Tips for Consumers to Spot a Fake Check

Typically, when individuals or businesses write checks, they are torn out of a book. Perforated edges help check writers easily remove the check. In that case, at least one edge of the check should be perforated or feel rough to the touch. If all four edges of a paper check are smooth, there's a likely chance the check is bogus.

A legitimate check features the issuing bank's logo on the front. If there's no bank logo on a check you've received, it's likely to be a fake. If there is a logo, check it against the bank's logo on its website to ensure its identical.

The quality of the printing counts, too. If the logo appears faded, it could have been scanned from a real check or taken from an online source.

Sometimes, checks also feature a bank's address next to the logo. If your check has an address, you can verify online to see if it uses the correct location for a bank branch office. If not, the check is likely fake.

Every legitimate check includes the Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) line. This line consists of three sets of printed digital characters at the bottom of the check. The characters include the bank's routing number, the number of the account from which the check is written, and the check number, as well as two printed Transit Symbols that work with the bank's check-reading device.

The characters on the MICR line are printed with special ink that contains magnetic iron oxide, as mandated by the Federal Reserve. This magnetic ink is dull, not shiny, and the printed characters should be flat. If the MICR line printing appears shiny in the light and/or the characters are raised, the check is a counterfeit.

In addition, if there's no MICR line at the bottom of the check, it's fake.

The check number appears on an authentic check in two places: in the upper-righthand corner and at the end of the MICR line at the bottom. If these numbers don't match up, that's a big "tell" that the check is fraudulent.

In addition, be cautious with checks whose numbers are low. Low numbers would be 101 to 400 for personal checks and 1000 to 1500 for business checks. Low numbers indicate that the account from which the check was written is new. About 90% of fraudulent checks are written from new accounts.

Legitimate checks are written on high-quality, matte (not shiny) paper. If the check is printed on thin, flimsy, shiny paper, it's probably not authentic.

In addition, checks are printed with high-quality indelible ink. To test the ink, put a drop of water on your fingertip and run it across the check's printed surface. If the ink on the check smears or comes off when you touch it, it's probably fake.

 

When examining a check to determine whether it's real or not, it's also worth looking for other general irregularities and mistakes. Look for spelling errors or typos in the printed information on the check, such as a misspelled business name or address. You can also check to make sure that the address of the check's sender matches up with their actual address. If not, the check may likely be fake.

In addition, check that the numerical dollar amount and the written amount on the check match up. Any discrepancy is a good indication that the check is not legitimate.