Can You Get Scammed by Someone Sending You a Check?

Check scams pose a significant financial threat to individuals, often appearing deceptively legitimate. These fraudulent schemes exploit trust and can lead to substantial monetary losses for victims. Scammers use sophisticated tactics, making it difficult to discern a fake check from a genuine one. The authentic appearance of these checks makes them dangerous, as recipients may unknowingly participate in the scam, only to discover they are responsible for lost funds.

Common Check Scam Scenarios

Scammers use various narratives to trick individuals into depositing fraudulent checks and sending money. Common tactics include:
Overpayment Scams: A buyer sends a check for more than the agreed price, then claims a mistake and asks for a refund of the difference.
Lottery or Sweepstakes Winnings: Individuals receive a check for a supposed prize but are told to send back funds for “taxes” or “fees.”
Job-Related Scams: Fake checks are sent for initial payments or “supplies” for mystery shopping or work-from-home positions, with instructions to deposit and wire a portion to a third party.
Car Wrapping or Personal Assistant Offers: Involve depositing a check and forwarding funds to supposed “installers” or “bosses.”
Remote Deposit Fraud: Scammers use mobile banking to deposit a fraudulent check into a victim’s account, then pressure them to withdraw and send funds before the check clears.

The goal across these scenarios is to induce the victim to send real money, typically via irreversible methods like wire transfers or gift cards, before the check’s counterfeit nature is discovered.

Identifying Counterfeit Checks

Distinguishing a counterfeit check from a legitimate one can be challenging, but several physical characteristics serve as warning signs:
Print Quality: Fake checks often have poor resolution, faded colors, or misspellings in bank names, addresses, or logos.
Paper Quality: Authentic checks are printed on high-quality, matte paper. A thin, flimsy, or overly shiny texture should raise suspicion.
Ink Smear Test: Lightly rub a moistened fingertip across the printed surface; if the ink smears, it likely indicates a fake.
Perforations: Edges may appear irregular or rough on a counterfeit.
Check Number: Verify the check number, usually in the upper right-hand corner and within the Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) line, for alterations or absence.
Routing Code: This code identifies the bank and should accurately correspond to the listed financial institution. Discrepancies or incorrect digits indicate fraud.
MICR Line: Should be printed with special magnetic ink that is dull, not shiny, and characters should be flat.
Signatures/Markings: Missing authorized signatures or the presence of words like “Void” or “non-negotiable” signal potential fraud.

Bank Funds and Your Financial Responsibility

A common misconception enabling check scams is believing a check has cleared once funds appear in an account. Federal law, the Expedited Funds Availability Act, mandates that banks make deposited funds available to customers within specific timeframes. This means that even if a bank makes funds from a deposited check available for withdrawal, often within one or two business days, it does not guarantee the check itself is legitimate. Cash deposits and electronic payments, for instance, are generally available the next business day. For most checks, funds must be available by the second business day, and at least the first $275 of a check deposit must be available the next business day.

However, the process of a check truly “clearing” and the funds being irrevocably transferred from the issuing bank can take significantly longer, sometimes weeks. During this period, if the check is discovered to be fraudulent, the bank will reverse the deposit. Individuals, not the bank, are ultimately responsible for any funds withdrawn or transferred based on a fraudulent check. This financial liability means that if you spend the money from a fake check before it bounces, you will owe your bank the full amount, potentially incurring fees and account closure.

Responding to a Suspicious Check

Receiving a suspicious check requires immediate and cautious action to prevent financial loss.
Do not deposit or cash the check. Even if funds appear quickly, depositing a fraudulent check makes you liable for lost money.
Do not send money back to the sender. This is the scammer’s primary goal.
Contact the issuing bank directly to verify legitimacy. Do not use any phone number printed on the check; independently find the official number through their website or a reliable directory.
Provide the bank with the check number, issuance date, and amount for verification.
Cease all communication with the individual or entity who sent the suspicious check.

Reporting a Check Scam

If you encounter a check scam, whether you lost money or wish to report attempted fraud, take these formal steps:
Notify your bank about the fraudulent check, providing all transaction details. Your bank can advise on next steps and account impact.
File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) via ReportFraud.ftc.gov or their consumer hotline.
For internet-related fraud, submit a complaint to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), a division of the FBI, on their website.
If the check was received via postal mail, report the incident to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
Consider filing a report with your local law enforcement agency, providing relevant documentation and obtaining a copy of the police report.