Check scams - When can you be sure a check is actually good?

If you are a business owner, it is important to always follow the checks and balances when accepting checks. Before that check hits your account and comes back as “good” or cleared, there are some steps you should take to make sure the check is good. Following these steps will help you know for sure that the check can be processed without any problems.

The first thing to do before depositing a check is request identification from the person who gave it to you. This could be a driver’s license, passport or any other form of photo ID with date of birth visible on it. If you don’t have any way of verifying the validity of the person presenting the check, you should ask them for a photocopy of the identification. When they present you with a photocopy, confirm that this is their true likeness by comparing it with the photograph on their ID.

You should also contact your bank when you get back the check to let them know that the check has been presented and might have been stolen or fraudulently written. This will help make sure that your bank is aware of what is going on in this case so they can properly pursue action if necessary. If there is no way for you to contact your bank, it is still important to notify them as soon as this information comes to light. Doing so will help minimize your risk of liability.

Next, you should examine the check itself to see whether it is authentic. The best way to do this is by examining the hologram or watermark that should be listed at the bottom of the check. If there is no hologram or watermark on the check, this may be a red flag that the check could have been duplicated for fraudulent purposes. You should also make sure that all of these particulars match on both sides of your copy and the original of this check, since if they don’t match it could mean that you are in possession of a fake.

You should also make sure that the name and address on the check are correct. The name and address should match and the last name of the payee must be spelled correctly. If it made mention of something other than this, this could indicate that someone was attempting to cheat people out of their money.

Finally, there are a few additional precautions you can take to protect yourself in these situations. First, you should always ask for your money back as soon as possible if there is no way for you to verify whether a check is good or not. This will help limit any problems that can arise from counterfeit checks and give you time to pursue action in court if necessary.

Second, you can try contacting the person who gave you the check. If it was someone unexpected or someone you have not done business with before, this is a good step to take to help protect yourself. Most thieves will have left their victims behind by this time and you may be able to work things out.

Finally, when possible, try to spend the money from checks as soon as they hit your account. If any has not been spent by the time it clears, cancel it so that no one can use it against you or potentially steal your money. People who plan on stealing will usually drop a check off and then wait until after it clears to go on spending sprees. Doing this will help limit the amount of damage that can be caused.

Although it is important to keep proper records, if you follow these common sense rules, you should be able to avoid any problems from happening. By following these rules when accepting checks, you should have nothing to worry about and will not have any difficulties in the future with your business. Always remember that your safety and security is of the utmost importance and be sure to take all necessary precautions when accepting checks. ~Samuel Hodge is a retired police officer from Virginia who works as an independent crime prevention consultant. For more helpful articles go to http://www.policecrimepreventionandcontrolblog.com/ and check out our United States Crime Prevention Society at www.USCPS.com. Check scams - When can you be sure a check is actually good? Check scams - When can you be sure a check is actually good? Check scams - When can you be sure a check is actually good? Check scams - When can you be sure a check is actually good? Check scams - When can you be sure a check is actually good? Check scams - When can you be sure a check is actually good? Do not send your money to anyone who does not have an address listed on their website. Commercial Checks Give You Lots Of Options To Stop Scammers From Getting Your Money http://www.policecrimepreventionandcontrolblog.com/2012/02/check-sending-commercial.html Do not send your money to anyone who does not have an address listed on their website. Commercial Checks Give You Lots Of Options To Stop Scammers From Getting Your Money http://www.policecrimepreventionandcontrolblog.com/2012/02/check-sending-commercial.html Do not send your money to anyone who does not have an address listed on their website. Commercial Checks Give You Lots Of Options To Stop Scammers From Getting Your Money http://www.policecrimepreventionandcontrolblog.com/2012/02/check-sending-commercial.html Do not send your money to anyone who does not have an address listed on their website. Commercial Checks Give You Lots Of Options To Stop Scammers From Getting Your Money http://www.policecrimepreventionandcontrolblog.com/2012/02/check-sending-commercial.html Do not send your money to anyone who does not have an address listed on their website. Commercial Checks Give You Lots Of Options To Stop Scammers From Getting Your Money http://www.policecrimepreventionandcontrolblog.com/2012/02/check-sending-commercial.html Do not send your money to anyone who does not have an address listed on their website. Commercial Checks Give You Lots Of Options To Stop Scammers From Getting Your Money http://www.policecrimepreventionandcontrolblog.com/2012/02/check-sending-commercial.html Do not send your money to anyone who does not have an address listed on their website. Commercial Checks Give You Lots Of Options To Stop Scammers From Getting Your Money http://www.policecrimepreventionandcontrolblog.com/2012/02/check-sending-commercial.html Do not send your money to anyone who does not have an address listed on their website. Commercial Checks Give You Lots Of Options To Stop Scammers From Getting Your Money http://www.policecrimepreventionandcontrolblog.com/2012/02/check-sending-commercial.html Do not send your money to anyone who does not have an address listed on their website.

Conclusion: You should also make sure that the name and address on the check are correct. The name and address should match and the last name of the payee must be spelled correctly. If it made mention of something other than this, this could indicate that someone was attempting to cheat people out of their money.

Finally, there are a few additional precautions you can take to protect yourself in these situations. First, you should always ask for your money back as soon as possible if there is no way for you to verify whether a check is good or not. This will help limit any problems that can arise from counterfeit checks and give you time to pursue action in court if necessary.