Fighting Check Fraud with Tech: Treasury Check Validation on Symitar

The following is an article written by ProBridge's Core Banking Expert, Robin Hess. It originally appeared on CUInsight.com.

In an era where fraudsters are getting smarter, credit unions must stay one step ahead, especially when it comes to check fraud. One of the most effective tools available now is the Treasury Check Verification System (TCVS) API, which allows institutions to verify the authenticity of U.S. Treasury checks in real time. When paired with Symitar’s SymXchange API, this integration becomes a powerful fraud prevention solution that’s both scalable and secure.

Why Treasury Check Verification Matters

U.S. Treasury checks, such as tax refunds, Social Security payments and stimulus disbursements, are common deposit items at credit unions. Unfortunately, they’re also a frequent target for fraud. Criminals use techniques like check washing, counterfeiting and payee name manipulation to exploit these instruments.

The Treasury Check Verification API Helps Credit Unions:

• Instantly verify if a check is legitimate.
• Confirm the check number, amount and issue date.
• Detect mismatches in payee information.
• Reduce manual review and hold times.

How Symitar Enables Integration

Symitar’s SymXchange API is a SOAP-based web services platform that allows credit unions to securely connect external systems to their core. It supports:

• Running PowerOn specfiles
• Performing inquiries and transactions
• Exchanging data with third-party APIs

By using SymXchange, credit unions can build a secure bridge between their Symitar core and the Treasury API—without exposing sensitive data to the browser or violating CORS policies.

Integration Architecture: How It Works

Here’s a simplified flow:

1. Member presents a Treasury check for deposit.
2. A form captures the check number, amount and issue date.
3. The form triggers a PowerOn specfile.
4. The specfile sends the data to a middleware service.
5. The middleware calls the Treasury API and returns the result via SymXchange.
6. The result is displayed in the form or logged in Symitar for audit.

This architecture avoids CORS issues by keeping the API call server-side and ensures that sensitive data never leaves the credit union’s secure environment

Real-World Benefits

• Faster check processing: Reduce hold times by verifying checks instantly.
• Lower fraud risk: Catch altered or counterfeit checks before they’re deposited.
• Improved member trust: Show members that their credit union is using cutting-edge tools to protect their money.
• Operational efficiency: Automate what was once a manual, error-prone process.

Bonus: Payee Name Verification

Payee name matching, a critical feature for detecting washed or altered checks, has recently been added to the TCVS API. This service can be integrated into the same middleware layer, giving credit unions even more fraud-fighting power.

Getting Started

To implement this integration, credit unions will need:

• Access to SymXchange and PowerOn specfile development
• A secure middleware service
  • Option 1: Azure Functions or AWS Lambda (Serverless Middleware)
    Best for: Credit unions with limited infrastructure but strong cloud governance.
  • Option 2: Node.js Express App on a Secure VM or Container
    Best for: Credit unions with internal IT teams or vendor support.
  • Option 3: Build a Java web app on existing Apache Tomcat (using Spring Boot or plain servlets)
    Best for: Symitar credit unions with Java development knowledge and still using symformPDF not PowerFrame Docs.
• Treasury API credentials (available through the TCVS program)

Bonus: Reusable Middleware—One Setup, Many Integrations

Setting up middleware might seem like a heavy lift at first, but it’s a strategic investment that pays off quickly. Once your credit union has a secure middleware layer in place (whether it’s hosted on Apache Tomcat, Azure Functions or another platform), integrating additional vendors becomes dramatically easier.

Think of Middleware as a Digital Switchboard

It connects Symitar to the outside world, securely and efficiently. And once it’s in place, your credit union can plug in new services with minimal effort, making it easier to innovate, protect members and stay competitive.

Conclusion: A Smarter, Safer Future for Check Processing

Check fraud isn’t going away—but credit unions don’t have to fight it alone. By integrating the Treasury Check Verification API with Symitar, credit unions gain a powerful, real-time tool to verify U.S. Treasury checks before they’re deposited. This not only protects the institution from financial loss but also reinforces member trust in a time when security and speed are paramount.

While setting up middleware may seem like a technical hurdle, it’s a one-time investment that unlocks long-term agility. With a secure, reusable integration layer in place, credit unions can quickly connect to other essential services—from address validation to fraud detection—without starting from scratch each time.

Fraudsters are evolving—so credit unions have to evolve faster. Treasury check verification is just the beginning. With the right architecture and tools, your credit union can build a future where fraud is caught early, operations run smoother, and members feel more confident than ever.