Is Your Cashier’s Check Legit? How to Verify Its Validity

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Unlike a personal check, a cashier’s check is a direct obligation of the bank. As a result, there is virtually no risk that it will bounce or otherwise be invalid. Cashier’s checks are commonly used in significant financial transactions for things such as:

• The down payment on a home
• Buying a used car
• Sending a secure payment by mail for other services or goods

Along with certified checks, this type of payment is typically considered as good as cash but much safer.

Read More: 6 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money

How To Verify a Cashier’s Check

You can take precautions to ensure that a cashier’s check is legitimate. To avoid being a fraud victim, follow these steps to verify one:

1. Inspect for Proper Formatting

Make sure the cashier’s check has:

• A watermark
• The correct bank logo
• The correct amount of money

Here’s how a cashier’s check typically looks:

2. Confirm the Bank’s Contact Details

Go online to the bank’s website to look up their contact information. Do not use any information printed on the check.

3. Visit or Call the Bank

Only the bank that issued a cashier’s check can truly verify it. Keep in mind that you can’t verify a cashier’s check online, but other options are available.

If the check is issued from a bank that has a branch near you, there’s no better approach than to take the check into the bank and ask for verification. There’s no charge to verify a cashier’s check.

4. Verify the Check with the Bank

If you can’t visit in person to trace a cashier’s check, get the phone number from the bank’s website – not the check – and call the bank and ask to verify the check. Have this information ready for the bank:

• Check number
• Issuance date
• Payment amount

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Here are some commons signs of a fraudulent cashier’s check:

1. Missing watermarks
2. Spelling errors 
3. Formatting inconsistencies
4. Checks for higher amounts then what was agreed upon
5. Pressure from the sender to cash the check quickly
6. Unusual instructions on how to cash the check

Here are some common scams that use cashier’s checks.

What to Do If You Suspect a Fraudulent Cashier’s Check

If you think you have been given a fraudulent cashier’s check, do not deposit it. Instead contact:

1. The issuing bank
2. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
3. Your state attorney general

Alternatives to Cashier’s Checks for Secure Payments

Cashier’s checks aren’t the only way to send money. You can also use:

• Wire transfers
• Peer to peer payment apps like Venmo, CashApp and Paypal
• Bank transfer apps like Zelle
• Certified checks

However, these methods have also been used for fraud. If you’re sending money to someone, even if you know them, make sure you’re aware of the potential risks of the payment method you’re using.

Caitlyn Moorhead and Cynthia Measom contributed to the reporting for this article.

This article has been updated with additional reporting since its original publication.

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