Checks, Up to Two Years

The EZShield protection period is the lifetime of the checks purchased, with a maximum of two years from the date of purchase. Checks used beyond the two-year window are not covered by the program.

EZShield Is Not Insurance

EZShield terms explicitly state it is not insurance. It advances funds from its own resources while the bank investigates, then pursues reimbursement from the responsible financial institution through whatever legal mechanisms apply. If EZShield advances funds and the bank subsequently determines the account holder bore responsibility for the fraud through negligence, the account holder may be required to repay the advanced funds to EZShield. The advance is not a guaranteed grant of funds; it is an advance against the expected outcome of the bank investigation.

How to File an EZShield Claim

Filing an EZShield claim requires contacting EZShield directly at the phone number on the program materials with your check order. The claim process involves submitting a documentation package.

Required documentation for a standard EZShield claim includes a completed claim form provided by EZShield, a police report documenting the fraudulent check activity, a bank affidavit or bank statement reflecting the unauthorized debit to your account, and supporting documentation of the specific fraud type (forged signature, forged endorsement, or alteration).

Once EZShield receives a complete claim package, it reviews the request and, if approved, advances funds in the form of a check within three business days from receipt of the complete package. EZShield then pursues recovery from the financial institution involved, using the rights you assign to EZShield as part of the claim process.

The requirement to gather and submit this package is a meaningful step that takes time and coordination. The bank must provide a statement reflecting the fraud. The police department must provide a report. EZShield must review the package. The 72-hour advance clock starts from receipt of the complete package, not from when the fraud is reported.

How EZShield Is Priced Per Box

EZShield per box cost varies by check printer partnership and by the tier of coverage selected. At Bradford Exchange Checks, the base EZShield Check Fraud Protection tier is priced at $2.50 per pack of checks. This covers the lifetime of those checks up to two years for the three standard fraud types (forged signatures, forged endorsements, altered checks).

EZShield Pro, which adds identity theft protection and restoration services including access to a dedicated fraud resolution specialist, an online identity vault, and education about active breaches, is priced as an ongoing subscription. At Bradford Exchange Checks, the EZShield Plus tier is documented at $12 per year with the coverage automatically extended each time new checks are purchased.

At Checks Unlimited, Designer Checks, and Artistic Checks, the equivalent service is called SentryShield Pro. Its checkout pre-selection price is approximately $15.94 for the combined check fraud protection and identity restoration tier.

The cost per box at Deluxe's business check division varies by order quantity and is disclosed in the cart rather than on the product page. Buyers should review their cart total before completing checkout to confirm what EZShield or SentryShield tier was applied and at what price.

Why EZShield Appears Pre-Selected at Checkout

Buyers who have ordered personal or business checks online from Checks Unlimited, Designer Checks, Artistic Checks, Bradford Exchange Checks, or other major check printers have encountered EZShield (or SentryShield or FraudArmor) appearing as a pre-selected checkout item in their cart. Understanding why this happens and how to manage it is practical buying knowledge.

These programs are check printer add-on revenue streams for the check printers that carry them. The printer's partnership with EZShield or the equivalent service includes an incentive for the printer based on the volume of the program sold through their checkout flow. Pre-selecting the service at checkout maximizes the number of buyers who end up purchasing it, since many buyers do not review individual cart line items before completing an order.

If you do not want EZShield, SentryShield, or FraudArmor on your check order, you must opt-out of EZShield by actively removing it. That opt-out EZShield step requires unchecking the item before checkout. Most check printer checkout flows include a step where the add-on is shown with an uncheck option. Some, like Checks Unlimited, display a pop-up asking you to confirm removal after you uncheck it. You can safely remove the program and proceed with just the checks.

The decision to keep or remove EZShield is a personal risk assessment. If your checks are ordered on ABA-compliant security paper with all six fraud deterrent features built in, and you write checks with indelible gel ink pens, and you mail checks directly at a post office counter, the risk of the fraud types EZShield covers is meaningfully lower than it would be without those precautions. The program may still provide value as a recovery backstop, but the prevention layer from the security paper should be the primary defense.

