How to Identify a Fake Check

For a check to be legitimate ,it must have all the signs of negotiability(meaning that you are able to go into a bank and they will cash the check without questioning you). On the top-left hand side it must have the name and address of the person who gave you the check. Straight across from that is the Check Number. Almost under the CHECK NUMBER should be the DATE and straight across to the left should be the PAY TO THE ORDER OF. This is where they put the name of the person who is receiving the check.

On the next line under the PAY TO THE ORDER OF line, is the LEGAL LINE where the amount of the check is written in words and then straight across written in numbers. Both of these must match in order for the check to be negotiable and the legal line must always be written at all times. A missing legal line can be a sign of a fake check. At the bottom of the check should be the bank's information. It should consist of the routing numbers, account numbers, and check number. Next to that on the right hand should be the signature of the person that gave it to you. On some checks it printed and then signed. On the back of the should be the security features.

There should be a little box with a padlock on it explaining what security features this particular check has. For example some checks have squiggly line from side to side and this is there security mark, others have the word original all over and when you hold it to the light you should be able to see a watermark. Also if any of it's information seems blurry or the check looks like it's been washed, the ink looks like it's running, or the signature looks awkward or rushed or just doesn't look right, these could all be signs of a fake check.

These are just some of the signs and does not necessary mean that a check that follows all these rules will be legitimate, the best way to know for sure is to take the check to the bank that it is drawn from and ask for verification. Also try to know the person who is giving you the check, for example if you just started a new job and don't know the person very well, ask to be paid in a money order or cashier's checks. These will be honored at most banks and the money is meant to be there right away. Another thing to try is, if your job is on the internet, try to get them to pay you through PayPal or other electronic means. You can set up an account in which will be only for this and that won't be linked to any other accounts that you might use on a daily basis. This way the only information they will have will be that particular account.