Below are answers to the most commonly asked questions to help you quickly find the information you’re looking for.
How do I contact FraudArmor Plus?
FraudArmor Plus Members: For individuals entitled to the FraudArmor Plus services, contact FraudArmor at 833-433-6043.
Harland Clarke: If you have any questions about your check order, including questions about how and when you can become eligible for FraudArmor Plus, contact Harland Clarke at:
Personal Checks: 1-800-275-1053
Business Checks: 1-800-503-2345
Puerto Rico Customers: 1-800-981-8405
Create your own FraudArmor Plus account and automatically activate your Dark Web Monitoring at fraud-armorpluslogin.com.
When do the FraudArmor Plus services end?
FraudArmor Plus services are available for up to one year from the date your check order is shipped, or until the last check in your order is used, whichever occurs first.
Do all services require online enrollment?
No. Most FraudArmor Plus services are available by calling FraudArmor Plus at 833-433-6043, where your eligibility as a purchaser of an eligible check order will be confirmed. However, to activate Dark Web Monitoring, you must create your FraudArmor Plus account online by setting up a username and password. Dark Web Monitoring is provided at no cost and is optional. We strongly recommend that you take advantage of this benefits as a proactive way to help detect fraud early. Once your account is created, you can manage alerts and communication preferences and easily access contact information for all FraudArmor Plus services. You can create your account by visiting fraud-armorpluslogin.com and following the instructions included with your check order. If you have any questions or you need assistance in establishing your FraudArmor Plus account call 833-433-6043.
Is there an additional cost when you use the FraudArmor Plus services?
No. When FraudArmor Plus is included with your check order there is never any additional cost when you use the services. An entitlement to free Dark Web Monitoring is included with FraudArmor Plus but must be activated by creating your online FraudArmor Plus account.
Does FraudArmor Plus include insurance?
Yes. FraudArmor Plus is a bundle of added-value services included with your eligible check order that helps protect you from the damage that can be caused by check fraud and identity theft. Your eligibility for FraudArmor Plus makes you a member of the FraudArmor Plus group and therefore entitled to an insurance benefit that helps offset certain losses and recovery expenses. This Identity Theft Expense Reimbursement Insurance with Cash Recovery is underwritten by American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida, an Assurant company. The coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions and is subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions. See Benefits for additional information, terms and conditions.
Who owns FraudArmor Plus?
FraudArmor Plus is owned by Harland Clarke, a Vericast Company and a leading provider of payment, check, and security solutions for financial institutions and their customers. The services provided through FraudArmor Plus are powered by a partnership between Harland Clarke and NXG Strategies, LLC, which delivers fraud monitoring, resolution support, and recovery services as part of the FraudArmor Plus program, as further described on the About Us page of this website.
What should I do if I suspect check fraud or other identity theft?
Don’t panic. If you suspect check fraud or other identity theft, even if it has not yet been confirmed, follow these steps:
Step 1: Call 833-433-6043 to report the check fraud or suspected identity theft to open a case. A Resolution Specialist will be assigned as your primary point of contact. The Specialist support hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Step 2: Your Resolution Specialist will provide and help you complete the required paperwork to begin fraud remediation and recovery. See Benefits for more information about the steps in the resolution process.
What is the difference between identity theft and identity fraud?
Identity theft refers to the unauthorized access, acquisition, or misuse of someone’s personal information, such as a Social Security number, account number, or login credentials. Identity fraud occurs when that stolen or misused information is actually used to commit a fraudulent act, such as opening accounts, making purchases, or obtaining benefits. In simple terms, identity theft is the compromise of information, while identity fraud is the criminal use of that information.
