MSB Blog

There are many scams that involve the use of fraudulent checks. They usually goes like this: a scammer sends you a check and asks you to deposit or cash the check and send them funds, typically via a wire. The check comes back as fraudulent and you’re on the hook for the funds.

Fraudulent checks can be hard to identify, not only to the general public. Sometimes they are so convincingly designed they can even be hard to be identified by professionals. However, you can be assured that Monson Savings Bank team members receive extensive training on identifying fraudulent checks to keep you and your money safe.

Monson Savings Bank would like to bring awareness to common scams that involve fraudulent checks as well as common features of fraudulent checks to help keep you from falling victim to a fraudulent check scam.

Common scams involving fraudulent checks

• Someone you do not know asks you to deposit a check for them and send some of the money back to them via a wire, gift cards, PayPal, etc.
• Someone you met on an online dating or a social media site sends you a check and asks you to send some or all of the money back to them after you have deposited the check. Often times they will ask for the money they would like you to return to be wired to them or to send them gift cards.
• You are offered a work from home job, the company claims that they will be sending you a check to purchase the materials you will need for your “new position.” The check is written for way more money than you would need to buy these materials, so you are asked to send back the excess funds.
• Someone writes you a check for more than they owe you, maybe for an online sale, and instead of sending a new check they ask you to deposit the check and send them the extra money.
• You are sent a check for a lottery or raffle prize payout, but you never played in the lottery or entered a raffle.

Common features of a fraudulent check

• All of the edges of the check are smooth. This may be a sign that the check was printed off a home printer, real checks typically have one perforated or jagged edge.
• The paper the check was printed on is thin.
• There is no bank logo on the check, or if there is one, it is faded or warped.
• The text on the check is slanted, warped, or faded.
• The text font is not consistent throughout the check
• The routing number does not match the routing number of the bank the check was issued by.
• The check was issued by a bank located far away from where the person who wrote you the check lives.

Tips to avoid fraudulent check scams

• Do try to determine if the check is legitimate based on how the check looks. Criminals are using advanced technology to create fake checks.
• If you suspect a check to be fake, try calling the bank the check was issued by to verify it.
• Do not respond to online solicitations for quick and easy ways to make some extra money, even if it from someone you are friends with on a social media site.
• Do not just wait for the funds to “clear,” federal law require banks to make deposited fund available quickly. Being able to withdraw the funds is not necessarily a sign that the check was good.
• Talk to your banker about your checks. Tell them where the check is from, why it was sent to you, and let them know if you are being asked to send money back.
• Be aware that even cashier’s checks, teller checks, and money orders can be fraudulent.

What to do if you have been given a fraudulent check

Contact your bank and make them aware of the situation. Additionally, report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Monson Savings Bank wants to protect you from fraudulent checks and other scams. We are always happy to help you determine if your check is legitimate and share tips to keep you safe from scammers.

To learn more about money scams, visit our blog for more articles on Safety and Security.