Printed on poor quality or slippery paper.

This might occur because a scammer altered the check or erased something. Stains or discolorations on the checkĪ common sign of a fake check is the presence of stains or discolorations. Thus, genuine checks usually don’t carry notations such as these.

The memo area should not contain words like “payroll” or “dividends.” If you are dealing with a legitimate financial institution, it has separate accounts for expense categories. You might have a fake or cashier’s check if the numbers are shiny. Also, the numbers in the MICR line should be flat and not reflective. The MICR line can sometimes have unusual characteristics. Odd magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) lines If what you see there doesn’t match the name of the bank on the check, it may be a fake. Try searching for the routing number from the MICR line on the Federal Reserve Bank Services website. The routing number is the nine-digit number printed within the MICR line at the bottom of the check. the location of the bankįraudulent checks often display routing codes that don’t match the bank name shown on the check. 🛡️ Take action: Protect your finances and personal information with one simple identity theft solution. Watch for check numbers in the low three digits for personal checks and in the low four digits for business checks. 90% of bad checks are written from checking accounts less than one year old, so this could be a red flag. While a low check number does not necessarily mean that a check is fraudulent, it indicates a new check-writing entity. If the MICR line doesn’t match the check number, the check is likely fake. This line contains the account number, the routing number, and then the check number. If you see a check number on your check, compare it against the number in the MICR line. Watch for checks that have the number displayed elsewhere. If a check is legitimate, it should have a check number displayed in the top right-hand corner of the check. Always examine canceled checks out of sequence as well as duplicate check numbers. In this case, a newer check might have a lower check number than an older one. Other times, you might find that the check numbers are out of order. Check numbers can sometimes be missing, or they may not change from one check to the next. Ensure that your checks don’t have these problems: In some cases, fraudulent checks might have irregularities in their check numbers.

These checks may have micro-perforations that can be difficult to find. Scammers are increasingly using their own printers with MICR capability to produce their own checks. Ī lack of perforations and rough edges could indicate a fake. Genuine checks are generally perforated and have at least one rough edge. Irregular perforations (or micro-perforations)Įxamine the sides of your check to see if there are any rough edges. Odd magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) linesġ.While there are many ways to fabricate a fake check, there are just as many warning signs of counterfeit checks. Scammers then increase the amount payable by hundreds or thousands of dollars before cashing the check. For instance, they might add account and routing numbers and a credit union or bank logo.Īnother clever scheme known as “check washing” uses chemicals such as bleach, carpet cleaner, or nail polish remover to erase the ink on the check. In others, they might use a check template and fill in the relevant details. In some cases, scammers may create a brand-new check. With access to sophisticated printing technologies, scammers can create fraudulent checks that appear legitimate at first glance. What Are the Signs of Fake Check Scams?įake checks are common bank scams that may also employ advanced counterfeiting methods. There are, however, specific signs to look out for that can help identify them. And there were nearly just as many opportunities for scammers to ensnare unsuspecting victims.įake checks can be difficult to distinguish from real ones. The woman was left disconsolate - and with a negative bank balance.ĭespite the decline in the use of paper checks, there were still 14.5 billion check payments made in 2018. īut the check was fake, and the bank later reversed the transaction. The instructions were as plain as day - spend $1,000 on a work computer and transfer $900 via Zelle. As she sifted through her mail, a California woman came across an unexpected check for $1,900. Scammers might send fake checks for many reasons, but it ultimately comes down to mercenary motives.

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