Check4Real

Check4Real Website Image

Inspiration

My inspiration for Check4Real was learning about how every year, 1.3 billion dollars get stolen every year using check fraud, with small businesses and senior citizens often being the most affected by these scams. Usually, there is no way for anyone to know if a check is fraudulent or not before depositing it, which can lead to devastating financial losses and retirement funds being emptied after the check gets bounced. To help solve this problem, I wanted to create something that helps people know what to expect from any check they get before they deposit, helping stop scams before they even get a chance to get their wheels rolling. My goal with this project is to help as many people as possible and shield the world's most vulnerable populations from financial crime.

What it does

Check4Real helps prevent check fraud by verifying the accuracy of routing numbers on checks and cross referencing routing numbers against Federal Reserve data. First, the user inputs their check's routing number and the bank associated with it. After thoroughly checking the validity of the routing numbers and the bank name tied to them, the app then gives an assessment of how trustworthy the check is and providing information on potential discrepancies.

How we built it

I built this project as an app originally on Android App Studio, but after realizing that it's core concept could be make simpler and more accessible in a browser based version, I decided to publish it as a website using Vercel. I had to use the Cursor IDE to help me convert and implement my original Kotlin code into React and TypeScript in order to make a web based version.

Challenges I ran into

The main challenge I faced is that i had no previous experience with React, TypeScript, or Vercel, and I had to learn how to use all of these languages and deployment platforms in order to make my project a reality.

Accomplishments that I am proud of

I am proud of the fact that i was able to create an impactful end product that work to solve a real problem!

What I learned

I learned a lot about React and TypeScript and how to use these languages to make my project look appealing and also work as a browser based tool. I also learned how to deploy a website using Vercel.