The counterfeiters move into a city or town around payday and cash the cheques at local institutions which have cheque cashing agreements with the targeted corporation. Some common signs of a counterfeit cheque cheque that does not have a MICR line at the bottom. MICR ink that looks shiny or that feels raised. Magnetic ink is dull and legitimate cheque printing produces characters that are flat on the paper. Cheque Security Features Cheque manufacturers help deter check fraud by making cheques difficult to copy, alter, or counterfeit.
Most watermarks make subtle designs on the front and back of the cheques.
These marks are not easily visible and can only be seen when they are held up to light at a 45-degree angle. This offers protection from counterfeiting because copiers and scanners generally cannot accurately copy watermarks. Copy Void Pantograph Pantographs are patented designs in the background pattern of cheques. Chemical Voids Chemical voids involve treating cheque paper in a manner that is not detectable until eradicator chemicals contact the paper. Checks treated with chemical voids cannot be altered without detection.