Patent Abstract:
A method for a consumer to protect against loss associated with specified forms of check fraud. Upon purchasing checks, a consumer can subscribe to a check fraud protection program, for an additional fee. The subscription will enable the consumer to obtain reimbursement from the check printer for the consumer&#39;s losses due to specified causes. The consumer reciprocally assigns any right of recovery from the consumer&#39;s bank or financial institution to the check printer, which can then seek reimbursement from the bank, or financial institution and institute proceedings against the fraud perpetrator. Protection may be obtained for forged signatures, forged endorsements and altered check. A symbol to indicate such protection is also disclosed.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/685,206, filed on Oct. 14, 2003, which is based upon and claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/418,936 entitled “System and Method for Providing Check Fraud Protection”, filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Oct. 15, 2002 by the inventors herein, the specifications of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention disclosed herein relates generally to the recovery of losses associated with unauthorized use of negotiable instruments, and more particularly to a fraud protection system and method for enabling a consumer to recover losses due to forged signatures, forged endorsements, or altered information on personal checks. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Attempted check fraud at commercial banks is a growing problem. Check fraud can be one of the most damaging personal frauds. A victim of check fraud can suffer not only loss of all their financial holdings, but damage to their credit report as well. 
         [0006]    Check fraud is generally perpetrated in one of several manners, such as:
       FORGED SIGNATURES—legitimate blank checks with an imitation of the payer signature;   FORGED ENDORSEMENTS—often involves the use of a stolen check, which is then endorsed and cashed or deposited by someone other than the payee;   COUNTERFEIT CHECKS—due to the advancement in color copying and desktop publishing capabilities, this is the fastest-growing source of fraudulent checks today;   ALTERED CHECKS—information on a legitimate check, such as payee or check amount, changed to benefit the perpetrator; and   CHECK KITING—the process of depositing a check from one bank account into a second bank account without the sufficient funds to cover it.       
 
         [0012]    According to a leading accounting firm, more than 500 million checks are forged annually, with losses totaling more than $10 billion. 
         [0013]    According to the National Check Fraud Center, check fraud and counterfeiting are among the fastest-growing problems affecting the nation&#39;s financial system, producing estimated annual losses of $10 billion, and continues to rise annually at an alarming rate. 
         [0014]    According to a report issued by the American Banker, an industry bankers&#39; magazine, estimates of losses from check fraud will grow by 2.5% annually in the coming years. 
         [0015]    Many processes and techniques have been developed to thwart the growing problem of check fraud. Special inks, microprinting, encryption of machine-readable code, and specially designed checkbooks to disclose loss of checks are some methods suggested to guard against check fraud. Even with the multitude of schemes to prevent incidents of check fraud, the continued growth indicates that most courses of action are ineffective in preventing such occurrence, such that consumers continue to lose significant funds through the ongoing check fraud ailment. Efforts must be directed to recovery of losses attributed to such check fraud. 
         [0016]    Ordinarily, for a consumer to recover losses arising from victimization by check fraud, such consumer must generally investigate the fraud on their own, report such fraud to their bank or financial institution to seek reimbursement, and initiate criminal and/or civil proceedings as appropriate, if necessary. Such steps are generally unfamiliar to the average consumer, and the apprehension of such tasks can present a barrier to entry. 
         [0017]    Accordingly, there has been found to remain a need for a simple method for a consumer victimized by check fraud to recover from losses associated with specific forms of check fraud, such as forged signatures, forged endorsements, and alterations to legitimate checks. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to enable a process for recovering losses due to check fraud that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. 
         [0019]    It is another object of the present invention to enable a method by which a consumer can recover losses due to specific modes of check fraud. A related object is to enable a method by which a consumer can recover losses directly from such consumer&#39;s check printer. 
         [0020]    It is another object of the present invention to enable a method by which a consumer can recover losses due to check fraud in the nature of forged signatures. It is another object of the present invention to enable a method by which a consumer can recover losses due to check fraud in the nature of forged endorsements. It is yet another object of the present invention to enable a method by which a consumer can recover losses due to check fraud in the nature of altered instruments. 
         [0021]    Another object of the present invention is the provision of a claim form for reporting loss to the consumer&#39;s check printer. 
         [0022]    Another object of the present invention is the provision of limited durable power of attorney by which a consumer can assign any claim arising from the check fraud to the check printer. 
         [0023]    Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel method for recovering losses arising from specific modes of check fraud. 
         [0024]    A specific object of the invention is the provision of a negotiable instrument wherein a designated symbol is imprinted on the instrument to indicate the protection for that instrument. 
         [0025]    Another object of the invention is to enable a method in which, upon occurrence and reporting of a check fraud event involving a protected check, a new series of protected checks is issued to the authorized check writer. 
         [0026]    In accordance with the above objects, a system and method for a consumer to protect against loss associated with specified forms of check fraud are provided. Upon purchasing checks, a consumer can, for an additional fee, subscribe to a check fraud protection program. The subscription will enable the consumer to obtain reimbursement from the check printer for the consumer&#39;s losses due to predetermined causes of check fraud. The consumer reciprocally assigns any right of recovery from the consumer&#39;s bank or financial institution to the check printer, which can then seek reimbursement from the bank, or financial institution and institute proceedings against the fraud perpetrator. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention are considered in more detail, in relation to the following description of embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a check for describing features of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of an insert accompanying checks purchased under an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a claim form for use in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  is a durable power of attorney for use in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    The invention summarized above may be better understood by referring to the following description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers are used for like parts. This description of an embodiment, set out below to enable one to practice an implementation of the invention, is not intended to limit the preferred, embodiment, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
         [0033]      FIG. 1  shows a view of the face of a prepared check, indicated generally as  10 . On the face of the check are the following data items: the name and address of the account holder  13 ; the name of the payee  16 ; the issuing bank number with routing number  19 ; the checking account number  22 ; a check number  25 ; the check date  28 ; the check amount  31 ; the name of the issuing bank  34 ; and the signature of the payer  37 . 
