What a Real Check Looks Like and How to Spot a Fake

Checks remain a common method for exchanging funds in the United States, despite the rise of digital payments. Understanding the characteristics of a legitimate check is important for financial safety, as it helps protect individuals from fraud and financial losses.

Key Components of a Standard Check

Legitimate checks contain several fundamental elements. The account holder’s name and address, identifying the payer, are in the upper left corner. The date line, near the top right, indicates when the check was written. The “Pay to the Order of” line specifies the payee. To the right of the payee line, a numerical amount box displays the payment value in digits.

The written amount line spells out the payment in words, safeguarding against alteration. The signature line, in the bottom right, requires the drawer’s authorized signature. An optional memo line provides space for notes. The check number, in the upper right corner and repeated in the Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) line, helps track checks. The bank’s name and address are prominently displayed. The MICR line at the bottom contains the bank’s routing number, account number, and check number, printed with magnetic ink for automated processing. The nine-digit routing number identifies the financial institution.

Built-in Security Features

Legitimate checks incorporate security features to prevent counterfeiting and alteration. Microprinting involves tiny text or patterns in areas like the signature line, often too small to be legible without magnification. This detail is difficult for counterfeiters to reproduce, appearing blurred when copied.

Watermarks are images embedded within the paper, visible when held to light. These can include bank logos or the word “VOID,” and are challenging to replicate. Chemical alteration protection involves treated paper that reacts with chemicals used to erase ink, causing stains or discoloration if changes are attempted.

Some checks feature security threads, thin strips within the paper visible when held to light. These threads may contain text or identifiers difficult to counterfeit. A void pantograph reveals “VOID” or “UNAUTHORIZED” when photocopied or scanned, deterring reproduction. Some high-security checks may incorporate fluorescent fibers, visible only under ultraviolet (UV) light. Tactile features, like raised printing on bank logos, provide a physical cue difficult for standard printers to mimic.

Identifying Counterfeit Checks

Recognizing a counterfeit check involves visual inspection for irregularities and awareness of suspicious circumstances. Poor print quality, such as blurry images, faded colors, or inconsistent ink, suggests a lack of professional printing. Misspellings or grammatical errors are also red flags.

The absence or poor replication of security features is a significant sign of a fake check. For instance, if microprinting appears as a solid line or no watermark is visible, the check is likely counterfeit. Paper quality can be revealing; genuine checks are printed on thick, high-quality stock, while fakes might feel too thin, glossy, or unusually smooth.

Discrepancies like a missing check number or unusual routing/account number format can signal fraud. Verify the routing number corresponds to the bank named on the check and that the bank exists. Beyond visual cues, contextual red flags often accompany counterfeit check schemes. A check amount that seems “too good to be true” or is significantly more than expected should raise suspicion.

Overpayment scams, where you deposit a check for more than owed and wire back the difference, are prevalent. Checks arriving unexpectedly, from unknown senders, or with pressure to cash them quickly are also indicators of a scam.

Actions to Take When a Check is Suspect

If you suspect a check is counterfeit, immediate action is important to protect yourself. Avoid attempting to cash or deposit the check. Depositing a fraudulent check can lead to your account being debited for the full amount once identified as fake, potentially incurring fees or a negative balance.

Contact the bank the check is drawn on directly, using their official phone number from their verified website. Explain your concerns and ask the bank to verify the check’s authenticity, providing details like the check number, date, and amount.

Reporting suspected fraud to authorities is crucial. You can file a complaint with:
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through IdentityTheft.gov.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) if the check was received through mail.
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), a division of the FBI, for online schemes.

Retain the suspicious check, without endorsing it, along with any related communications, as evidence. Focus on verifying the check’s legitimacy through official channels and reporting the incident.