Learn the telltale signs of fake checks before they impact your business.
Checks with round or unusually high amounts—especially from unknown customers—can be a red flag. Fraudsters often try to pass large amounts quickly to avoid detection.
Authentic checks have crisp, professional printing. If you see blurry logos, misaligned text, or low-resolution bank details, it may be a sign of forgery or desktop printing.
Watch for checks with missing account numbers, blank fields, or hand-written edits. Legitimate checks rarely have visible corrections or altered routing/account info.
Inconsistent fonts or layout formatting are common in fake checks. If the fonts differ across sections (e.g., payee vs. signature), it's worth taking a second look.
Check numbers that are very low (like 001) or don’t align with a customer's past checks can indicate that a new or suspicious account is being used.
Be wary of checks dated too far in the past or future. Fraudsters sometimes backdate checks to avoid detection systems or postdate to delay return processing.
If the bank name doesn't match the routing number, or the routing number is from a different region than the issuer, that's a major red flag. Validate routing info whenever possible.
If a customer is evasive, rushes the transaction, or provides inconsistent ID details, pair those behaviors with the check’s red flags before making a decision.
Spotting a fraudulent check isn’t always easy, but being aware of these red flags helps retailers prevent costly errors. Always validate check details using a fraud prevention system before proceeding with a transaction.
We equip check cashers and retailers with fraud detection tools that identify risk before a bad check enters your system.