Before You Cash That Check™ | Free Check Fraud Red Flags Guide

Would Your Teller Know When to Stop and Take a Second Look?

A check can look routine and still require additional review.

Before You Cash That Check™ is a practical frontline quick-reference guide designed to help bank and credit union employees recognize potential check fraud and scam warning signs — without jumping to conclusions or accusing the customer or member.

Built for real-world teller environments, this guide gives frontline employees a simple framework to follow when something about a check or transaction doesn't look right:

STOP → REVIEW → VERIFY → FOLLOW PROCEDURE → ESCALATE

WHAT'S INSIDE

Physical Check & Document Warning Signs

• Possible alterations and check washing
• Inconsistent check information
• Unusual check stock or security features
• MICR and check-data concerns

Payee, Endorsement & Authority Concerns

• Payee inconsistencies
• Unusual or altered endorsements
• Third-party checks
• Business and fiduciary authority concerns

Transaction & Behavioral Warning Signs

• Pressure to immediately cash a check
• Attempts to bypass verification or holds
• Transactions inconsistent with available information
• Customers who appear coached, pressured, confused, or fearful

Common Check Scam Patterns

• Fake employer checks
• Overpayment scams
• Prize and sweepstakes checks
• Online relationship and romance scams
• Instructions to deposit a check and send money elsewhere

ONE LESSON EVERY FRONTLINE EMPLOYEE SHOULD KNOW

FUNDS AVAILABLE ≠ CHECK PAID

Seeing deposited funds available in an account does not necessarily mean the check has been finally paid or determined to be legitimate.

WHAT SHOULD THE TELLER DO?

The guide reinforces a simple frontline principle:

DON'T ACCUSE. DON'T GUESS. DON'T OVERRIDE CONTROLS.

Employees are reminded to use approved verification procedures, document objective facts, follow institution-specific funds-availability requirements, and escalate concerns to the appropriate resource.

IDEAL FOR

Bank tellers, credit union tellers, universal bankers, branch managers, teller supervisors, new-hire onboarding, fraud-prevention refreshers, branch coaching, and financial-institution training teams.

IMPORTANT

A fraudulent or counterfeit check does not automatically mean the customer or member presenting it committed fraud. They may be the victim of a scam.

2026 Edition • Version 1.0

Created by Jay Get It™ — Practical Banking Training & Compliance Resources

Educational Use Notice: This resource is a general educational aid and does not constitute legal, regulatory, audit, or compliance advice. Financial institutions should use it alongside their own policies, procedures, systems, approval authorities, required training, and applicable law and guidance.