Safe and Security Checks: Features, Fraud Stats, Guide

What Security Checks Are

Security check definition: a security check is a personal or business check printed on ABA-compliant security paper with one or more fraud deterrent features incorporated into the paper itself, the printing process, or both. The ABA (American Bankers Association) standard for check paper, in coordination with ANSI X9 standards, establishes the minimum requirements for checks to be processed through the US banking system.

When most people say "security checks" or "safe checks," they mean checks that go beyond the minimum ABA processing requirements by incorporating additional features specifically designed to make check fraud harder to carry out successfully. These enhanced security features address the specific fraud methods criminals use: chemical washing, photocopying, scanning and digital reprinting, and forgery.

The term "high security checks" is sometimes used to distinguish checks with more features from checks with fewer features. In practice, the meaningful distinction is between checks on plain or minimally-featured paper (which many banks issue and which office supply stores stock) and checks on full ABA-compliant security paper with the complete set of fraud deterrent features. Checkomatic's checks fall into the latter category across every format, personal and business, at the base price.

Security checks are not specialty products you need to request separately. They are simply the standard that responsible check manufacturers use for all their check paper. The question for buyers is whether the manufacturer they choose uses full ABA-compliant security paper or a lower-grade stock.

Check Fraud Statistics: How Bad Is the Problem

The data on check fraud is striking in two directions: the problem is larger than most people assume, and it has proven persistently resistant to declining despite the growth of electronic payment alternatives.

Check fraud statistics 2025: the 2025 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey found that 63 percent of organizations experienced attempted or actual check fraud in 2024, making checks the payment method most frequently subjected to fraud among all payment types. This figure represents a slight decline from 65 percent in 2023 and 77 percent in 2014, but the level has remained between 63 and 66 percent consistently since 2020, according to OrboGraph's analysis of the AFP data. The 2026 AFP survey (covering 2025 activity) reported 58 percent of organizations experienced check fraud, still the highest rate among all payment methods.

Despite this persistent fraud rate, the same 2025 AFP survey found that 91 percent of organizations still use checks and more than 75 percent have no immediate plans to stop. The Federal Reserve Financial Services summary of the same survey noted that checks remain "a favored payment method" even among organizations fully aware of the risk. The AFP's conclusion: "This view is clearly false after reviewing the data collected in the annual report since 2015" that checks are safer than digital payments.

The practical implication is that checks are not going away, and the businesses and individuals that continue using them need the strongest available paper-level protection on every check they issue. An organization writing 200 checks per month with 63 percent industry check fraud exposure has a meaningful statistical reason to ensure every one of those checks is on full ABA-compliant security stock.

The Main Types of Check Fraud Security Checks Address

Security check paper features are specifically designed to address distinct fraud methods. Understanding check fraud types and which feature addresses each attack type explains why each feature matters and why the complete six-feature set is stronger than any subset.

Check Washing (Alteration Fraud)

Check washing uses chemical solvents to dissolve the ink on a legitimate check without damaging the paper, allowing the fraudster to rewrite the payee name and dollar amount. Check washing prevention is the goal: the stolen check typically retains the original signature, making it appear authentic after alteration. Washing solvents include common products available at retail stores. The chemically reactive check paper feature directly addresses this attack type.

Photocopying and Scanning

Fraudsters use high-quality copiers or scanners to reproduce legitimate checks, then present the reproductions as payments. Modern photocopiers produce copies of sufficient quality to pass initial visual inspection. Microprinting and void pantograph features directly address this attack: the microprint line blurs in any copy, and the pantograph reveals VOID text when scanned or copied.

Digital Counterfeiting

The fastest-growing check fraud method, as documented by OrboGraph and JPMorgan Chase's fraud research teams, involves scanning a stolen check, extracting the routing number, account number, and signature digitally, then using desktop publishing software to print new checks for any amount in unlimited quantity. The fraudster never alters the original check. They create entirely new checks from the extracted data. The genuine foundry watermark, void pantograph, and UV fluorescent fiber features address this attack: none of these can be reproduced by a standard printer on plain paper.

