For large or significant payments, consumers and businesses may still prefer the perceived security of paper cashier’s checks or official bank checks, even in today’s digital and mobile environment when electronic money transfers are prevalent.
Unfortunately, thieves have learned to rely on the sense of “security” that cashier’s checks and official bank checks give their victims and can quickly and readily produce fraudulent and difficult-to-detect counterfeit checks, lending validity to their frauds.
Scams where the con artist wants you to cash or deposit the check frequently use fake bank checks.
Before the bank tries to clear or process the deposit, they request that you transfer all or some of the proceeds back to them or another party (an accomplice).
Before the bank attempts to clear or process the check for payment and recognizes the instrument is fraudulent, they request that you give all or part of the money back to them or someone else (an accomplice).
You should be aware of the indications of a counterfeit check to safeguard yourself in case it turns out that the check was fake. If this happens, you could be held liable for the money you gave the con artist.