What are the different types of identity theft?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has estimated that there are over 30 different types of identity theft. These generally fall into the following major categories:
- Credit card fraud – Unauthorized use of existing credit card accounts or opening new credit cards in someone else’s name
- Bank fraud – Unauthorized activity involving checking or savings accounts, including electronic fund transfers
- Loan or lease fraud – Using someone’s identity to obtain loans, leases, or lines of credit
- Employment or tax-related fraud – Using another person’s identity to get a job or file fraudulent tax returns
- Government benefits fraud – Fraud involving Social Security, unemployment, or other government benefits
- Identity theft related to payments or transfers – Including ACH fraud, wire transfers, and mobile payment misuse
- Phone or utilities fraud – Opening phone, internet, or utility accounts using stolen identity information
- Medical identity theft – Using someone else’s identity to obtain medical care or prescriptions
- Criminal identity theft – When someone gives another person’s identity to law enforcement after committing a crime
- Online account takeover – Unauthorized access to email, financial, or retail accounts
- Other identity theft – Includes internet fraud, education-related fraud, or misuse of personal information that doesn’t fit neatly into other categories
The FTC consistently reports that non-financial identity theft (such as employment, benefits, and medical fraud) makes up a significant portion of identity theft complaints—often surprising consumers who associate identity theft only with stolen money.
How does identity fraud occur?
Identity fraud often results from data breaches, home burglaries involving stolen documents, or lost or stolen wallets containing cards or bank information. In many cases, victims do not realize their information has been compromised until they notice suspicious activity, receive collection calls, or are denied credit. Examples include stolen checks or card numbers used for purchases, loans opened in your name, criminals impersonating you when arrested, or employment fraud using your personal information.
How does Dark Web Monitoring work?
Dark Web Monitoring is a proactive service designed to detect when personal information appears in high-risk areas of the internet where stolen data is bought, sold, or traded. Once activated, you can register personal credentials for monitoring. FraudArmor Plus scans black-market forums, hacker chat rooms, and similar sources associated with identity fraud. If suspicious activity is detected, you will receive an alert so you can review details and take action early.
Do I need to activate Dark Web Monitoring?
Yes. Dark Web Monitoring is included with FraudArmor Plus but must be activated. Create your FraudArmor Plus account at fraud-armorpluslogin.com using the instructions provided with your check order to activate the Dark Web Monitoring. Once your account is established you will be able to add additional credentials for monitoring and manage your alert preferences. NOTE: When Dark Web Monitoring is first activated, some alerts may reflect activity from previous years. After the initial activation, you’ll only receive alerts for new activity.
What is the Lost Document and Lost Wallet Assistance Service?
This service helps if your wallet or important documents are lost or stolen—even if no fraud has occurred. A Resolution Specialist can assist with canceling and replacing credit and debit cards, replacing government-issued identification, and helping manage the loss of other important documents. This service helps reduce disruption and lower the risk of misuse.
What is Fully Managed Resolution?
Fully Managed Resolution means a certified Resolution Specialist can actively manage the resolution process on your behalf, using either three-way phone calls or a limited power of attorney authorization. This is more than just advice. With your authorization, your Resolution Specialist may work directly with financial institutions and credit bureaus, investigate fraudulent activity, dispute fraudulent transactions and accounts, and coordinate required documentation and communications. After resolution is completed, FraudArmor Plus provides 12 months of follow-up support, including credit monitoring.
What types of fraud does FraudArmor Plus help with?
FraudArmor Plus assists with both financial and non-financial identity fraud, including forged signatures and endorsements, altered or counterfeit checks, debit card, ACH, and credit card fraud, employment fraud, medical identity theft, government benefits fraud, and internet-based fraud. FraudArmor Plus supports fraud involving personal checking accounts tied to eligible check orders.
How does Cash Recovery work?
Cash Recovery is an additional coverage of the Identity Theft Expense Reimbursement Insurance and helps reimburse certain unrecoverable financial losses that result from fraud or identity theft. Cash Recovery shares the same overall policy limit as the Identity Theft Expense Reimbursement Insurance and may apply when losses cannot be recovered from a financial institution or card issuer, subject to the policy’s terms and conditions. See Benefits or refer to the Insurance Guide to Benefit for additional information, terms and conditions.
What can I do to help prevent check fraud?
To help reduce the risk of check fraud:
- Handle your checks and account information carefully and review activity regularly.
- Store checks, deposit slips, and bank statements in a secure, locked location, and reconcile your bank statements promptly to spot unauthorized activity early.
- Never share your account number or personal information with unknown individuals by phone, email, or online.
- Shred old checks, deposit slips, and account statements you no longer need, and inspect new check orders immediately to ensure all checks are present.
- When writing checks, avoid leaving blank spaces in the payee or amount fields, never make checks payable to cash, and do not endorse checks until you are ready to deposit or cash them.
Taking these simple precautions can help reduce exposure and make it harder for fraud to occur.