Check Alteration (Non-Washing)

Check alteration prevention: some check alteration fraud is done mechanically or with correction fluid rather than chemical washing. The chemically reactive paper and void pantograph both detect physical alteration attempts. The thermochromic ink zone provides an authentication point a bank teller can verify instantly, distinguishing an unaltered original from an altered document.

Forged Endorsement

A forged endorsement fraud occurs when a check payable to one party is endorsed by an unauthorized person and deposited. Security paper features on the face of the check do not directly prevent this; endorsement-side fraud is addressed by restrictive endorsement stamps ("For Deposit Only"), positive pay with payee name verification, and prompt account monitoring.

The 6 ABA Security Features and What Each One Prevents

Checkomatic includes all six standard ABA compliant check security features on every check, personal and business, at the base price. Here is what each feature does and which fraud type it directly addresses.

Feature 1: Chemically Reactive Paper

Chemically reactive paper contains agents distributed through the paper stock that react permanently when contacted by the chemical solvents used in check washing. When bleach, acetone, acetone-based products, or alcohol-based solvents are applied, the paper produces a permanent stain or discoloration pattern that cannot be removed, masked, or reversed. This stain is visible to a bank teller conducting a visual inspection and is detectable in automated check image processing systems that flag discoloration anomalies.

Chemically reactive paper does not prevent a determined criminal from attempting a wash, but it makes the attempt immediately and permanently visible. Any washed check presented for payment or deposit reveals its own tampering through the stain pattern. This feature directly addresses the check washing fraud type.

Feature 2: Genuine Foundry Watermark

A check watermark genuine foundry watermark is embedded into the paper fiber during manufacturing, not applied to the surface. It is visible when the check is held to a light source and appears as a lighter or darker pattern (typically words or a logo design) in the paper itself. Because the watermark is a structural property of the paper fiber, it cannot be reproduced by printing, photocopying, or scanning.

A counterfeit check printed on plain paper, regardless of how high-quality the printer or how detailed the design, will not have a genuine watermark. A bank teller who holds the check to light and sees no watermark in a check that claims to be from a manufacturer using watermarked stock has immediate, reliable evidence of counterfeiting. The genuine foundry watermark directly addresses digital counterfeiting and photocopying.

Feature 3: Microprinting

Check microprinting is text printed at a scale too small to read with the naked eye, typically along the signature line or other borders of the check. At normal viewing distance and to the unaided eye, it appears as a solid or dotted line. Under magnification (a loupe or magnifying glass), the text becomes readable. This text is usually a repeating phrase such as "ORIGINAL DOCUMENT" or the name of the check manufacturer.

Photocopiers, scanners, and standard printers cannot accurately reproduce text at the scale of microprinting. Any reproduction shows the microprint line as a blurred, indistinct smear rather than readable text. A bank teller checking authenticity can use a loupe to verify the microprint is legible on a presented check. Microprinting directly addresses photocopying and scanning-based counterfeiting.

Feature 4: Thermochromic (Heat-Sensitive) Ink

An area of the check face, typically a colored shape or text block, is printed with thermochromic ink check that disappears when warmth is applied and returns when cooled. A bank teller authenticating a check rubs the thermochromic zone with their thumb; on a genuine check printed with this ink, the zone disappears under the friction heat and reappears when the check cools. On a counterfeit check printed on standard paper with standard ink, no thermochromic reaction occurs.

This is an active authentication feature that a teller can verify in seconds without any equipment. It directly addresses counterfeiting and provides an authentication step that does not require UV lights or specialized equipment.

Feature 5: Void Pantograph

A void pantograph check feature is a background pattern printed on the check that is invisible or nearly invisible to the eye under normal viewing but produces visible VOID text across the check when photocopied, scanned, or digitally imaged. The pattern exploits the difference in how the human eye and image sensors respond to specific dot patterns, densities, and colors.