SentryShield and FraudArmor: The Same Concept by Other Names

EZShield is one of three major brand names for essentially the same type of post-fraud fund advancement and identity protection program sold through check printer partnerships.

SentryShield

SentryShield (also sold as SentryShield Pro and SentryShield Sm) is the version used by Checks Unlimited, Designer Checks, Artistic Checks, and several other Deluxe Corporation consumer check brands. SentryShield is also a Sontiq brand, the same parent company as EZShield. The coverage structure is functionally identical: up to $25,000 fund advancement within 72 hours for forged signatures, forged endorsements, and altered checks, with identity restoration at the Pro tier.

SentryShield appears at checkout on Checks Unlimited orders pre-selected at approximately $15.94. As detailed in our Checks Unlimited guide and our Artistic Checks guide, removing SentryShield before completing checkout is a simple action but requires actively unchecking the item despite the pop-up prompt that follows.

FraudArmor

FraudArmor is the equivalent program offered through Checks in the Mail and through VistaPrint's check ordering channel. It operates on the same post-fraud advancement model: up to $25,000 in covered losses for forged signatures, forged endorsements, and altered checks, with identity theft restoration services at the premium tier. FraudArmor appears pre-selected at checkout in the same way as EZShield and SentryShield.

How They Compare

All three programs (EZShield, SentryShield, FraudArmor) are post-fraud recovery services sold as check printer checkout add-ons. They do not add physical security features to the checks. They do not change the paper stock. They do not affect the MICR line, the chemically reactive paper properties, or any of the six ABA security paper features. Their value is in the speed of fund advancement after fraud has occurred and in the identity restoration services included at the Pro or Plus tier.

What ABA Check Paper Security Actually Prevents

ABA-compliant check security paper prevents fraud through six features that are manufactured into the paper before printing. These features operate independently of any add-on program purchased at checkout. Understanding each one's role clarifies what prevention actually looks like versus what recovery looks like.

Chemically Reactive Paper

Chemically reactive paper is one of the six check security features. It stops check washing. When a thief applies bleach, acetone, or similar solvents to remove the ink from a check's payee and amount fields, the reactive chemicals in the paper produce an immediate, permanent color change. The stain cannot be concealed or reversed. A bank processing the check can see the evidence of the washing attempt. This check washing protection feature directly prevents the most common form of altered check fraud from succeeding undetected.

Microprinting

Microprinting along the signature line appears as a solid line to the naked eye but resolves as repeating text under magnification. No consumer-grade copier or scanner can reproduce it accurately. Any copy or digitally produced counterfeit check will either show a blurry line or an obvious non-text line at the microprint location. This stops the counterfeiting and check cooking methods that EZShield would otherwise need to recover from.

Heat-Sensitive Ink

A thermochromic element on the check face disappears when warmed and returns when cooled. A bank teller can verify a check's authenticity in seconds by rubbing the element. A counterfeit printed on plain stock will not have a functioning thermochromic zone. This prevents counterfeit check deposits at the point of verification.

Void Pantograph

The background of an ABA-compliant check contains a void pantograph pattern that produces visible VOID text when the check is photocopied, scanned, or imaged for check cooking. Any digital copy made from a genuine check will display the VOID pattern. This is the primary defense against check cooking fraud, where a stolen check is scanned and reprinted in multiple copies.

Genuine Watermark

A watermark embedded in the paper fiber during manufacturing is visible when the check is held to light. No printer or copier can replicate a genuine foundry watermark because it is a structural property of the paper, not a surface print. A counterfeit check on plain paper will not have a genuine watermark, providing immediate visual verification.

