What to Do If You Receive a Fake Check

Quick answer

• Do not deposit or cash the check.
• Contact the issuer or the financial institution it appears to be drawn on.
• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
• Be wary of any request to wire money back or pay a fee.
• Understand that you are responsible for any funds debited from your account.
• Protect your personal information from identity theft.

Who this is for

• Individuals who have received a check they suspect might be fraudulent.
• People who have been asked to deposit a check and send a portion of the money back.
• Anyone concerned about potential financial scams involving fake checks.

What to check first (before you act)

The Check Itself

Carefully examine the check for any inconsistencies or red flags. Look for misspellings, unusual fonts, incorrect bank routing numbers, or missing security features. Compare it to legitimate checks you may have received from known sources. If it looks “off” in any way, it’s a strong indicator of a potential scam.

The Sender’s Identity

Try to verify the legitimacy of the person or company who sent the check. If it’s from an employer, contact their HR department. If it’s from a business, visit their official website (not one provided in an unsolicited email) or call their known customer service number. Be extremely cautious if the sender is an individual you’ve only interacted with online or through unsolicited communications.

The “Deal” or Offer

Consider the circumstances under which you received the check. Was it part of a job offer, a lottery win, a sweepstakes, or an online purchase? Scammers often use fake checks as part of a “mystery shopper” scam, a work-from-home scheme, or to trick you into sending them money for a non-existent product or service. If the offer seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is.

Step-by-step (simple workflow)

Step 1: Do Not Deposit or Cash the Check

What to do: Resist the urge to deposit the check into your bank account or cash it at a check-cashing service. This is the most critical first step.
What “good” looks like: The check remains physically in your possession, unused.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Believing the check is real because it looks official or the bank teller initially accepts it. Avoid this by remembering that banks often flag fake checks during processing, not at the point of deposit, and you can be held responsible for any funds withdrawn.

Step 2: Examine the Check Closely

What to do: Look for any signs of forgery or alteration. Check the payee name, the amount written in words and numbers, the date, the signature, and the bank’s name and address.
What “good” looks like: You’ve identified potential discrepancies like misspellings, smudged ink, or an unusual layout.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Overlooking small details. Avoid this by comparing the check to a known legitimate check from a similar source, if possible.

Step 3: Verify the Source of the Check

What to do: If the check is supposedly from a company or organization, find their official contact information through a separate, trusted source (e.g., their official website, not information on the check itself or in the accompanying communication) and contact them directly.
What “good” looks like: You’ve confirmed that the company or individual did not issue the check or authorize its creation.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Contacting the sender using the phone number or email provided on the check or in the scammer’s communication. Always use independently verified contact information.

Step 4: Do Not Respond to Further Requests for Money

What to do: If the sender asks you to send them money for any reason (e.g., to cover taxes, fees, shipping, or to “confirm” your identity), do not do it.
What “good” looks like: You have refused all requests for payment and have not sent any money.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Feeling pressured or obligated to send money because you’ve already received the check. Avoid this by understanding that legitimate organizations do not operate this way.

Step 5: Contact Your Bank (If You Accidentally Deposited It)

What to do: If you have already deposited the check, contact your bank immediately to inform them.
What “good” looks like: Your bank is aware of the situation, and they have initiated their fraud investigation process.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Waiting to see if the check clears. This can lead to overdraft fees and further complications. Act fast.

Step 6: Report the Scam to the FTC

What to do: File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
What “good” looks like: You have submitted a detailed report of the scam.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Assuming that reporting it won’t make a difference. Your report helps the FTC track scams and warn others.

Step 7: Report to Other Agencies (If Applicable)

What to do: Depending on the nature of the scam, you may also want to report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (if mailed) or your state’s Attorney General’s office.
What “good” looks like: You’ve filed reports with relevant consumer protection agencies.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Only reporting to one agency. Multiple reports can increase awareness and aid investigations.