The void pantograph addresses two fraud scenarios directly. When a criminal photocopies a check to create a reproduction, the VOID pattern appears on the copy, making it immediately identifiable as a reproduction. When a criminal scans a check to extract data for digital counterfeiting, the scanned image shows VOID across the background, and any check printed from this image carries the VOID pattern. This is one of the most important features for the digital counterfeiting threat that now dominates check fraud.

Feature 6: UV Fluorescent Fibers

UV fluorescent fibers are randomly distributed throughout the paper stock during manufacturing. Under ultraviolet light (a UV lamp or UV pen), these fibers glow in a distinctive pattern. Because they are distributed randomly in the paper fiber during manufacturing, no two checks have identical fiber patterns. Standard printer paper has no UV-reactive fibers.

A bank or retailer with a UV light source can authenticate any check in seconds by confirming that the UV-reactive fibers are present. A counterfeit printed on plain paper fails this test immediately. UV fluorescent fibers directly address counterfeiting and provide a covert authentication layer that is not visible to the fraudster during check creation.

What the CPSA Padlock Icon Means

The CPSA padlock icon (formally the Enhanced Check Security Features Padlock Icon) is a registered certification mark of the Check Payment Systems Association (CPSA). When this padlock appears on a check, it means the check printing company has submitted an application to CPSA and certified that their checks incorporate a minimum of three security features that collectively defend against both alteration and counterfeiting.

The CPSA minimum of three features to earn the padlock means that not every CPSA-certified check has all six features. Checkomatic's CPSA certification covers the full six-feature ABA security paper used on all orders. The padlock on a Checkomatic check represents the maximum standard, not just the minimum required for certification.

The CPSA FAQ is explicit on a point that many check buyers do not know: "No, you do not have to order checks through your bank or financial institution. Any reputable check printing company can help you with a check order." This directly addresses the misconception that bank-issued checks are inherently more secure or more legitimate than checks ordered from direct manufacturer checks by certified manufacturers like Checkomatic.

CPSA also clarifies that the padlock icon does not verify the validity of any specific check or the availability of funds behind it. It verifies that the paper and printing process meet the enhanced security feature standard. A fraudster could theoretically use stolen blank check stock from a CPSA-certified printer; the padlock does not prevent that scenario. The paper features deter alteration and counterfeiting of checks once they are issued.

Bank-Issued Checks vs Direct-Manufacturer Security Checks

The bank check vs security check comparison: the assumption that bank-issued checks are more secure than checks ordered from a direct manufacturer is a common and costly misconception. Here is the honest comparison.

Paper Grade and Feature Count

Banks typically offer one or two tiers of check stock, and the base tier is often standard security paper with fewer than the full six ABA features. Banks source their check stock from the same pool of check manufacturers and printers that direct-to-consumer manufacturers use. A bank that offers "security checks" as an upgrade tier is offering the same or equivalent paper to what a certified direct manufacturer ships on every order.

Checkomatic ships every order, including the base personal checkbook order, on full ABA-compliant six-feature security paper. There is no base-tier option with fewer features because Checkomatic does not offer a lower-grade stock. This means a Checkomatic buyer gets the complete security feature set without asking for or paying for an upgrade.

MICR Encoding Quality

The MICR line (the magnetic ink numbers at the bottom of every check) must be printed to ABA tolerances for reliable automated processing. Banks and certified direct manufacturers both use MICR-certified equipment and inks. The MICR quality from a CPSA-certified manufacturer like Checkomatic is equivalent to bank-issued checks and processes through the Federal Reserve system identically.

Price Per Check

Banks charge significantly more per check than direct manufacturers. A box of 200 personal checks ordered through a bank commonly costs $25 to $50. The same quantity from Checkomatic at a comparable or superior security level costs considerably less because there is no bank retail markup. The CPSA FAQ specifically notes that ordering from a reputable direct manufacturer is a legitimate, equivalent alternative to ordering through your bank.

Office Supply and Retail Checks

Office supply store check stock (including the Office Depot "Standard Blue Business Check Refills" and similar retail products) is the most variable in security feature quality. As we noted in our business check refill guide, some retail check stock products explicitly list "microprinted: No" and "watermarked: No" in their specifications. Retail check stock may not meet the full ABA six-feature standard despite generic "security" marketing language.

