How to Check if a Check is Fake and What to Do
Protect your finances: Learn to identify fake checks, verify their legitimacy, and know what steps to take if fraud is suspected.
Fraudulent checks remain a threat, often disguised as legitimate payments for goods, services, or even lottery winnings. These deceptive instruments can lead to significant financial losses if not identified and handled properly. Understanding how to verify a check’s authenticity is important for safeguarding personal finances and preventing involvement in illicit schemes. Vigilance and proper verification steps are necessary before acting on any received check.
Inspecting Physical Characteristics
The first line of defense against fake checks involves examining their physical attributes. Genuine checks are typically printed on heavier, higher-quality paper that feels substantial. Discrepancies in paper thickness or a slick, thin texture might indicate a counterfeit.
Examine the ink and printing quality. Legitimate checks feature crisp, clear printing, especially for the routing and account numbers. Smudged ink, blurry lines, or inconsistent font types can suggest a fraudulent document. Many authentic checks incorporate microprinting, which appears as tiny, unreadable text on the signature line or borders, visible only under magnification. This detail is difficult for counterfeiters to replicate accurately.
Security features are often embedded within authentic checks. Hold the check up to a light source to look for watermarks, which are subtle images or patterns within the paper. Some checks also feature security threads, which are thin strips embedded vertically in the paper, or color-changing ink that shifts hue when viewed from different angles. Chemically reactive paper, designed to show stains or discoloration if altered, is a common security measure.
Pay attention to the bank’s logo and contact information. Authentic checks display clear, high-resolution logos and accurate bank names and addresses. Any pixelation, misalignment, or unusual contact details should raise suspicion.
Confirming Check Details
Beyond physical inspection, verifying the information printed on the check through external means is a crucial step. Scrutinize the payer’s information, including their name, address, and any provided contact details. A quick online search for the individual or company can confirm their existence and legitimacy, or reveal any reported scams.
Verifying the bank’s routing number is important. This nine-digit number identifies the financial institution and its location. Find the bank’s official contact information independently through their verified website or a trusted financial directory, rather than using any phone numbers printed directly on the suspicious check. While directly verifying funds or a check’s legitimacy with the bank without being an account holder is generally not possible due to privacy regulations, confirming the bank’s genuine existence is a necessary step.
Carefully review the date and the written and numerical amounts on the check for any inconsistencies or signs of alteration. The numerical amount should match the written amount precisely. Any discrepancies, erasures, or signs of tampering around these fields warrant immediate suspicion. A common fraud tactic involves overpaying and then asking the recipient to send back the excess funds, which should always be a significant red flag.
Question the stated reason for payment, especially if it seems unusual or unsolicited. Fraudulent schemes often involve scenarios that pressure individuals into quick action, such as lottery winnings, mystery shopping assignments, or overpayments for online sales. If the reason for payment does not align with a legitimate transaction you initiated or expected, proceed with extreme caution.
Responding to Suspected Fraud
If a check appears fraudulent after careful inspection and verification, taking immediate action is necessary to protect yourself from financial loss. A fundamental rule is to avoid depositing or cashing any suspicious check. Even if your bank makes a portion of the funds available quickly, the check may still bounce later. If the check is determined to be fake after you have spent the funds, your bank will reclaim the money from your account, and you will be held liable for the entire amount, potentially incurring fees or negative account balances.
Contact your own bank immediately to report the suspicious check. Provide them with all the details you have gathered. Your bank can offer guidance on the appropriate next steps and help protect your account from any related fraudulent activity. It is important to communicate only with your own financial institution, not the bank listed on the potentially fraudulent check.
Consider reporting the incident to relevant authorities, especially if you have lost money or if personal information was compromised. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) accepts complaints about fraudulent checks and scams. You can also file a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Local law enforcement agencies can also be contacted, particularly if the fraudulent activity occurred in person or involved local perpetrators.
Maintain detailed records of the suspicious check and any related communications. Keep a copy of the check itself, including both front and back, and document the date you received it, any contact information provided, and the details of your interactions with your bank or law enforcement. This documentation can be important evidence if further investigation or legal action becomes necessary.