After a recent loss taken on counterfeit checks, the Audit Committee has asked me to investigate solutions to stopping the checks at the teller line. The best & least expensive method we have found so far is to have the teller review another recent check or two from the customer to compare against. However, getting tellers to do this when they are trying to move the customers through the transaction as quickly as possible is a challenge. Does anyone have an effective method for stopping counterfeit checks before the teller gives the bank's money away? Thanks!

Don't have to tell you, but fraud/risk is the nature of our business and our tellers have more responsibility than paying and receiving these days. We're a small, community bank and depend on our front line staff to review account history, recently presented checks & signature card to hopefully stop fraud at the teller line. Do you have a policy in place to reprimand/enact disciplinary measures against the employee if they cash a fraudulent check and didn't follow procedure? This keeps it on their minds, but, of course, won't stop fraud entirely.