Personal Security Checks

Safe personal checks (personal security checks) are standard personal checkbooks printed on full ABA-compliant security paper. Every Checkomatic personal check format ships on six-feature security paper:

• Standard personal checkbooks in blue, burgundy, and green. Single or duplicate. Available with or without a check register.
• Top stub personal checks in spiral-bound format with a stub retained above each detached check.
• Personal deskset checks for desk use, larger format.
• Secretary deskbook checks for organized desk check writing.
• QuickBooks wallet checks in personal format for software printing.

Every format above ships on the same six-feature ABA-compliant security paper. Individuals who write checks for rent, utilities, charitable donations, or contractor payments are among the groups most targeted by check washing (because mailed personal checks are prime theft targets). Six-feature security paper provides the paper-level protection those payers need on every transaction.

Business Security Checks

High security business checks face a higher fraud risk profile than personal checks for two reasons: the amounts are typically larger (making counterfeiting more profitable), and the routing number and account number are the same on every check issued by the business (making any stolen check a template for unlimited counterfeits).

All Checkomatic business check formats ship on six-feature ABA-compliant security paper:

• Check on top (voucher) for QuickBooks and most accounting software.
• Check in middle for Sage 50 and MYOB.
• Check on bottom for specific payroll and specialty software.
• 3-on-a-page checks for high-volume printing.
• QuickBooks-compatible checks tested for QuickBooks Desktop and Online.
• Manual business checks for accounts payable, payroll, and multi-purpose handwritten payments.

For a complete guide to business check payroll formats and which format serves which workflow, see our business checks and payroll guide.

Blank Check Stock Security

Blank check stock used with MICR printers also ships on ABA-compliant security paper from Checkomatic, with the same six features. The security argument for blank stock is somewhat different from pre-printed checks: with blank stock, the routing number and account number are printed at the time of issuance rather than pre-printed. This means a stolen blank sheet reveals less information than a stolen pre-printed check sheet. However, blank stock requires MICR-capable printing equipment and software to realize this security advantage.

Checkomatic's blank check stock is available in all major business check formats (check on top, middle, bottom, 3-per-page, and Z-fold pressure seal) on the same six-feature ABA security paper.

Do Security Checks Cost More

Security check cost at Checkomatic: security checks do not cost more than non-security checks because Checkomatic does not offer non-security checks. Every order, every format, and every quantity tier ships on full six-feature ABA-compliant security paper. There is no lower-grade stock option and no security surcharge.

This is meaningfully different from how some competitors price security. Some check manufacturers offer a base tier on minimal-feature paper and an "enhanced" or "high security" tier on better paper at a premium. That pricing model creates a situation where buyers who do not actively request the security upgrade receive inadequate protection.

The per-check cost at Checkomatic on ABA-compliant security paper is lower than the per-check cost of bank-issued checks regardless of security tier, because there is no bank retail markup. A buyer ordering directly from Checkomatic gets a better security paper at a lower price than ordering through their bank.

For a full cost comparison of check ordering sources, see our cheap checks online guide.

What Security Paper Cannot Protect Against

ABA-compliant security paper with all six features provides the strongest available check counterfeiting prevention and alteration protection for checks. It does not cover every check fraud scenario, and being clear about its limits helps businesses build a complete protection strategy.

Security paper does not prevent blank check theft. If someone steals your checkbook or gains access to your blank check stock, the security features on the paper do not stop them from writing checks against your account. They help your bank and the receiving party identify fraud after the fact, but they do not prevent the fraudulent check from being written.

Security paper does not prevent forged endorsements. A check made payable to you can be taken from your mailbox and deposited by an unauthorized person who forges your endorsement signature on the back. The face-side security features address the document itself, not the endorsement process.

Security paper does not prevent authorized-signer fraud. If an employee or trusted individual with legitimate access to your checks issues unauthorized checks, the security features cannot distinguish an authorized transaction from an unauthorized one.

