Nearly 8 in 10 organizations were targeted by payment fraud last year - and most didn’t recover their losses.

For many business owners, payment fraud still feels like something that happens to someone else. Until it happens to you.

The truth is, fraud isn’t just growing - it’s getting smarter. Sophisticated tactics like altered checks, fake vendor ACH debits and business email compromise are costing businesses time, money, process disruption and potential reputational damage. And while larger companies often have robust fraud teams, smaller and mid-sized businesses are increasingly being targeted because criminals know they may lack strong controls.

At Signature Bank, we believe every business deserves the tools to defend itself - and that starts with Positive Pay Fraud Protection.

What is Positive Pay?
Positive Pay is a low-cost, automated fraud detection service that screens incoming payments - both checks and ACH - against a list of what your company has authorized. If a payment doesn’t match the details you’ve provided (think: wrong amount, wrong vendor, wrong check number), you get an alert and decide whether to approve or reject it.

Think of it as your early warning system - one that works around the clock and doesn’t let fraud slip through unnoticed.

So why aren’t more businesses using it?
It’s a question we hear often, even from our own clients. Many businesses assume their current accounting software or manual review process is “good enough.” Some have never experienced fraud and don’t see the urgency. Others are simply unsure of the setup process or assume it will be time-consuming and cost prohibited.

Here’s the reality: Only 22% of organizations that were victims of payment fraud in 2024 were able to recover 75% or more of their losses. That means for most, once the money’s gone - it’s gone.

Signature Bank makes it easy
We’ve made it our mission to take the friction frustration out of fraud protection. Signature Bank’s Treasury Management team works directly with clients to implement Positive Pay quickly and painlessly. We help you define the right rules, configure alerts, and ensure your files are being submitted securely and accurately.

What sets us apart is our hands-on approach.
You’re not expected to handle fraud detection alone. Our bankers monitor suspicious activity with you - and when something doesn’t look right, you’re not just getting an automated email. You’re getting a partner.

Whether you prefer to submit check files online or transmit them securely via SFTP, we’ve got the flexibility to meet your workflow.

Three ways Positive Pay protects you

  • ACH Positive Pay
    Create rules for vendors, transaction types and dollar limits. We flag or block anything outside your parameters and alert you when action is needed.
  • Check Positive Pay
    Prevent altered, forged, or duplicate checks by matching payee, amount, and check number against your issued file.
  • Reverse Positive Pay
    Want more control? We’ll send you a list of cleared checks for review - so you can approve or reject based on your own thresholds.

Don’t wait for fraud to happen
Positive Pay isn’t just a defense mechanism. It’s peace of mind. It’s control. It’s knowing that you have someone in your corner when the stakes are high.

If your business isn’t using Positive Pay yet, now is the time to act. Fraud is no longer a someday problem - it’s here. And it’s growing.

Contact Penny Foust
pfoust@signaturebank.bank
773-499-7157

Let’s protect what you’ve built.