Verify the check is real before you hand it over
Before you cash a check, spend two minutes checking that it is genuine and that the amount is correct. A fake check can look convincing, but cashing one leaves you responsible for the full amount — even if the bank catches the fraud days or weeks later. The person who deposited it is on the hook, not the check writer.
Start by looking at the physical check itself. The paper should feel slightly textured and substantial, not thin or glossy. Real checks have security features built into the paper: a watermark you can see when you hold it to light, colored fibers embedded throughout, and sometimes a security strip along the edge. If the check feels like regular printer paper, that is a red flag.
Next, read every line carefully. The routing number (nine digits on the bottom left), account number (next set of digits), and check number (top right) should all be printed clearly and aligned straight. Handwritten amounts should match the written-out amount in words. If the numbers do not line up or the writing looks shaky and inconsistent, do not cash it.
Key Takeaways
- Real checks have textured paper with security features like watermarks and embedded fibers; fake checks often feel like regular printer paper.
- The routing number, account number, and check number should be printed clearly and aligned straight, not smudged or crooked.
- The numeric amount and the written-out amount must match exactly, and both should be in the same handwriting if either is handwritten.
- Call the bank listed on the check using the number on the back or from a bank directory, never a number written on the check itself.
- If you cash a fake check, you are responsible for repaying the full amount to your bank, even if you already spent the money.
Check the bank and account holder information
Look at the top left corner of the check. It should show a bank name, a routing number, and an address. The bank name should be a real bank you can look up — not something generic like "First Bank" or "Main Street Bank" unless you can confirm it is legitimate. Search the bank name online or call their main number to verify the routing number matches.
The check should be signed by the person or business whose name appears at the top. If the check is from your employer, the signature should match the person who usually signs payroll checks. If it is from a customer or client, verify the signature looks like theirs. A signature that is printed, stamped, or looks nothing like the person's usual signature is suspicious.
Pay attention to the payee line — the "Pay to the Order of" section. Your name should be spelled correctly and match your ID. If the check is made out to a different name or a business name that is not yours, you cannot cash it legally. Some banks will not cash a check made out to someone else even if that person signs the back.
Confirm the amount and date
The numeric amount (in the box on the right) and the written-out amount (in words on the line below the payee) must match exactly. If they do not, the check is either a mistake or a fraud attempt. Do not assume the larger amount is correct — banks follow the written-out amount if there is a discrepancy, but the safest move is to ask the check writer to issue a corrected check.
Check the date. A check is typically valid for six months from the date written, though some banks honor older checks and some refuse them. A check dated in the future (post-dated) cannot be cashed until that date arrives. If the date is more than six months old, contact the check writer and ask for a new check rather than risk the bank refusing it.
Call the bank to verify before cashing
For any check over a certain amount — most people use $500 or $1,000 as a threshold — call the bank to verify the account has funds. Use the phone number on the back of the check or look up the bank's main number yourself. Never call a number written on the check itself, as that could be a scammer's line.
Tell the bank you have a check and want to verify it is legitimate. Provide the routing number, account number, and check number. The bank can confirm whether the account exists and is in good standing. They may not tell you the exact balance, but they can tell you whether the account is active and whether there are any fraud alerts on it.
If the bank says the account does not exist, the routing number is wrong, or there is a fraud alert, do not cash the check. Contact the person who gave you the check and ask for clarification. If they cannot explain the problem, return the check and decline to do business with them.
Watch for common fraud patterns
Overpayment scams are common: someone sends you a check for more than the agreed amount, then asks you to wire back the difference. By the time the check bounces, you have already sent your own money. Never cash a check for more than expected and send money back.
Checks from unknown sources that arrive unexpectedly — prize winnings, tax refunds, job offers — are often fraudulent. Legitimate employers, government agencies, and contest organizers do not send checks to people who have not applied or interviewed. If you did not expect the check, verify it before cashing.
Checks with printing errors, smudges, or misaligned numbers are red flags. Real checks are printed by banks or check printing companies with high-quality equipment. A check that looks like it came from a home printer should not be cashed.
What happens if you cash a fake check
If you deposit or cash a fake check, your bank will eventually discover it — sometimes within days, sometimes within weeks. When they do, they will reverse the deposit and charge your account for the full amount. If you have already spent the money, you will owe your bank that amount.
Your bank may also close your account and report you to ChexSystems, a banking history database. This can make it difficult to open a new account at other banks for several years. Banks treat depositing a fake check as a red flag for account holder risk, even if you did not know the check was fraudulent.
If you knowingly cash a fake check, you can face criminal charges for fraud or forgery. Even if you did not write the check yourself, depositing it is illegal. Always verify before you cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check made out to someone else if they sign the back?
It depends on the bank and the amount. Some banks allow third-party check deposits if the original payee endorses the check on the back. Others refuse them entirely due to fraud risk. Call your bank before you try to deposit a check made out to someone else. The safest option is to ask the check writer to issue a new check in your name.
What should I do if I already cashed a fake check?
Contact your bank immediately and tell them you deposited a fraudulent check. They will reverse the transaction and may investigate. Be honest about where the check came from. If someone scammed you, report it to your local police department and the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
How long does a bank take to discover a fake check?
Banks typically discover fake checks within two to five business days, though it can take longer depending on the bank's processing speed and the check amount. Some fraudulent checks are not caught for weeks. Do not assume a check is legitimate just because it cleared — the bank can still reverse it later.
Is it safe to cash a check at a check-cashing store instead of a bank?
Check-cashing stores perform some verification but less than banks do. They may catch obvious fakes, but they are not connected to the banking system the way banks are. If you use a check-cashing store, do the same verification steps yourself: check the paper quality, call the bank, and verify the amount. You are still responsible if the check is fake.
What if the check is from my employer but looks wrong?
Contact your employer's payroll department directly — not a number on the check — and ask them to verify the check is legitimate. Scammers sometimes create fake payroll checks. Your employer can tell you whether they issued it and whether the amount is correct.