Security8-12 Generic MICR Fundamentals GuideAmount limit statementsAn example of an amount limit statement is “NOT VALID FORMORE THAN $xxx DOLLARS.” The “$xxx” may be statedalphabetically or numerically. Both ways offer protection becausetwo areas of the document must be altered.Some countries may require that the statement be printed inmore than one language. The Xerox printing system allowsselection of small or compressed fonts to create space for thestatements on the document.Amount in Words fieldsOne of the safest protection methods is the use of multiple fieldsthat indicate the payable amount. For example, the payableamount can be printed once as a numeric field and once as atext string. Most handwritten checks use this protectiontechnique.Machine-produced checks often do not use multiple amountfields. One reason is the difficulty in deciding on an appropriatetext string for larger amount values.The text Amount field requires advance planning for formsdesign and for the application program. Using small,compressed fonts allows for multiple lines and statements.NOTE: The text string is considered the legal amount field, andtakes legal precedence over the numeric amount field, which isthe convenience amount.Preventing check duplicationLike check tampering, document duplication can not beeliminated completely. In fact, there are legitimate reasons forcheck duplication, including image capture by banks forautomated processing or audit purposes and copies of personalchecks for third party reimbursement. However, checks are notduplicated for the purpose of transferring funds.Several features can be built into a check to make the task ofcheck duplication more difficult, without hindering legitimateduplications.
