How to Verify a Check Before Depositing (2024)

It’s possible to verify a check before you try to deposit it at your bank, and it’s wise to do so with any checks you have doubts about—especially large ones. You'll want to make sure a check is valid and the writer has sufficient funds available before you deposit it, or else it can bounce. If that happens, you’ll pay fees to your bank—and likely won't get the money you're owed.

Here's everything you need to know about check verification, including how to spot a fake check and tips to help prevent receiving a bad check in the first place.

Key Takeaways

  • Before depositing a check, look for signs of a scam or indications the check is fake.
  • Try to contact the bank that the check is drawn on and ask to verify the funds.
  • Businesses can use professional check verification services to spot potential bad checks.
  • Always check IDs when customers pay by check.

What to Watch For

You may never know for certain if a check is good, but you can gather some good information to help you decide what to do with that check.

There are a few items you can look into:

  1. Where/whom did the check come from?
  2. Does thechecking accounthave funds available?
  3. Does the check show signs of being a fake document?
  4. Does the person who gave it to you make a habit of bouncing checks?

Consider Where the Check Came From

Before verifying anything else, you can learn a lot by examining where the check came from and who gave it to you. If the person contacted you out of the blue to send you a check, then there's a good chance they're a scammer and the check is fake.

If someone tells you that you won a prize, lottery, or sweepstakes and that they're going to send you a check, then that's a huge red flag. In addition, if you had to pay money to receive the check, or if the person sending it to you asks you to send part of it back to them, then it's a sure sign of a scam.

How to Verify Funds

If you’re holding onto a suspicious check, you can try to verify the funds in the account. To do so, contact the bank that the check is drawn on and ask to verify funds. Some banks, in the interest of privacy, will only tell you whether or not the account is valid, or they will not provide any information at all.

Others may be able to tell you if there iscurrentlyenough money in the account to cover the check. Of course, that information is only a snapshot of what’savailable in the account at the moment you check. The account holder could withdraw funds, or other charges could hit the account after you hang up. If you’reable to verify fundsand you know that the check is good, then deposit the check immediately.

If you can’t verify funds (or if you want to be especially cautious), take the check to a branch of the bank. You might be able tocash the check there instantly without depositing it—which eliminates the chance of the check bouncing. Some banks may charge a fee for this, and not all banks do it. You may also be able to cash a check at a retailer or check-cashing store for a fee (and those companies are usually able to verify checks as well).

How to Spot a Fake Check

Even if the account has funds available, you may have been paid with a fake check. With today’s technology, it’s easy to copy arealcheck and print a genuine-looking (but fake) check.

Inspect every check you receive:

  • Make sure the check is issued by a legitimate bank and doesn't have a fake bank name. If the check includes the bank's number and address, then make sure it is correct.
  • Look for check security features, such as microprinting on the signature line, a security screen on theback of the check, and the words “original document” on the back of the check.
  • Review the amount of the check. Scammers often write them for more than the original amount that was intended.
  • Make sure there aren't any smudges or discoloration, which can indicate that the check was altered.

If you have any doubts, then don’t accept the payment.

Note

Sophisticated con artists can always buy genuine check stock (the security paper that checks are printed on) and use somebody else’s account number.

For Businesses: A Database of Bad Checks

If you run a business, you might accept checks and regularly have to wonder if those checks are any good. Verifying funds can be time-consuming, and it might not be possible to do so while customers are waiting in line.

The best way to protect yourself is to use a check verification service. Those services help you identify bad checks by checking several databasesbeforeyou accept the check as payment (you run the check through a check reader or punch in therouting and account number online).

Note

Check verification services are only available to merchants and businesses.

Check verification services have lists of people who routinely bounce checks, and they can also (sometimes) tell if an account has been closed. For an extra fee, some services even guarantee the payment: If the check bounces they’ll pay you so you don’t have to eat the loss. If that’s more than you need, a good set of rules can help you and your staff avoid taking bad checks.

Check IDs When Accepting Checks

Be prepared by getting contact information from everybody who pays by check. Verify that you have a current phone number and address, and check their identification to be sure everything matches.

Check local laws to find out what recourse you have when checks bounce. If you run a business, it may be worth posting a notice that informs customers of actions you intend to take when checks are returned.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What happens if you deposit a fake check?

If you deposit a fake check, it will be returned due to fraud. However, that can sometimes take weeks to discover. If you've already spent the money, then you'll owe it back to the bank.

What should I do if I discover that I deposited a fake check?

If you deposited a fake check, do not spend any of the money. Contact your bank about the issue immediately. There may be additional fraud involved, and you might need to put an alert on your account or even change accounts. Alert the agencies listed below, and keep a close eye on your credit reports for any signs of suspicious activity.

How do I report check fraud?

If you think you're a victim of check fraud or any type of check scam, contact one of the following agencies:

How to Verify a Check Before Depositing (2024)
Top Articles
What Is a Margin Rate and How Does it Work?
Converting .bin Files to PDF: A Step-by-Step Guide
Is Sam's Club Plus worth it? What to know about the premium warehouse membership before you sign up
Cold Air Intake - High-flow, Roto-mold Tube - TOYOTA TACOMA V6-4.0
Craigslist Niles Ohio
Wizard Build Season 28
Readyset Ochsner.org
Apex Rank Leaderboard
Elden Ring Dex/Int Build
Atrium Shift Select
Skip The Games Norfolk Virginia
Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Buys Shares of 798,472 AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS)
Elizabethtown Mesothelioma Legal Question
Missing 2023 Showtimes Near Landmark Cinemas Peoria
Sony E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE Review
Gino Jennings Live Stream Today
Munich residents spend the most online for food
Tamilrockers Movies 2023 Download
Katherine Croan Ewald
Diamond Piers Menards
The Ultimate Style Guide To Casual Dress Code For Women
Site : Storagealamogordo.com Easy Call
Is Windbound Multiplayer
Filthy Rich Boys (Rich Boys Of Burberry Prep #1) - C.M. Stunich [PDF] | Online Book Share
Integer Division Matlab
Sandals Travel Agent Login
Horn Rank
Ltg Speech Copy Paste
Random Bibleizer
Craigslist Fort Smith Ar Personals
The Clapping Song Lyrics by Belle Stars
Poe T4 Aisling
R/Sandiego
Kempsville Recreation Center Pool Schedule
Rogold Extension
Beaver Saddle Ark
Log in or sign up to view
A Man Called Otto Showtimes Near Amc Muncie 12
Powerspec G512
Saybyebugs At Walmart
2007 Jaguar XK Low Miles for sale - Palm Desert, CA - craigslist
Miami Vice turns 40: A look back at the iconic series
Love Words Starting with P (With Definition)
Tlc Africa Deaths 2021
Youravon Com Mi Cuenta
Nope 123Movies Full
Kushfly Promo Code
Diario Las Americas Rentas Hialeah
Game Akin To Bingo Nyt
Marion City Wide Garage Sale 2023
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Eusebia Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 6458

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Eusebia Nader

Birthday: 1994-11-11

Address: Apt. 721 977 Ebert Meadows, Jereville, GA 73618-6603

Phone: +2316203969400

Job: International Farming Consultant

Hobby: Reading, Photography, Shooting, Singing, Magic, Kayaking, Mushroom hunting

Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.