Step 8: Monitor Your Financial Accounts

What to do: Keep a close eye on your bank statements and credit reports for any unauthorized activity.
What “good” looks like: You are proactively monitoring your accounts and can quickly identify and dispute any fraudulent transactions.
A common mistake and how to avoid it: Becoming complacent after reporting the scam. Scammers may still attempt to use your information.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Depositing or cashing the fake check	Funds debited from your account, overdraft fees, potential legal trouble.	Do not deposit or cash it. If accidentally deposited, contact your bank immediately.
Sending money back to the scammer	Financial loss of the money sent, plus the original amount of the fake check.	Never send money to the sender of a fake check. Legitimate transactions do not require you to send funds back.
Believing the check is real because it looks official	Falling victim to further stages of the scam, including larger financial losses.	Scammers are skilled at creating convincing fakes. Always verify the source independently.
Not contacting your bank immediately	Increased fees, difficulty recovering funds, potential damage to your credit.	If you’ve deposited the check, call your bank within 24 hours to report it.
Sharing personal information	Identity theft, unauthorized account openings, and further financial fraud.	Never share your Social Security number, bank account details, or other sensitive information with unsolicited contacts.
Ignoring the scam after reporting it	Continued risk of fraud, potential for repeat victimization.	Continue to monitor your financial accounts and credit reports for any suspicious activity. Be vigilant.
Assuming the bank will cover all losses	You may be held responsible for funds withdrawn before the fake check is flagged.	Understand that while banks investigate, you could be liable for the amount. Proactive reporting is key.
Not reporting the scam to authorities	The scammer continues to operate and victimize others.	Report the scam to the FTC and relevant agencies to help combat fraudulent activities.
Falling for the “overpayment” trick	Losing the amount you wired back, plus the fake check amount.	If a check is for more than expected, and they ask you to return the difference, it’s a scam. Decline to send any money back.
Trusting unsolicited communication	Opening the door to a wide range of scams, including fake checks.	Be skeptical of unexpected emails, calls, or mail. Verify any offers through official channels.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If you receive a check unexpectedly, then do not deposit it because it could be a scam.
• If a check is for more than the agreed-upon amount and the sender asks for the difference back, then it is a scam because this is a common overpayment fraud tactic.
• If you are asked to pay a fee to “release” funds from a check, then do not pay because legitimate payments do not require upfront fees.
• If the check has spelling errors or looks poorly printed, then it is likely fake because legitimate checks have high printing standards.
• If the sender claims you won a lottery or sweepstakes you never entered, then it is a scam because legitimate winnings are not awarded without prior entry.
• If you are asked to buy gift cards or wire money to cover “taxes” or “processing fees,” then refuse because this is a hallmark of many fraud schemes.
• If you deposited a check and it bounced or was flagged as fraudulent, then contact your bank immediately to report the issue and understand your liability.
• If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a check, then err on the side of caution and do not deposit it until you have independently verified its authenticity.
• If a job offer involves depositing a check and then wiring money or purchasing items, then it is a scam because legitimate employers do not use this method for payment.
• If you receive a check from someone you don’t know and they ask for personal information, then do not provide it because this could lead to identity theft.
• If a check is from a government agency and it seems unusual, then contact the agency directly using official contact information to verify its authenticity.

FAQ

Q: How do I know if a check is fake?

A: Look for inconsistencies like misspellings, poor print quality, unusual bank routing numbers, or missing security features. Scammers often use convincing but ultimately fraudulent documents.

Q: What happens if I deposit a fake check?

A: Your bank will eventually discover it’s fake. The funds will be reversed from your account, and you may be responsible for any money you’ve already withdrawn, leading to overdraft fees or debt.

Q: Can the bank catch a fake check when I deposit it?

A: Sometimes, but not always. Banks have fraud detection systems, but fake checks can sometimes pass initial scrutiny and be flagged later during processing, potentially after you’ve withdrawn funds.

Q: Should I call the bank listed on the check?

A: No, do not use the phone number on the check. Scammers can fake bank information. Find the bank’s official contact number independently through a trusted source.

Q: What if the person who sent the check insists it’s real?

A: Be very suspicious. Legitimate senders will not pressure you or become angry if you want to verify the check’s authenticity through official channels.

Q: Is it a scam if they ask me to wire money back?

A: Yes, almost certainly. This is a classic “fake check scam” where the scammer overpays and asks you to wire back the difference, causing you to lose both the wired money and the amount of the fake check.

Q: What should I do if I already sent money back?

A: Contact your bank immediately to see if you can stop the transaction. Also, report the scam to the FTC and your financial institution.

Q: Will I get my money back if I deposit a fake check?

A: It depends. Your bank will investigate, and if the scammer is identified and funds are recovered, you might be reimbursed. However, recovery is not guaranteed, and you could be liable.

Q: What if the check is from a business I’ve ordered from?

A: Even if it’s from a known business, be cautious if the circumstances are unusual. Contact the business directly through their official customer service line or website to verify the payment.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Specific legal recourse for victims of check fraud (consult a legal professional).
• Detailed instructions on how to identify advanced counterfeit security features (contact financial institutions or law enforcement for training).
• How to recover funds from international scams (seek advice from international consumer protection agencies or legal counsel).
• The process of filing criminal charges against a scammer (this is typically handled by law enforcement agencies).