in red-ink figures the
amount for which the check is drawn, placing those figures on the
signature line at the bottom in such a manner that the black-ink
signature will be woven through the red-ink group. Virtually there is
no way of getting around this form of duplicated amount. The red
figures show plainly through the signature and cannot be changed
without affecting the form and character of the signature itself. To
affect a signature in this way is to call attention to the fraud
instantly. A man may make a shaky mismove of the pen somewhere in the
body of the check, and if it is not too prominent a teller may take a
chance and pass it; but he will shy at a signature which isn't what it
ought to be--that subtle sixth sense of the old teller prompts him to
it before he knows why, and a paying teller is always vigilant.

CHAPTER VI

METHODS OF FORGERS, CHECK AND DRAFT RAISERS

Professional Forgers and Their Methods--Using Engravers and
Lithographers--Their Knowledge of Chemicals--Patching Perforated
Paper--Difficult Matter to Detect Alterations and Forgeries--Selecting
Men for the Work--The Middle Man, Presenter, and Shadow--Methods
for Detecting Forgery--Detail Explanation of How Forgers
Work--Altering and Raising Checks and Drafts--A Favorite Trick of
Forgers--Opening a Bank Account for a Blind--Private Marks on Checks
no Safeguard--How a Genuine Signature Is Secured--Bankers Can
Protect Themselves--A Forger the Most Dangerous Criminal--Bankers
Should Scrutinize Signatures--Sending Photograph with Letter of
Advice--How to Secure Protection Against Forgers--Manner in Which
Many Banks Have Been Swindled--Points About Raising Checks and
Drafts That Should Be Carefully Noted.

A professional forgery band consists of first, a capitalist or backer;
second, the actual forger, known among his associates as the
"scratcher"; third, the man who acts as confidential agent for the
forger, known as the "middle man"; fourth, the man who presents the
forged paper at the bank for payment, known as the "layer down" or
presenter.

When it is necessary to have a capitalist or backer connected with a
band he furnishes the funds for the organization, frequently lays out
the plans for work and obtains the genuine paper from which forgeries
are made. He will, when necessary, find the engraver, the lithographer
and most important of all, the "professional forger," who will do the
actual forgery work.

The professional forger