How to Detect Fraudulent Checks
- 1). Look for the check number. There should be a check number on the check. If not, you should be wary of accepting the check. Also, look to see if the check number is low. Oftentimes, on a personal account, this would mean numbers such as 101, and on a business account it might be 1001. Almost 90% of fraudulent checks are written out of accounts that are less than one year old (Reference 1).
- 2). Notice if there are any stains or discolorations on the check. Any marks such as these could indicate that the check writer was trying to cover up something or alter something.
- 3). Make sure that the coding on the bottom of the check matches the check number. After the routing and account number on the check, the check number should be listed.
- 4). Notice if the font on the check looks the same. If the font of the payee makes it appear that it was written by a typewriter, it could be a fraudulent check. Most checks are printed by a computer and the font will be the same on the entire check.
- 5). Check for perforations on the check. Most checks except for government checks, counter checks and temporary checks will be torn from a check stub, which will leave perforations.
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