How to Tell If a Cashier’s Check Is Fake | Spot Red Flags Fast

A cashier’s check can look perfect and still be bogus, so treat it like cash only after the issuing bank confirms it and your bank says it has fully cleared.

Cashier’s checks feel “safer” than personal checks because they’re issued by a bank. That’s exactly why scammers love them. A fake cashier’s check can print clean, include a real bank name, and even show convincing security marks. The trap isn’t the paper. It’s the timing.

Banks may show the money in your account soon after you deposit a check. That’s not the same thing as the check being good. When the check later bounces, the deposit gets reversed. If you already handed over a car title, shipped an item, or sent money back, you’re the one left holding the bag.

This guide walks you through a practical, low-drama way to verify a cashier’s check before you treat it as real money. You’ll get clear warning signs, exact steps to verify with the issuing bank, and what to do if you think you’ve been targeted.

Why Fake Cashier’s Checks Work So Often

Scammers rely on two things most people don’t know: check “availability” is not the same as check “final payment,” and counterfeit checks can take time to get caught. The Federal Trade Commission warns that fake checks can look like cashier’s checks and still be worthless once the bank discovers the fraud. FTC guidance on fake check scams spells out how victims get pressured to act before the fraud shows up.

Another angle: the scammer may push urgency. “Someone else is coming to buy it.” “I need the shipment today.” “My assistant already sent payment.” When speed is the tool, your move is to slow the process down.

How to Tell If a Cashier’s Check Is Fake Using Bank Verification Steps

If you do only one thing, do this: verify the check with the issuing bank using contact details you find yourself. The FDIC points out a common trick—fake checks may print a phone number controlled by the scammer, so you must look up the bank’s number independently and confirm the check is real. FDIC advice on spotting fake checks is blunt about that phone-number bait.

Step 1: Pause The Transaction

Before you deposit anything, set ground rules:

• No shipping items.
• No handing over keys, title, or access codes.
• No refunds, rebates, “overpayment” returns, or gift cards.

If the other person gets edgy when you slow down, that reaction is a signal in itself.

Step 2: Check The Basics On The Paper

Counterfeit cashier’s checks often get the details wrong. Look closely at:

• Payer and payee names: Misspellings, odd spacing, or a payee name that doesn’t match your deal.
• Amount and words: The written amount doesn’t match the numeric amount, or the wording looks off.
• Bank name and address: A real bank name paired with the wrong city, wrong branch info, or a sloppy layout.
• Print quality: Smudged ink, blurry microprint, misaligned borders, or a “too shiny” look from cheap stock.

Be realistic: a skilled fake can still pass a visual test. Paper checks are step zero, not the finish line.

Step 3: Verify With The Issuing Bank The Right Way

Verification means you contact the bank, not the person who handed you the check. Use the bank’s official website or a trusted directory to find the main phone number or a local branch number.

1. Find contact info independently. Don’t use phone numbers printed on the check or in an email from the buyer.
2. Ask for verification details. Tell the bank you received a cashier’s check and want to confirm it was issued by them.
3. Share the check data. Provide the check number, issue date, amount, and the remitter info printed on the check.
4. Ask what they can confirm. Some banks can confirm whether the check number and amount match an issued instrument. Policies vary.
5. Ask about flags. Ask whether the check series has known counterfeits or whether the instrument is reported lost or stolen.

If the bank can’t confirm by phone, ask what verification path they accept. In some cases, a branch visit can help when you’re dealing with a local institution.

Step 4: Deposit With A Clearing Timeline In Mind

Your bank may show funds in your account quickly. That can be normal. It still doesn’t mean the check has fully cleared. You want your bank to tell you when the item is finally paid and can’t be reversed.

When you deposit, ask your bank questions in plain language:

• “When will this deposit be fully cleared and no longer reversible?”
• “Are any of these funds available due to policy, or because the check has actually been paid?”
• “Can you place a longer hold while verification is pending?”

If you’re selling something valuable, treat a cashier’s check like a pending promise until your bank confirms final payment.

Red Flags That Often Show Up In Fake Cashier’s Check Deals

Scams repeat patterns. Once you’ve seen a few, they start to feel familiar. Here are warning signs that show up again and again:

• Overpayment: The buyer “accidentally” sends too much and asks you to send back the difference.
• Third-party pickup: Someone else will pick up the item after you deposit.
• Weird delivery plans: They want you to ship fast, use a specific carrier, or pay a “mover.”
• Pressure: They try to rush you, guilt you, or keep you from calling the bank.
• Odd communication: They avoid phone calls, dodge direct questions, or keep the story fuzzy.

The United States Postal Inspection Service notes that counterfeit checks can be produced with common tech like scanners and commercial printers, so a clean look doesn’t mean it’s safe. USPIS details on check fraud describe how polished these counterfeits can be.

