How to Know If a Check Is Fake and What to Do Next

Fake checks pose a significant financial risk to individuals and businesses. Understanding how to identify these fraudulent instruments is paramount for protecting your finances and avoiding losses. Knowing how to spot a fake check is an important defense against financial crime.

Visual Inspection of a Check

A visual inspection is the first defense against fake checks. Genuine checks are printed on high-quality, substantial paper with a distinct texture, unlike the thin, flimsy, or overly glossy paper used for counterfeits. Irregular perforations along the edges of a fake check indicate it was not properly cut from a checkbook.

Examine the print quality closely for signs of compromise. Blurry lines, uneven ink, misaligned numbers, or faded colors can indicate a fake. Legitimate checks feature sharp, consistent printing, including clear microprinting—tiny text found along the borders or signature line that appears as a solid line if counterfeited. Authentic checks integrate security features like watermarks visible when held to light, embedded security threads, or chemical wash detection boxes that react to alteration attempts. Some checks use color-changing ink for added security.

Be alert for signs of tampering or alteration on the check. Erasure marks, white-out, or mismatched fonts and sizes across different parts of the check, particularly on the payee name, amount, or memo lines, indicate fraud. The numerical and written amounts should always match, and any discrepancy warrants suspicion. Check for an authorized signature; a missing signature is a red flag.

Verifying Check Details

Beyond physical inspection, verify the information printed on the check against independent sources. Never rely on contact information provided directly on the suspicious check, as fraudsters include fake phone numbers or websites. Instead, independently look up the issuing bank’s official contact information through their verified website or a reputable financial directory.

Once you have legitimate contact details, call the bank to verify the check’s authenticity. They will require the check number, issuance date, and the exact amount to confirm its legitimacy. Pay close attention to the bank’s routing number, a nine-digit code identifying the financial institution. Cross-reference this routing number with publicly available databases to ensure it corresponds to the bank listed on the check.

Consider the account holder’s information if available. Inconsistencies in the name or address, or a check number that seems unusually low for a business, can raise concerns. If the check was mailed, a discrepancy between the postmark city and the bank’s location can also be a warning sign. Always independently verify the sender’s identity and reason for sending the check, especially if it’s an unexpected or unsolicited payment.

Common Fake Check Scams

Fraudsters use various narratives to trick individuals into accepting and depositing fake checks. A prevalent scheme is the overpayment scam, where a check is sent for an amount greater than an agreed-upon sum, often for items sold online or services rendered. The scammer requests the excess funds be returned, via wire transfer or gift cards, before the fake check is discovered. This leaves the victim responsible for the entire amount when the check bounces.

Another common scenario involves lottery or sweepstakes winnings the recipient never entered. These checks are presented as a portion of the prize, with instructions to send back money for “taxes” or “fees.” Similarly, job offer scams might involve a fake check sent as an advance for work-from-home positions, requiring the recipient to purchase specific supplies from a designated vendor. The victim sends money for the “supplies,” only to discover the check is fraudulent.

Rental or housing scams also utilize fake checks, where a supposed tenant sends an overpayment for a deposit and requests a refund for the difference. Any unexpected windfall, such as an unsolicited grant or inheritance, delivered via an unexpected check, should be treated with skepticism. These scams exploit the legal requirement for banks to make deposited funds available quickly, giving the scammer time to receive the “refund” before the check clears.

What to Do with a Suspicious Check

If you suspect a check is fake, do not deposit it. Depositing a fraudulent check, even if unaware of its illegitimacy, can lead to significant financial liability when the check bounces, potentially weeks later. You would be responsible for repaying your bank any funds withdrawn or transferred based on that fake deposit.

Immediately contact your own bank to report the suspicious check. Use independently verified contact information for your bank, not any details from the check or the sender. Your bank can provide guidance and advise on the next steps. They can help you understand the potential implications and how to proceed safely.

Report the attempted fraud to relevant authorities to help prevent others from falling victim. If the check was received via mail, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For online or general fraud, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Keep detailed records of the check and any associated correspondence for potential investigation. Finally, cease all communication with the sender of the suspicious check; engaging further can make you more vulnerable to continued scam attempts.