Reasons to avoid paper checks
- If you mail a check, your sensitive information—full name, address, bank account number, and signature—could end up in the wrong hands.
- Criminals can use paper checks to create forged endorsements, altered checks, counterfeit checks, duplicate checks, and more.
- Fraudsters can also use the information from a stolen check to commit identity theft.
Alternatives to paper checks
- Use online and mobile banking. Most billers can be paid digitally using our bill pay service.Disclosure 2
- Send money quickly and easily to people you know and trust using Zelle®.Disclosure 3
- Set up your PazeSM wallet for online purchases. It hides your card info from vendors.Disclosure 4
- Use debit or credit cards when you can. It’s easier to track, report, and reverse fraudulent activity on a credit card.
Tips for when you must use checks
- Use our bill pay service. Most payees are paid digitally through this service, but if checks are printed they are harder to alter than handwritten checks.
- Don’t leave blank spaces in the payee and amount lines.
- Hand-deliver written checks if you can.
- Use the mailbox inside of a USPS facility rather than a curbside or residential box.
Friend or fraudster?
Social engineering is one of the most prevalent forms of fraud. A scammer pretends to be a person or organization you know, contacting you with a message that seems legitimate but isn’t. This tactic has different names depending on the form of communication.
- Phishing – fraudulent emails or social media direct messages
- Smishing – fraudulent texts or SMS messages
- Vishing – fraudulent phone calls or voicemail messages
Beware of bank imposters.
A scammer may pretend to be a bank employee to gain access to your device, your data, or your money. Start following these safety practices if you’re not already:
- Keep your phone contacts up to date – Add your friends, family, and key service providers (e.g., doctor and dentist) to your phone’s contacts list.
- Never answer a phone call from a number you don’t know – Let these calls go to voicemail. If you get a message from someone who claims to be from Truist or another bank, don’t return the call using the number they provide or the number they called from. Instead, call the number on the back of your credit or debit card. For Truist, call 844-4TRUIST (844-487-8478).
- Never respond to a text message from a number or short code you don’t know – Even messages that appear to be sent in error could be scammers trying to start a false dialogue. Delete suspicious text messages.
Check fraud
Card, ACH, and wire transfer fraud
Online fraud
Security is a team effort.
We’re proactively working on your behalf.
Find out what you need to do to help fight fraud.
Call us.
Reach a real live person Monday through Friday, 8 am to 8 pm ET, or Saturday, 8 am to 5 pm ET. Or get 24-hour automated assistance. Call 844-4TRUIST (844-487-8478), or outside the U.S., call +1-910-914-8250. To report fraud, 24/7, select option 1.
Meet with an advisor.
Find a specific Truist professional by name, location, or financial need.