Final answer:
Check forgeries have risen due to the increased online activity of individuals leading to a higher risk of identity theft. Another factor is the human error in security operations due to cognitive overload. Stronger personal security measures and corporate/governmental protections are needed to combat this trend.
Step-by-step explanation:
The escalation of check forgeries in recent years can be attributed to several factors. A primary reason is the increased online presence of individuals, which amplifies the likelihood of identity theft and financial crimes. With more personal information available on the web, cybercriminals have greater opportunities to steal identities and forge checks.
Additionally, as reported by the Pew Research Center, concern over the amount of personal information accessible online increased by 17 percent from 2009 to 2013. Human factors, such as the volume of decisions made by operators in security centers, can also contribute to increased vulnerability; studies show that increased cognitive effort results in more errors in identifying genuine security threats. In response, it is necessary to shore up defenses, including implementing stronger individual security measures like two-factor authentication and robust passwords, as well as enhancing companies' and governments' website protections.