The latest mode is for the forger to imitate a private check by the photo-lithographic method, after having obtained a signed check.  The signature, after being photographed, is carefully traced over with ink, and the body of the check is filled up for whatever amount is desired.  The maker of the check is requested to identify the person who holds it, and as a general thing he does not wait to see the money paid.  The moment his back is turned, the layer-down palms the small check and presents the large one.  This way of obtaining money is without the assistance of a middleman.

Private marks on checks are no safeguards at all, although a great many merchants believe they can prevent forgery by making certain dots, or seeming slips of the pen, which are known only to the paying-teller and themselves.  This precaution becomes useless when the forger uses the camera.  Safe-breakers are often called upon by forgers and asked to secure a sheet of checks out of a check-book.  When this is accomplished a few canceled checks are taken at the same time.  These are given to the forger and he fills them up for large amounts, after tracing or copying the signature.  The safe burglars receive a percentage on the amount realized.  If your safe, vault or desk is broken open where your check-book is kept, carefully count the leaves in your check-book, also your canceled checks.  If any are missing notify the banks and begin using a different style of check immediately.  The sneak-thief, while plying his trade, often secures unsigned bonds of some corporation which has put the signed bonds in circulation, leaving the rest unsigned until the next meeting of the directors.

Frequently unsigned bonds are left in the bank vault for safe keeping.  These are stolen and sent to the penman or “scratcher.”  Then a genuine signed bond is purchased, from which the signatures are copied and then forged.  The same trick has been played on unsigned bank notes, but on the bank notes almost any name will do, as no person looks at the signature, as long as the note appears genuine.

The ingenuity of a countless army of sharpers is constantly at work in this country, devising plans to obtain funds dishonestly, without work, but, in fact, they often expend more time, skill and labor in carrying out their nefarious schemes, than would serve to earn the sum they finally secure, by honest labor.  Every banker must, therefore, be on his guard, and should acquaint himself with the most approved means of detecting and avoiding the most common swindlers.  This is just as necessary as it is to lock his books and cash in his safe before going home.

Next to the counterfeiter, the forger is the most dangerous criminal in business life.  Transactions involving the largest sums of money are completed on the faith in the genuineness of a signature.  Hence every effort should be made to acquire the art of detecting an imitation at a glance.  This can only be done by considerable practice.  It is asserted that every signature has character about it which can not be perfectly copied, and which can always be detected by an experienced eye.  This is problematical, but certainly a skillful bank-teller can hardly be deceived by the forgery of a name of a well-known depositor.