UV Fluorescent Fibers

Fluorescent fibers distributed through ABA-compliant paper glow under ultraviolet light. Plain paper does not contain these fibers and will not glow. Bank UV verification devices identify counterfeit and cooked checks immediately using this test. The fibers cannot be replicated without genuine security paper manufacturing equipment.

For a detailed explanation of each feature and how check fraud attempts interact with them, see our complete check stock paper guide and our check validity and fraud prevention guide.

EZShield vs ABA Security Paper: What Each Does

Placing these two layers side by side makes the relationship between them clear:

ABA security paper works before, during, and at the point of attempted fraud. It makes check washing visible. It makes counterfeiting detectable. It stops most cooking attempts from producing convincing fakes. It allows bank tellers and automated processing systems to flag suspicious checks before they clear. It is active prevention embedded in the check itself, present from the moment the check is ordered.

EZShield works after fraud has succeeded in clearing through the banking system. A fraudster has washed or forged a check, it has processed, the funds have left the account. EZShield advances money to the victim within 72 hours of a complete claim package being submitted, while the bank investigates and works toward resolving the fraud. EZShield does not stop the fraud from happening. It addresses the financial impact after it has happened.

The two layers are not competing alternatives; they address different parts of the fraud timeline. A buyer can have both: ABA security paper as the prevention layer, and EZShield as the recovery layer. A buyer with only ABA security paper has better check fraud prevention than a buyer with only EZShield. A buyer with only EZShield has financial recovery capability but reduced prevention strength from the paper. The strongest position combines both.

The practical question for most check buyers is whether the recovery layer adds enough value to justify the cost, given that ABA security paper already dramatically reduces the probability of successful check fraud in the first place.

Do You Need EZShield if Your Checks Are ABA-Compliant?

This is the real question most check buyers are trying to answer, and it is the one most product pages avoid answering honestly.

If your personal checks are printed on ABA-compliant security paper with all six standard fraud deterrent features, and you write checks using gel ink pens (not ballpoint or felt-tip), and you mail checks directly at a post office counter rather than a street collection box, your risk profile for the three main types of fraud EZShield covers (forged signatures, forged endorsements, altered checks) is substantially lower than it would be with plain-paper checks or careless mailing practices.

That reduced risk does not mean zero risk. ABA security paper makes check fraud significantly harder and more detectable, but a determined and skilled fraudster with access to certain chemicals can still attempt to wash a check. Forged signatures can still be presented at institutions without thorough teller verification. EZShield's 72-hour advance is a meaningful benefit if fraud does occur, because the bank investigation process can take days to weeks and the account holder is left without those funds during that period.

The credit.com analysis of EZShield published in a widely-read consumer finance review noted that banks are typically liable under the UCC for fraud on forged or altered checks anyway, though the UCC gives banks "reasonable time" to investigate and resolve the issue. EZShield's value proposition is specifically the speed of the advance, not a unique liability coverage that does not otherwise exist. The question is whether you want to pay the per-box premium for faster access to funds that you would likely recover from the bank eventually in most legitimate fraud cases.

For high-check-volume businesses where a single fraudulent event could disrupt cash flow significantly, the cost of EZShield is modest relative to the value of 72-hour fund access during a bank investigation. For personal check users who write a few checks per month on ABA-compliant paper with appropriate mailing practices, the incremental risk coverage above what the security paper already provides is limited.

UCC and What Your Bank Already Owes You After Check Fraud

Understanding your existing rights under UCC check liability provisions (the Uniform Commercial Code) is essential context for evaluating EZShield's value. This is the information most check printer product pages do not include.

Under UCC Article 4, your bank bears liability for paying a check over a forged drawer's signature or a forged endorsement in most circumstances. Banks are generally required to make account holders whole for unauthorized payments resulting from forged signatures and forged endorsements, provided the account holder was not negligent in a way that contributed to the fraud.

The bank has a "reasonable time" window to investigate and resolve the claim before reimbursing you. "Reasonable time" is not defined as a specific number of days in the UCC; it depends on the complexity of the fraud. This is the gap EZShield fills: the period between reporting the fraud and the bank's resolution. EZShield advances funds in 72 hours (from receipt of the complete claim package) so you are not without the money during the bank's investigation window.

