In response to an increase in attempted check fraud at banks across the country, the Oregon Bankers Association (OBA) has issued several tips to help protect Oregon banking customers and assist Oregon banks with preventative measures.

According to the latest American Bankers Association (ABA) Deposit Account Fraud Survey Report, attempted check fraud at the nation's banks has more than doubled in the last three years. Regardless of bank size, the most common type of check fraud is return deposit items, followed by forged signatures and endorsement, and counterfeit checks - and about $1 of every $4 of check fraud losses (26 percent) were linked to new accounts.

The following are OBA check fraud prevention tips to assist Oregon banking customers:

€ Reconcile your banking statement each month and check for unauthorized transactions.

€ Report any suspicious inquiries or unauthorized account transactions to your bank immediately.

€ Never give out your checking account number unless it is a call you have initiated.

€ Reveal checking account information only to businesses you know to be reputable.

€ Store your checks, deposit slips, bank statements and canceled checks in a secure location. Never leave your checkbook in your vehicle or out in the open.

€ Shred or tear-up canceled checks and deposit slips before discarding them.

€ Notify your bank if you don't receive your checks in a reasonable amount of time.

€ Use dark ink, never light colors or pencil that can be easily erased or covered.

€ Don't leave blank spaces on the payee or amount lines.

€ Do not mail checks from an unsecured mailbox, especially at night. Mailboxes are a favorite location for criminals to steal your check with the intent to defraud you.

Additionally, one of the most effective check fraud prevention measures Oregon banks can adopt includes the use of check imaging software, kite detection service at the teller station, "out of pocket" external database for non-financial information for customer authentication, and positive pay service - a computerized check number matching program between banks and banking customers.