What You Notice	What It Can Mean	What To Do Next
Buyer sends more than the agreed price	Classic fake-check refund setup	Refuse overpayments; insist on reissuing the correct amount
They ask you to pay a mover, shipper, or “agent”	You’re being turned into the payout channel	Say no; you pay only your own costs after final payment
They push you to deposit by mobile and act fast	They want you moving before the bank catches it	Deposit in-branch and ask about full clearing time
The check includes a phone number that “verifies” instantly	Likely a scammer-run line	Look up the bank’s number yourself and call that instead
Bank name is real, but address/branding looks off	Counterfeit using a legitimate bank’s identity	Verify with the issuing bank using official contact info
They want you to release the item once funds are “available”	Availability is being confused with final payment	Wait for your bank to confirm final payment, not availability
They refuse to meet at a bank or won’t use safer payment methods	They’re limiting your ability to verify	Switch to verified methods; walk away if they won’t
The story keeps changing (who they are, where they are, why the rush)	Scripted scam behavior	Stop the deal; don’t deposit; report if you have details

Safer Ways To Accept Big Payments From Strangers

Some transactions are worth extra friction. If you’re selling a car, a high-end phone, a watch, or anything that can’t be “unshipped,” pick a payment path that reduces risk.

Meet At The Buyer’s Bank

If the buyer insists on a cashier’s check, meeting at their bank can cut out a lot of drama. You can watch the check being issued and take it straight to your bank. If the buyer won’t do that, ask yourself why.

Use A Wire Or Real-Time Transfer With Verified Details

Wires and certain real-time transfers can be safer when you confirm the sender identity and see the money settle. Still, fraud exists in every channel, so keep your verification habits tight.

Use An Escrow Service For High-Value Sales

For vehicles or expensive gear shipped across distance, an escrow service can reduce risk if it’s a legitimate provider with clear terms. If someone insists you use a specific escrow site they send you, treat that as a red flag and research the provider on your own.

What To Do If You Think The Cashier’s Check Is Fake

If your gut says something’s off, trust that. Here’s a practical response plan that keeps you protected.

Stop The Deposit And Freeze The Deal

If you haven’t deposited it, don’t. If you already deposited it, call your bank right away and tell them you suspect the check is counterfeit. Ask what steps they can take to flag the item and whether they can place extra holds.

Don’t Send Any Money Back

This is the moment scammers want. They’ll ask you to refund the “extra,” pay the shipper, buy gift cards, or forward money another way. Don’t do it. If the check is fake, that outgoing payment becomes your loss.

Save Evidence

Keep:

• Photos or scans of the check (front and back)
• Envelopes and shipping labels
• Texts, emails, marketplace messages
• Names, phone numbers, and any account info provided

Report It To The Right Places

Reporting helps build cases and can stop repeat offenders. For scams involving checks sent through the mail, the USPS Inspection Service is a direct route. Their page on check fraud also links to reporting paths. USPIS check fraud information is a solid starting point.

If the situation involves mail theft-related check fraud, the FBI has also flagged that trend and points victims toward local law enforcement and the USPS Inspection Service reporting channel. FBI alert on mail theft-related check fraud outlines what to do if you believe you’ve been hit.

Situation	Fast Action	What To Ask Or Record
You haven’t deposited the check	Don’t deposit; verify with issuing bank	Check number, issuing bank contact used, who gave it to you
You deposited, funds show as available	Call your bank right away	Ask when final payment occurs and whether the deposit can reverse
You already released the item	File reports and share evidence	Serial numbers, tracking info, buyer messages, meetup details
You were told to refund an overpayment	Stop all outgoing payments	Record the request, payment method they pushed, names used
The check arrived through the mail	Report suspected mail-related fraud	Envelope, postmark, return address, any tracking labels
It came from an online marketplace buyer	Report inside the platform too	Listing link, username, message thread screenshots

A Practical Screening Routine Before You Treat It Like Cash

If you want a repeatable process you can use every time, run this routine. It keeps the “easy scam” doors closed.

Use A Two-Call Rule

Call the issuing bank using a number you found yourself. Then call your own bank and ask about the clearing timeline after deposit. Two quick calls can save you weeks of stress.

Match The Payment To The Deal Risk

Low-stakes sales might be fine with cash in person at a safe location. High-stakes sales deserve stronger methods: meeting at a bank, escrow, or a verified transfer that fits your comfort level.

Keep Control Of The Pace

Scammers set traps with urgency. You don’t have to play along. If the buyer won’t wait for verification and final payment, you can walk away.

Common Scenarios Where Fake Cashier’s Checks Pop Up

These scams show up in predictable places:

• Online marketplace sales: cars, motorcycles, phones, cameras, consoles, jewelry
• Rental listings: a “tenant” sends a cashier’s check sight unseen, then backs out and asks for a refund
• Job offers: “deposit this check and buy supplies” is a classic setup
• Service providers: a “client” pays by cashier’s check, then asks you to pay a third party

If you’re stuck deciding whether to proceed, keep it simple: verification first, final payment second, handover last. When you keep that order, the scam usually falls apart on its own.

Last Checks Before You Hand Over Anything

Run this short checklist right before you hand over the item:

• You verified the issuing bank using contact info you found yourself.
• Your bank confirmed the deposit has fully cleared, not just posted as available.
• The buyer didn’t push you to refund money, pay a shipper, or rush the handoff.
• You documented the buyer’s identity and saved the message thread.

If any one of those points is missing, pause. A real buyer will wait. A scammer won’t.