The implication is that EZShield's core value is not providing coverage that would not otherwise exist. In most forged signature and forged endorsement cases on ABA-compliant checks, the account holder would eventually be made whole by the bank under UCC provisions. EZShield provides earlier access to those funds and helps manage the process with the bank on the customer's behalf.

This is worth knowing before deciding whether to add EZShield at checkout. It is not a replacement for bank liability. It is an acceleration of the recovery timeline.

How Checkomatic Approaches Check Security

Checkomatic does not offer EZShield, SentryShield, FraudArmor, or equivalent paid add-on recovery programs at checkout. The approach is different by design.

Every Checkomatic personal and business check order ships on ABA-compliant security paper with all six standard fraud deterrent features included in the base product price. There is no security tier to upgrade. There is no security add-on to select. The chemically reactive paper, genuine watermarks, microprinting, heat-sensitive ink, void pantographs, and UV fluorescent fibers are part of every check that leaves the Monroe, NY facility, whether it is a single box of blue personal checkbooks or a case of QuickBooks computer business checks.

The CPSA padlock icon on Checkomatic's ordering pages confirms membership in the Check Payment Systems Association and compliance with ABA security paper standards. Checkomatic's checks meet the same security paper standard as those from any major bank's fulfillment vendor.

The decision not to offer EZShield at checkout reflects a choice to focus on prevention rather than recovery upsells. Checkomatic's position is that the right foundation for check security is the paper itself, and that ABA-compliant security paper represents that foundation on every order without requiring the buyer to evaluate and opt into additional services at checkout.

Why Choose Checkomatic

Checkomatic has manufactured personal and business checks in Monroe, NY since 1997. The direct manufacturer model means your checks go from production to your mailbox with no bank markup, no reseller margin, and no pre-selected add-ons to manage at checkout.

Full ABA Security Paper on Every Order

Every Checkomatic check, personal or business, ships on ABA-compliant security stock with all six fraud deterrent features. This is not a premium tier or an add-on. It is the standard for every product in the catalog. Personal checks, business checks, manual business checks, QuickBooks checks, and blank check stock all ship on the same security paper foundation.

No Pre-Selected Add-Ons

Checkomatic's checkout does not pre-select any recovery program, fraud protection subscription, or identity service. The price you see is the product price. There is no opt-out step required to avoid an unexpected charge. There are no follow-up renewal subscriptions applied without notice.

Free Logo Printing on Every Order

Every Checkomatic order includes free black and white logo printing on personal and business checks with no setup fee. Color logo printing is available for a small additional charge. For businesses that want their logo on ABA-compliant security checks (and use check positive pay for additional protection) without paying add-on fees on top of an already marked-up base price, Checkomatic's direct pricing model provides that combination at the lowest cost per check.

Complete Check and Accessory Range

A complete check operation needs more than checks. Checkomatic stocks the full supporting range: business deposit slips pre-printed with your account details, double-window check envelopes for outgoing payments, 7-ring check binders for manual check storage, and self-inking endorsement stamps for fast, consistent check deposit endorsements. All from the same Monroe, NY manufacturer at direct pricing.

Start your order at checkomatic.com. For a detailed look at each ABA security feature on Checkomatic's check paper, see our check stock paper guide. For the broader check fraud picture including check washing, check cooking, and what to do if you receive a fraudulent check, see our check validity and fraud prevention guide.

The Short Version on EZShield Check Fraud Protection

EZShield is a check fraud recovery service (post-fraud recovery) that advances up to $25,000 (25000 dollars) within 72 hours of a complete claim package in the event of check fraud involving forged signatures, forged endorsements, or altered checks from the specific box of checks for which EZShield was purchased. It requires a police report to file a claim. It has a $25,000 aggregate cap regardless of the number of fraudulent checks. Standard tier does not cover counterfeit checks. It is not insurance. It appears pre-selected at checkout on many check ordering sites and must be actively removed to avoid the charge.