Security paper does not replace account monitoring. Regular review of cleared check images through online banking catches fraud that slips through other defenses. For a complete walkthrough of what to do when you notice unauthorized check activity, see our check fraud scams guide and our lost checks and replacements guide.

The Complete Check Security Approach

The 2025 AFP survey and JPMorgan Chase's fraud playbook both describe a multi-layered approach as the effective defense against check fraud. Security checks are the foundation, but the complete approach includes several additional layers.

Layer 1: ABA-Compliant Security Paper (All 6 Features)

Start here. Six-feature security paper is the non-negotiable baseline. It addresses check washing, copying, scanning, and digital counterfeiting at the paper level, before any other defense needs to activate.

Layer 2: Positive Pay

Positive pay (offered by most business banks) requires the account holder to submit an electronic file of all checks issued before they are presented for payment. The bank matches each incoming check against the file and flags mismatches for review. Positive pay with payee name verification adds a check of the payee name against the issued-check record, addressing check alteration that changes the payee. JPMorgan Chase's playbook identifies positive pay as one of the most effective controls available.

Layer 3: Secure Mailing Practices

Dropping checks directly at a post office counter rather than a street collection box prevents the mail theft that enables check washing. Using security envelopes (with dark interior lining that prevents seeing the check through the envelope) prevents visual inspection of the envelope contents before theft.

Layer 4: Account Monitoring

Reviewing cleared check images through online banking regularly catches fraud that passed through other defenses. Compare the payee name and amount on the cleared check image against your check register or accounting software record. Mismatches are the most common way check washing and alteration fraud is caught.

Layer 5: Gel Ink Pen for Manual Writing

For checks written by hand, pigment-based gel ink (the Uni-ball 207 in particular) resists check washing better than standard ballpoint oil-based ink. This provides a secondary layer against chemical ink removal at the written field level, complementing the chemically reactive paper's protection at the background level. For the full analysis, see our check protector and writer tools guide.

Layer 6: Endorsement Stamps for Incoming Checks

Self-inking endorsement stamps apply a restrictive "For Deposit Only" legend to every incoming check at the time of receipt, limiting where it can be deposited even if it is subsequently stolen. Checkomatic's self-inking endorsement stamps are customized with your account information.

Why Order Security Checks From Checkomatic

Checkomatic has manufactured ABA-compliant personal and business checks in Monroe, NY since 1997. As an in-house check manufacturer, every order is produced at the Monroe NY facility with direct quality control over the security paper grade, MICR encoding, and print quality.

All 6 ABA Security Features on Every Order

Checkomatic includes all six standard ABA security features on every check, every format, every quantity tier, at the base price. No security tier, no upgrade required, no additional cost. CPSA padlock certification is printed on every Checkomatic check. This represents the maximum standard available, not the minimum required for certification.

ABA-Compliant MICR Encoding

The MICR line on every Checkomatic check is printed to ABA tolerances using certified MICR inks. ABA-compliant MICR encoding ensures clean automated processing through the Federal Reserve and all financial institutions. Checkomatic checks process identically to bank-issued checks through the US banking system.

Free Logo Printing on Every Order

Free logo printing security checks feature: free black and white logo printing on security checks is included on every personal and business check order. Color logo printing is available for a small per-order charge. No setup fee. Your logo and company details are reviewed in a digital proof before production begins.

Standard 3-to-5-Business-Day Turnaround

Orders ship from Monroe, NY within 3 to 5 business days from digital proof approval. Rush delivery options are available at checkout for time-sensitive needs.

Start your security check order at checkomatic.com. Personal checks start at personal checkbooks. Business formats start at business checks. QuickBooks-specific formats are at QuickBooks checks. Manual check formats are at manual business checks. Blank security stock is at blank check stock.

The Short Version on Safe and Security Checks

Security checks are checks printed on ABA-compliant security paper with fraud deterrent features built in. The 6 standard ABA features each address a specific fraud type: chemically reactive paper catches check washing, genuine foundry watermark and UV fluorescent fibers address counterfeiting, microprinting and void pantograph prevent copying and scanning, and thermochromic ink provides instant authentication. According to the 2025 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey, 63 percent of organizations faced check fraud in 2024. Checks remain the most-targeted payment method.

