The Tool Desk
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How to verify a check safely
- Pause before depositing or spending the proceeds. Be especially cautious if the check was unexpected, came from someone you do not know, is for more than the agreed amount, or is tied to a job, prize, online sale or request to forward money. These are patterns described in FDIC guidance on fake checks and by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
- Identify the bank named as issuer. If you need help locating it, use the FDIC’s BankFind tool. Finding a real bank does not establish that a particular check was issued by it.
- Find the bank’s contact information independently. Use its official website or another trusted directory—not the number printed on the check or details supplied by the sender. As the FDIC cautions, a number printed on a counterfeit check could be controlled by the scammer.
- Ask the issuing bank whether it can verify the check. Have the check number, issuance date, amount and payee ready, along with any other details the bank requests. The bank may have limits on what it can disclose or require a particular process; a phone inquiry is not guaranteed to identify every counterfeit.
- If the answer is inconclusive, stop and contact your own bank. Ask what it recommends. Do not return money, wire funds, buy gift cards or forward proceeds while authenticity remains uncertain.
- If you already deposited it, contact your bank promptly. Explain how you received the check and what the sender asked you to do. Preserve the check and relevant messages. If it came by mail, you can report suspected check fraud to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the FDIC also identifies state or local consumer-protection agencies and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center for relevant online crimes.
Why appearance cannot prove a check is real
Paper quality, spelling, logos, watermarks, security threads and magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) details may give you a reason to pause, but no visual inspection is a dependable authentication test. Counterfeiters can copy official-looking features, and even a convincing cashier’s or bank check may be fake. The FDIC says it can be difficult to determine legitimacy just by examining a check.
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There is no detector pen, UV light or other generic accessory established by these consumer authorities as a substitute for asking the purported issuing bank. A check that looks professional is not necessarily valid; one that looks unusual should be checked rather than treated as conclusively fake based on appearance alone.
Red flags that call for extra caution
- An unexpected check from a stranger or an unfamiliar business.
- A check for more than the price or payment you agreed to, with instructions to return the difference.
- Pressure to act quickly or assurances that the check has already “cleared.”
- A request to send money by wire, cash, prepaid or gift card, ACH, or person-to-person transfer.
- A job, prize or online transaction that requires you to deposit a check and pass money on to someone else.
The Postal Inspection Service states: “There is no legitimate reason why anyone would give you a check or money order and ask you to send cash in return.” Treat a request to send money back as a serious warning, not as a routine part of payment.
#1 Best Overall
- Impression Size: The stamped image measures approximately 2 3/16" x 13/16" and is made of deeply etched rubber for maximum clarity.
- Self Inking Stamp: Ideal for rapid printing - no separate ink pad required. For an all-in-one solution, the stamp comes with its own ink pad in a selection of ink colors. For easy identification, the design is placed on top of the stamp.
- Mess-Free Stamping: Simply press and release your stamp onto the surface for a clear, readable impression every time. This vibrant black ink completely saturates the page, eliminating the need to worry about the impression fading or lightening over time.
- Water based Ink: Water based ink, that will dry on paper, card and even non treated wood. Many uses, and ideal for Bank Deposit Stamps
- Easy to Align: The stamp is simple to use, designed like a pre-inked stamp with a handle that makes it easy to use. The clear lower mount allows you to precisely align your stamp impression
Why available funds do not authenticate a check
A deposit can appear in your account, or some funds can become withdrawable, before the paying bank returns the check unpaid. Federal Reserve Regulation CC sets maximum hold periods and funds-availability rules; the timing of availability is not a guarantee that a check has been authenticated or that payment cannot later be reversed. The FTC explains the delay that fake-check scammers exploit.
In practical terms, “posted,” “available” and “verified as genuine” are different things. Do not send money or goods just because your bank has made a deposit available. If someone claims that a check is safe because funds are already in your account, verify independently with the issuer and ask your own bank what to do.
