COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Scam artists are always looking for ways to rip off businesses and individuals, and trying to pass off a fake check is common scheme.
Katie Carrol with the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado has some tips on how to identify a fake check and protect yourself:
Tip 1. Edges. Legit checks generally have at least one perforated or rough edge.
Tip 2. Bank logo. There should be a logo and it shouldn't be faded.
Tip 3. Bank address. A bank wouldn't use just a P.O. box.
Tip 4. Check number. There should be a check number in the upper right hand corner and it should match the check in the MICR line. The MICR line is at the bottom of the check and has the bank routing number and the check number.
Tip 5. Amount. It's usually less than $5,000 so that the bank sends the "check" through in a few days. Larger checks have a longer holding time.
Tip 6. Paper. Fake checks are usually printed on lighter paper and could feel slippery.
Tip 7. Signature. Does the signature look digitized? Are there numerous up and down strokes? It could indicate the signature was printed from a scanned original or was forged.
Tip 8. MICR line. Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) numbers are read by specialized checking-sorts machines. The ink should look and feel dull, not shiny.
Tip 9. Routing numbers. There should be nine numbers and they identify what bank issued the check. You can verify these numbers by clickingHERE.
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