How to Spot a Fake Check Before It's Too Late
Why Fake Check Scams Are on the Rise
In the times of digitization, paper checks still exist. And, you’ll be surprised to find they’re still the major source of money transfer across individuals and businesses across the world. However, it’s very unfortunate they’re the most exploited ones too.
According to a Consumer Federation of America survey, “ nearly one-third of US adults (30%) had been approached with some form of fake check scam, potentially affecting at least 1.3 million people.”
Whether it’s a fake job offer, surprise sweepstake win, or a payment from a buyer on Craigslist—scammers are continuously coming up with new ways to deceive.
The worst part?
The victims are often held responsible for the fraudulent amount. This is what makes it essential for you to understand how to spot a fake check before you deposit to avoid any issues.
10 Red Flags That Signal a Fake Check
Even the most convincing check can be a scam in disguise. Here are the most critical warning signs that the check in your hand might be fake:
1. Your check amount is higher than the expected amount
If someone sends you more money than you requested or overpays for a product or service—it’s a huge red flag. In this case, scammers can trick you into sending back the “extra” amount before the check bounces.
2. You’re Asked to Send Money Back
Most scammers ask you to return the extra cash via wire transfer, gift card, or through payment apps like Venmo or Zello. Once you send the money, and your check bounces, you’ll be left covering the cost.
3. The Check Comes with Instructions
Usually legitimate checks don’t come with any instructions. However, if you receive an instructional letter along with the check, be extremely cautious.
4. Sender Pressures You to Act Fast
If your sender pressurizes you to submit your check within 12 hours or says the funds must be moved immediately, it’s a huge red flag. You need to understand that most real transactions don’t require same day decisions.
5. It’s from a Source You Weren’t Expecting
If you receive a check from a company, a lottery ticket you didn’t apply to or the people you never interacted with, it’s a red flag. Verify your check carefully before submitting it to the bank.
6. Poor Spelling, Grammar, or Layout
If there are any typos, inconsistent fonts, or awkward formatting in your check, it’s a red flag. nal fraud.
7. The Bank’s Logo or Address Looks Off
If the logo and address on your check seems outdated, pixelated, or poorly aligned, your check is fake.
8. Unusual Check Design or Numbers
Look for the check’s layout, serial numbers, and MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) line at the bottom. If anything looks misaligned, too faint, or too bold, it could be forged.
9. Check Was Delivered in a Sketchy Way
If you receive your check via unmarked employee, overnight courier, or through a third-party service provider, be careful.
10. The Check “Clears” Too Fast or Bounces Later
A fake check may appear to clear in your account in 1–2 days, giving you false confidence. But when your bank verifies it a few days later, it can bounce—and you’re on the hook for the full amount.
How to Check If a Check Is Real or Fake?
Before you submit any check to the bank or any financial service provider, make sure to follow these steps to verify its authenticity:
- Inspect the Check Quality – Real checks are printed on a certain type of thick paper, and the fonts and spacing of letters and numbers is consistent on every check. So, if your check copy looks like a photocopy, has inconsistent letters, or the smudgy ink, it’s likely your check is fake.
- Look for Security Features – This includes looking for watermarks, shifting color ink, and micro printing. Hold your check up to light to spot these features and find inconsistencies (if any present.)
- Verify the Issuing Bank – Call the issuing bank and verify from them whether the check was issued and the account is valid. Make sure to get the bank’s number from their official website, not the one mentioned over check.
- Check the Routing Number – You can use the ABA routing number lookup tool to verify whether the routing number on the check matches the bank and location listed.
- Compare with Previous Checks – In this case, compare the details like layout, font, and logo with the legitimate checks you’ve received from the same vendor in the past.
What to Do If You Suspect a Fake Check
If your instincts tell you that your check might be fake, here are a few things you should do immediately:
- Don’t deposit the check in the bank. If you do it your bank may hold you liable for the withdrawn money.
- Stop all communication with the check sender and report them.
Steps to Take If You Already Deposited a Fake Check
If you’ve unknowingly deposited a counterfeit check, don’t panic—but act quickly.
- Notify Your Bank Immediately – Let your bank know immediately if you have submitted the counterfeit check to put a hold on the funds.
- Don’t Spend the Money – If the money shows up in your account, try not to spend it as the money might not be real. Also, your account could go negative if the check bounces.
- File a Fraud Report – The next step is to inform the local law enforcement and file a complaint with the FTC. Make sure to keep the copies of all communications.
- Monitor Your Account Closely – Monitor your account regularly and stay alerted for suspicious activities. You can also activate fraud alerts or freeze your credit.
- Educate Yourself and Others – Share your experience with your loved ones and colleagues to avoid the same mistake in the future.
How Cheque Express Helps You Stay Protected
So, next time if you believe your check might be fake and don’t want to be a victim of a scam, make sure to visit Cheque Express. Here’s how we can help you prevent fake check fraud:
✅ Real-Time Verification: We validate your checks before deposit using our secure platform.
✅ Bank Authentication Tools: We use our built-in tools to verify issuing bank and account status mentioned on the check. (Remove this bullet point)
✅ Customer Alerts: If we notice any suspicious check activity or irregular patterns, we will notify you immediately.
Whether you’re a freelancer, artist, or small business owner, Cheque Express can always help you with instant cashing services and keeps your money safe.
Conclusion
Fake check scams are more common in the US than you think. Scammers play on your trust and urgency but with proper knowledge you can prevent these sorts of scams. So, if in the future, someone hands you a check make sure to verify it thoroughly.
Looking for a financial service provider who can protect your money, protect your identity, and stay one step ahead to avoid scams? Look no further, and contact Cheque Express today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Banks often release funds within 1–2 days, but it can take weeks to verify if a check is real. If it’s fake, you’ll be held responsible.
You may have to repay the entire amount and could face legal trouble if the scam is linked to fraudulent activity.
It may take up to two weeks for a bank to confirm a check is counterfeit.
Not always. Scammers also fake cashier’s checks and money orders. Verify with the issuing bank before trusting them.
If it was an honest mistake and you report it promptly, it’s unlikely. However, willful participation in a scam could have legal consequences.
You can report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, or your local law enforcement.
