

Counterfeiting isn’t exclusive to personal or business checks. If a thief has your bank account and routing numbers, they might be able to print counterfeit checks using your information. Depositing a bad check falsely inflates the account balance temporarily, enabling the account holder to withdraw money against nonexistent funds.Ĭounterfeiting: Some fraudsters print checks using check-writing software. You won’t even realize what’s going on because the account is closed, you are no longer receiving statements that would indicate that someone is using your account fraudulently.Ĭheck-kiting : Check-kiting happens when a thief opens accounts at two or more banks to create fraudulent balances and takes advantage of the time it takes for checks to clear. If they have enough of your information, they could reorder checks for that account. They can then empty your account before you even realize a cent is missing because the bank statements will no longer be delivered to your address.Ĭlosed accounts: Thieves who obtain a checkbook can write checks to unsuspecting merchants - even if the account is closed. If someone gets access to your checking and personal information, they could make fraudulent purchases using your checking account.Īccount takeover: A thief who obtains your financial information can change the mailing addresses on your accounts to ones they can access. Online spending, selling and renting: When an online business allows you to pay for a product or service by check, all you need to provide is your bank’s name, routing number, account number and billing address. Here are some ways criminals can engage in scams involving checks:
PERSONAL CHECKBOOK COVERS LICENSE
Clerks or store owners may ask you to write your driver’s license or Social Security number on the front, exposing your details even further. Types of Fake Check ScamsĬhecks have plenty of personal information right on the front, including your name, address, and account and routing numbers.
PERSONAL CHECKBOOK COVERS HOW TO
To avoid these scams, you need to understand how check fraud happens and how to combat it by learning to spot fake personal, certified and cashier’s checks. Common check scams can happen to anyone and don’t end with personal checks, as cashier’s check scams are also prevalent.

See: How To Guard Your Wealth From a Potential Banking Crisis With Gold What Is Check Fraud?Ĭheck fraud or fake check scams work when a thief steals an account number to write fake checks in the account holder’s name and then tries to send the check or cash it fraudulently. Though unfortunate, this type of robbery does exist, but worry not, as the secret to not falling for check fraud is to first be able to recognize what type of scams are out there. In an ideal world, this would always be the case, and any extra money you had wouldn’t be held at the whim of scammers and thieves. When it comes down to it, you need all of your hard-earned cash to go where you intentionally send it or stay exactly where you put it.
