New stolen check volume remains unchanged while criminal networks adapt to platform changes

Recorded Future's latest analysis reveals that check fraud remains a critical threat to financial institutions, with new stolen check volumes holding steady despite Telegram's increased cooperation with law enforcement. This comprehensive report examines shifting fraud patterns and provides actionable intelligence for mitigating the estimated $24 billion in annual check fraud losses.

Key findings include:

• 31% decrease in total stolen check postings driven entirely by fewer "reposts" - new unique stolen checks remained stable between H1 2024 and H1 2025
• Geographic shift toward rural areas nationwide, with more stolen checks originating from ZIP codes distant from urban centers
• Declining US Treasury check fraud during tax season, with new hotbeds emerging in Georgia and southwestern Texas
• Actionable mitigation strategies including enhanced detection capabilities, customer education, and proactive intelligence use