What Does a Bank Draft Look Like and How to Verify It?

A bank draft is a secure payment method, guaranteeing funds from the issuing financial institution. Unlike a personal check, a bank draft ensures the specified amount is available because funds are drawn from the bank’s account after being secured from the purchaser. This makes bank drafts reliable for significant transactions. They mitigate the risk of insufficient funds, providing confidence to the recipient.

Physical Appearance and Security Features

A bank draft is a specialized paper document. It incorporates embedded security features to deter counterfeiting, such as unique watermarks and security threads visible upon inspection. Intricate security borders and patterns are also common.

Security elements enhance authenticity. These include microprinting, which appears as a solid line but is readable with a magnifying glass. Some drafts feature color-shifting ink, changing color when viewed from different angles. Chemical-wash detection areas react to alteration attempts. Each draft bears a unique serial number.

Essential Information on a Bank Draft

A bank draft displays specific data points. The name and logo of the issuing financial institution are prominently featured. The document states “Bank Draft,” “Official Check,” or “Teller’s Check.” The exact monetary value is presented both numerically and in written form.

The draft includes the payee’s name and the remitter’s name. A specific date of issue indicates when the draft was created. Authorized signatures from bank personnel validate the draft. At the bottom, numbers represent the bank’s routing number and a unique account number associated with the draft.

Distinguishing a Bank Draft from Other Payment Methods

Bank drafts differ from personal checks and cashier’s checks primarily in the guarantee of funds. A personal check draws from an individual’s account, risking insufficient funds if the balance is low.

Both bank drafts and cashier’s checks are guaranteed by the issuing bank. For a bank draft, funds are withdrawn from the purchaser’s account and held by the bank, which issues the draft. A cashier’s check is drawn directly from the bank’s funds after the purchaser provides the money. The bank is the payer on a cashier’s check, while a bank draft indicates the original remitter.

Verifying the Authenticity of a Bank Draft

To confirm legitimacy, visually inspect the document for security features. Hold it to a light source for watermarks or security threads. Use a magnifying glass for microprinting. Genuine bank drafts are printed on specialized, textured paper.

Compare all printed information: payee’s name, numerical and written amount, and issuing bank’s name. The most reliable method is contacting the issuing bank directly. Use a publicly verifiable phone number from their official website or a directory, not from the draft itself. The bank can confirm validity using the unique serial number.