How to Tell If a Bank Check Is Good

Even bank cashier's checks can be risky to cash or deposit into a banking account because of modern technology. There have been a number of scammers who create fake business, personal and even bank cashier's checks in hope of gaining money or services. While counterfeit or stolen checks may look like the real deal, there are ways to minimize your risk of cashing or depositing a phony check besides simply waiting to see if the funds will clear.

Instructions

1. Consider how well you know the person who wrote you the check. It is far less likely that someone in your community would issue a fake check because of how quickly the authorities could locate the writer and pursue criminal charges against him or her. Most fake checks tend to come from people in other states or countries purchasing goods online.

2. Look closely at the check. Does it appear too smooth, as if it were printed on a home computer rather than by a bank or affiliated checkbook publisher? This may be a sign that the check is not good.

3. Verify the bank's name, address, and telephone number using your own independent research such as directory assistance. Do not trust the address and phone number printed on unknown checks, as these could simply be a means to directly contact the scammer posing as an authentic bank employee. If possible, visit a branch of the bank in your local community.

4. Call the bank of origin to ask if the check is valid. They will not tell you the check writer's account balance, but will usually inform you if the check might be fraudulent.

5. Deposit the check, but do not spend the funds or send any merchandise until the funds clear your bank. It could take as long as three weeks to be certain that the check will not later be returned as fake.

Tips & Warnings

• The best way to receive money from strangers is through United States Postal Service money orders. These are much less susceptible to fraud and can be cashed at any post office location.

• Do not call numbers on the check to verify legitimacy. Find the bank's telephone number yourself.