How to Identify Fake Checks

18 de febrero de 2025

by Christian Phillips

Ways to protect your hard-earned money from scammers.

Check fraud is a global concern, making it essential to safeguard your hard-earned money from scammers. Counterfeit checks can easily slip through the cracks, leaving you vulnerable to financial loss if you fall for their deceitful schemes. Here are practical tips for identifying fake check scams.

Step 1: Are you expecting a check in the mail?
The chances of someone receiving a lottery or sweepstakes prize through the mail are improbable. Scammers want you to act out of impulse. Take a moment and think about the situation because, often enough, consumers will realize the harmful intent. Do not accept checks from unsolicited and unknown sources.

Step 2: Unusual requests
Did the check include a letter requesting repayment via money transfer apps, wire transfers, prepaid cards, or money orders? Legitimate lottery, prize-winnings, or jobs will not ask this.

Step 3: Inspect the check.
Does the check have any of the following?

Missing signature
Missing bank logo
Missing watermarks
Missing padlock icon
Misspelled words

If the following is accurate, do not deposit the check and report the issue to your local police department.

Step 4: Personal details
Does the payee, business, or personal address look familiar? Uncertainties can be resolved by conducting an internet search to help reveal unidentified concerns. Consumers can also use the Better Business Bureau to search for the company name and location via their website.

What to Do With a Fraudulent Check
If you suspect fraud, report lottery, prize-winning, and other fake check scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Consumers should also report the incidents to the following sources:

Your local police department.
The bank you conduct business at.
U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

How to Identify Fake Checks

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