SentryShield and FraudArmor are the same type of service sold under different names through different check printer partnerships. All three are check fraud recovery service options (post-fraud recovery), not check paper security prevention.

ABA-compliant check security paper prevents the most common fraud types that EZShield recovers from. Your bank also bears UCC liability for most forged signature and endorsement fraud, making EZShield primarily a timeline acceleration service rather than a unique coverage layer. The most effective approach to check security is ABA-compliant paper (prevention) plus behavioral best practices (gel ink pens, direct post office mailing) plus, optionally, a fund advancement service (recovery) for buyers who want faster access to funds if fraud does occur.

Checkomatic does not offer EZShield or equivalent programs. Every Checkomatic check ships on ABA-compliant security paper with all six standard fraud deterrent features included in the base price.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EZShield check fraud protection?

EZShield Check Fraud Protection is a post-fraud fund advancement service offered through check printer and financial institution partnerships. It is not a check paper security feature. If you experience check fraud involving forged signatures, forged endorsements, or altered checks (from the specific box of checks for which EZShield was purchased), EZShield advances up to $25,000 in funds within 72 hours of receiving a complete claim package while your bank investigates the fraud. It requires a police report to file a claim. EZShield is not insurance. It advances funds against the expected outcome of the bank investigation and pursues reimbursement from the responsible financial institution afterward.

How much does EZShield cost per box of checks?

EZShield costs vary by check printer partner and coverage tier. At Bradford Exchange Checks, the base Check Fraud Protection tier costs $2.50 per pack, covering the lifetime of those checks up to two years. EZShield Plus or Pro tiers that include identity restoration services cost approximately $12 per year with renewal each time new checks are ordered. At Checks Unlimited, Designer Checks, and Artistic Checks, the equivalent SentryShield Pro service is pre-selected at checkout at approximately $15.94. The cost is applied at the time of the check order and is not refundable if the service is not used.

What does EZShield not cover?

EZShield's main exclusions include: only the checks from the specific order for which EZShield was purchased (not other orders or deposit tickets); a maximum $25,000 aggregate advance for all covered fraud regardless of the number of checks or claims; fraud must occur within the United States; a police report is required (police report required) to file a claim; standard tier does not cover counterfeit checks (Premium tier only); secondarily forged endorsements on checks that had a legitimate original endorsement are excluded. EZShield is not insurance and may require repayment if the bank investigation determines account holder negligence contributed to the fraud.

What is the difference between EZShield, SentryShield, and FraudArmor?

EZShield, SentryShield, and FraudArmor are three brand names for functionally similar post-fraud check fraud protection programs sold through different check printer partnerships. EZShield is the original product, used at Bradford Exchange Checks and Deluxe business checks. SentryShield (including SentryShield Pro) is used at Checks Unlimited, Designer Checks, Artistic Checks, and other Deluxe consumer check brands. FraudArmor is used at Checks in the Mail and VistaPrint checks. All three advance up to $25,000 within 72 hours for covered fraud types, and all three include identity restoration services at their premium tiers. All three are Sontiq-affiliated programs operating under different commercial partnership arrangements.

Do Checkomatic checks come with EZShield?

Checkomatic does not offer EZShield, SentryShield, FraudArmor, or any equivalent paid add-on recovery program. Personal checks security and business check security both rely on ABA-compliant paper at Checkomatic. Every Checkomatic order ships on ABA-compliant (ABA compliant) security paper that includes all six standard fraud deterrent features as part of the base product price: chemically reactive paper, genuine watermarks, microprinting, heat-sensitive ink, void pantographs, and UV fluorescent fibers. These prevention features are built into the check paper on every order. There are no pre-selected add-on services to opt out of at Checkomatic checkout, and the price shown is the complete product price.