CPSA padlock certification means a check printer has certified to the Check Payment Systems Association that their checks include at least three features defending against both alteration and counterfeiting. Checkomatic carries this CPSA certified checks certification on the full six-feature ABA security paper used for every order.

Bank-issued checks are not inherently more secure than checks from a CPSA-certified direct manufacturer. The CPSA FAQ states this directly. Checkomatic's checks provide the same or better security paper at a lower per-check cost than bank-issued alternatives. Security paper at Checkomatic costs nothing extra because every order uses full ABA-compliant stock as the standard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are security checks?

Security check definition: security checks are personal or business checks printed on ABA-compliant security paper with fraud deterrent features built into the paper itself and the printing process. The six standard features are: chemically reactive paper (stains permanently when washing solvents contact it), genuine foundry watermark (embedded in the paper fiber during manufacturing, visible under light, cannot be printed or copied), microprinting (text too small to read with the naked eye that blurs in any photocopy or scan), thermochromic ink (disappears when heat is applied, returning when cooled), void pantograph (reveals VOID text when the check is copied or scanned), and UV fluorescent fibers (glow under ultraviolet light, absent in counterfeit checks on plain paper). Security checks are also called safe checks or high-security checks. Every Checkomatic check ships on six-feature security paper at the base order price.

How many organizations experienced check fraud in 2024?

According to the 2025 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey, 63 percent of organizations experienced attempted or actual check fraud in 2024. This made checks the most-targeted payment method, ahead of wire transfers, ACH, and all other payment types. The AFP payments fraud survey covered over 500 treasury practitioners and is in its 21st year. The 2026 AFP survey (covering 2025 fraud activity) reported 58 percent of organizations facing check fraud, still the highest rate among all payment types. The AFP data shows check fraud has remained between 58 and 66 percent consistently since 2020.

What does the CPSA padlock icon on checks mean?

The CPSA padlock icon is the Enhanced Check Security Features Padlock Icon, a registered certification mark of the Check Payment Systems Association. Its presence on a check means the printing company certified to CPSA that their checks incorporate a minimum of three security features defending against both alteration and counterfeiting. Earning the padlock requires compliance with the ABA ANSI X9 check standard (ANSI X9.100-170-2010), the Check Fraud Deterrent Icon standard. The padlock does not verify the validity of a specific check or the funds behind it; it verifies the paper and printing process meet the enhanced security standard. CPSA itself does not print checks. It certifies the printers who do. Checkomatic's CPSA certification covers the full six-feature ABA security paper on all orders.

Are bank-issued checks more secure than checks ordered directly from a manufacturer?

Not necessarily, and often the reverse is true. Banks source their check stock from the same manufacturers and printers that direct-to-consumer check companies use. Many banks offer a base tier of minimal-feature check paper and charge for a security upgrade. A CPSA-certified direct manufacturer like Checkomatic ships every order on full six-feature ABA security paper at the base price with no upgrade needed. The CPSA FAQ states directly: "No, you do not have to order checks through your bank or financial institution. Any reputable check printing company can help you with a check order." The MICR encoding quality and bank processing compatibility are identical between bank-issued and certified direct-manufacturer checks.

Do security check features protect against all types of check fraud?

ABA-compliant security paper with all six features addresses check washing (chemically reactive paper), photocopying (microprinting, void pantograph), scanning and digital counterfeiting (void pantograph, genuine watermark, UV fluorescent fibers), and authentication at point of acceptance (thermochromic ink, watermark). It does not prevent blank check theft and fraudulent writing, forged endorsements on incoming checks, or internal fraud by an authorized signer. A complete check security approach layers ABA security paper with positive pay (checks presented versus a file of issued checks), restrictive endorsement stamps for incoming checks, secure mailing practices, and regular account monitoring to catch fraud that slips through other defenses.