Rank #2
- DEPOSIT ONLY STAMP - This custom stamp is a great way to quickly stamp multiple bank documents with your banking information. Please note that the number of lines available is based on the size selected. We suggest using the first line to say "For Deposit Only."
- COMPLETE CUSTOMIZATION - With 4 sizes and 5 ink colors to choose from, you can create a stamp suitable for any work or bank environment.
- DURABLE & LONG-LASTING - This stamp is designed for thousands of impressions and a lifetime of endless stamping. This stamp uses a refillable, double-sided ink pad that prolongs the life of this stamp.
- CLEAR & CRISP IMPRESSIONS - Each size of this stamp is able to create a clear impression of the information you enter without any worries of smears, smudges, or blotches.
- EASY ALIGNMENT - the clear base of this stamp gives you an idea of where your impression will land before any ink touches the paper, saving both your ink and your document from accidental stamping.
Endorsing a check you intend to deposit
If a check is payable to you and you choose to deposit it, the CFPB explains that writing “for deposit only” when you endorse it is a restrictive endorsement that limits the check to deposit into your account. Follow your bank’s specific instructions for mobile deposits; an endorsement does not verify that the check itself is genuine. See the CFPB’s endorsement guidance.
What to do if you reported or suspect fraud
Stop any transfer or delivery connected to the check and contact your bank as soon as possible, especially if you deposited it or withdrew funds. Keep the check and communications, and follow your bank’s instructions. For suspected fraud involving a check received through the mail, contact the Postal Inspection Service; for an online crime, the FDIC also points consumers to state or local consumer-protection agencies and IC3. Reporting options do not guarantee a particular recovery or legal result; the outcome can depend on the payment method, timing, state law and your account terms.
Rank #3
- CUSTOM STAMP: Personalize up to 3 lines of text within a 0.5” x 1.5” impression area. Whether it’s your return address, contact details, or handy phrases, tailor your stamp to organize documents effortlessly.
- CLEAR & CRISP IMPRESSION: Enjoy superior detail and readability with precision-crafted impressions. Choose from 11 vibrant ink colors and 17 stylish fonts to create a unique stamp for any situation.
- DURABLE & LONG-LASTING: Built with a double-sided ink pad, this stamp ensures tens of thousands of clear impressions. Experience the longest-lasting self-inking stamp on the market!
- CLEAN & EASY: The self-contained inkpad design eliminates mess, making it perfect for repetitive stamping. Enjoy clean and hassle-free use every time.
- FONT SIZE: Please note that font size automatically adjusts based on text length - shorter text appears larger while longer text appears smaller. For larger text, choose fewer words or consider our larger stamp sizes.
What to know about historical scam figures
In a 2020 data spotlight analyzing FTC reports classified as counterfeit-check scams in 2019, the FTC reported that about 50% of people who reported such a scam said they had been offered a job or another way to earn money. That is a historical figure based on reports, not a current prevalence estimate or a measure of the population as a whole.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Clear and Consistent Impressions: Self-inking mechanism provides thousands of clear and consistent impressions without the need for messy ink pads.
- Impression Size: 0.7" x 1.87" (18mm x 48mm)
- Easy to use: Simply press down for a clear and even impression
- Versatile Tool: Suitable for a wide range of uses, such as marking documents, books, invitations, office and more.
- Up to 4 lines of text
Rank #4
- Personalize up to 4 lines of text on this customizable self-inking stamp. Use your stamp for return addresses, custom labels and more.
- Self-inking design allows for quick, repetitive stamping, and a clear mount bottom allows you to accurately line up your impression.
- Re-inkable, replaceable ink pad is available in 11 ink colors: black, red, blue, green, purple, brown, orange, mint, turquoise, pink
- 4 impression sizes available - Small: 9/16"x 1-1/2"- Medium: 11/16"x 1-7/8"- Large: 15/16"x 2-3/8"- Extra Large: 1-1/8"x 2-11/16"
- FONT SIZE: Please note that font size automatically adjusts based on text length - shorter text appears larger while longer text appears smaller. For larger text, choose fewer words or consider our larger stamp sizes.
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