         [0034]    Indication of some security features may also be seen on the face of the check  10 . For example, it is common to use microprinting to create the signature line  40 . Such microprinting appears as a dotted line when photocopied. The stylized MP symbol  43  indicates the presence of microprinting. The padlock symbol  46  is a certification mark indicating that the check  10  contains certain security features. 
         [0035]    Pursuant to one feature of a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, additional indicia  50  is provided on the face of the check indicating that the particular check  10  is protected by a check fraud protection program as disclosed herein. As explained in greater detail below, while a series of checks  10  having consecutive check numbers is issued to an account holder, it is intended that all checks in such series according to the instant invention bear such indicia  50 , and thus that the check fraud protection program disclosed herein applies check fraud protection to every one of the checks in such series. 
         [0036]    In operation, the system of the present invention operates as follows:
       a. A consumer orders a box of checks from a check printing source and provides to the check printer the appropriate information to be printed on the check, such as the name and address of the account holder  13 ; the issuing bank number with routing number  19 ; the name of the issuing bank  34  and checking account number  22 ; and a beginning check number  25  for the box of checks.   b. During the ordering process, the consumer is presented the option of subscribing to a check fraud protection program for all the checks in the box.   c. Upon election by the consumer to purchase such check fraud protection, the check printer adds an indicia, such as 50 to every check printed in the box. The check printer also records the range of numbers of the checks in the box. Typically, a box contains two hundred (200) checks in single format or .one hundred fifty (150) checks in duplicate format. The check printer sends the box of printed checks to the consumer and includes an insert, such as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , informing the consumer that the checks in the box are included under the check fraud protection plan.   d. Upon the occurrence of an identified check fraud event (as described in greater detail below) against any of the checks in the box, the consumer reports the occurrence to the check printer using a reimbursement request form to obtain reimbursement directly from the check printer. An exemplary reimbursement request form is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The consumer also provides the check printer a power of attorney, including an assignment of the right of recovery by the consumer, to enable the check printer to pursue an appropriate action against the responsible banking or financial institution. An exemplary power of attorney form is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In addition to such reimbursement request form, a police report and/or other proof of fraud is required.   e. Upon notification of such reimbursement request, the check printer prints a new box of checks which, when properly executed by the authorized account holder, will draw funds from a new account that receives the account holder&#39;s funds after the original, compromised account is closed.       
 
         [0042]    Check fraud events for which reimbursement may be requested preferably include: 
         [0043]    Forged Signatures: protection applies to legitimate blank checks that are forged with an authorized signature  37  ( FIG. 1 ), as the payer, and that results in a debit to the checking account. 
         [0044]    Forged Endorsements: protection applies to a legitimate check that is endorsed and cashed or deposited by someone other than the designated payee  16  ( FIG. 1 ) based upon a fraudulent and false endorsement. Such protection, however, does not apply to a check that bears a legitimate original endorsement that is secondarily fraudulently endorsed. 
         [0000]    Altered Checks: protection applies to legitimate checks that contain altered information such as payee identification  16 , check amount  31 , or other alteration to benefit the party altering the check. 
         [0045]    Checks employed by the system and method of the invention described herein preferably only include those checks within the range of numbers purchased in the order at the time of the check fraud protection subscription. Such checks should be imprinted with indicia  50  indicating that the checks are, in fact, secured by the check fraud protection program disclosed herein. The check fraud protection program may only be purchased at the time the original checks are purchased. For accuracy, the check printer maintains a database record of all check numbers for which the check fraud protection program has been purchased. In order to be effective, the consumer must subscribe all the boxes of checks in a particular order. Protection expires once all checks in the box have been used or two years from the time of purchase, whichever is sooner. 
         [0046]    The check fraud protection program described herein is not an insurance policy although a commercial insurance provider may insure the organization providing such fraud protection. The fraud protection program is designed to facilitate the consumer&#39;s recovery of losses arising from identified check fraud events, such that the consumer obtains benefits directly from the check printer by assigning any claims against the responsible banking/financial institution to the check printer. Accordingly, the consumer obtaining such fraud protection need not and should not seek any reimbursement from the responsible banking/financial institution. 
         [0047]    The protection may be limited, such as to a maximum of $25,000.00 per box of checks, regardless of the number of checks for which reimbursement requests are presented and/or the number of requests made. Protection may apply only to personal checks purchased according to the program. Such protection does not apply to business checks, deposit tickets, and checks not included in a box of checks for which a subscription was purchased, even if such checks were also purchased from the same check printer. Furthermore, protection may be limited to only frauds committed in the country where the consumer is a resident. 
         [0048]    Only designated losses are reimbursable pursuant to the check fraud protection program. The amount reimbursable includes all actual amounts paid from the consumer&#39;s account and all bank/financial institution/retailer fees arising from the fraud, not to exceed the limits of such check fraud protection program. 
         [0049]    The invention has been described with references to a preferred embodiment. While specific values, relationships, materials and steps have been set forth for purposes of describing concepts of the invention, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the basic concepts and operating principles of the invention as broadly described. It should be recognized that, in the light of the above teachings, those skilled in the art can modify those specifics without departing from the invention taught herein. Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with such underlying concept. It is intended to include all such modifications, alternatives and other embodiments insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof. It should be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein. Consequently, the present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6