Before buying personal or business checks you should inform yourself of best ways to protect yourself from check fraud. Since man has written checks check fraud has existed. Like any fraud, check fraud emerged as crafty con artists discovered they could photocopy checks or alter checks to steal money from innocent victims. Thanks to technological advances and craftier con artists, check fraud is as common as a cup of coffee.

As a consumer you should concern yourself with ways to prevent or reduce chances that checks you write will fall victim to fraud. Fortunately there are many ways to reduce likelihood of fraud. Whether you are a fan of cheap checks, high quality business checks or personal checks that express your personality, there is security available for you. Chances are you'll find what you're looking for and security to protect you from check fraud with a little planning.

Once you know what to look for, there s no reason you should fall victim to thieves, crafty or otherwise. Let's take a look at some common security measures check companies use to protect you from thieves.

Check Security

Many check companies including Deluxe™ checks now offer consumers special features to help prevent likelihood of fraud. Among more common measures adopted to protect consumers include:

• Microprinting - micro printing is simply print on check that is small enough to prevent someone from photocopying information on check.
• Erasure Protection - this protection prevents anyone from erasing information on check. A white spot appears if someone tries this.
• Original Document - each check is printed with words original document that can't be photocopied.

Other companies including Quicken™ checks and Quickbooks™ checks are taking measures to ensure your safety. Among security features adopted by these companies include:

• Small print. Like Deluxe™ checks this prevents thieves from photocopying your information.
• Erasure protection.
• Special detail including foil and embossing. This also makes it difficult for thieves to photocopy checks.

There is more to bankruptcy than as a way of finally putting an end to harassing debt collectors and creditors. One big side effect of bankruptcy being that your life is likely to be subjected to intense scrutiny.

These are some of benefits of bankruptcy:

Relieves stress caused by dealing with numerous creditors.

Once a bankruptcy order is made, a third party takes over administration, decision making and payment process of debts.

Creditors forced to recognise that they must accept less money than is owed.

Debtors typically pay less with a bankruptcy order than with an Individual Voluntary Arrangement.

Once discharged, most debts are written off and creditors cannot pursue them.

Here are some of drawbacks associated with bankruptcy:

The debtor will lose any realisable assets of value.

If debtor owns equity in a home, this will almost certainly be sold.

If a business is owned, this could be sold and any employees dismissed.

Bank current accounts can be difficult to obtain.

It is a costly process. All fees for insolvency service, courts and any trustee are taken out of debtor's assets.