How To Verify a Cashier’s Check: Are They Safe? (2024)

How To Verify a Cashier’s Check: Are They Safe? (1)

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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, or when 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.

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. Don’t accept if you suspect a scam.
  2. Examine the cashier’s check and look for red flags like typos.
  3. Visit or call the issuing bank and ask for verification.

Here’s a closer look at the steps you should take to avoid scams involving cashier’s checks.

1. Don’t Accept If You Suspect a Scam

One common cashier’s check scam involves someone overpaying for an online purchase — so if you sell something and receive a cashier’s check for more than the purchase price, don’t accept it.

For example, a buyer based outside the U.S. sends a cashier’s check seemingly from a U.S.-based bank and asks you to refund the overage separately. Federal law requires that funds from a deposited cashier’s check be made available in one business day. By the time the fraudulent check is discovered days or weeks later, the buyer is nowhere to be found. Because you made the deposit, the bank can hold you liable for the funds.

2. Examine the Cashier’s Check

Cashier’s checks often include a distinct feature specific to the bank and often tell you what to look for. If the check states there is a watermark or microprint, look for that on the check. If it’s missing, the check might not be valid.

Typos are another giveaway that a check is phony, as fake cashier’s checks sometimes come from senders overseas.

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

How To Verify a Cashier’s Check: Are They Safe? (5)

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.

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How To Verify a Cashier’s Check: Are They Safe? (8)

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. At a larger bank, cashier’s check verification would follow a set process. There’s no charge to verify a cashier’s check.

If you can’t visit in person to trace a cashier’s check, independently confirm the phone number of the bank as listed on the check, then call the bank and ask to verify the check. All banks require these pieces of information to verify a cashier’s check:

  • Check number
  • Issuance date
  • Payment amount

Are Cashier’s Checks Safe?

Cashier’s checks are considered a safe and secure form of payment from your bank, credit union or other financial institution. Your bank guarantees the payment even for large amounts.

Here are a few key takeaways on cashier’s checks:

  • This type of check means the bank guarantees the amount of the check. This means it won’t bounce or overdraw your funds.
  • There are some banks, such as Wells Fargo and Capital One, where you can order cashier’s checks online.
  • Sending and processing these checks can take a few business days, so keep that in mind if you’re under a time crunch to make a payment.

Final Take To GO

The bottom line is that cashier’s checks are a safe way to send a large amount of money to make a purchase. They remove the middleman as the bank guarantees the payment, so there are fewer risks. That said, make sure you always examine a check when you receive it and take the steps to verify it just to be on the safe side.

FAQ

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding cashier's checks.

  • Can you call a bank to verify a cashier's check?
    • You'll need to call the issuing bank and ask if it will verify the cashier's check over the phone. The bank might require you to take the check to a local branch instead.
  • How do I certify a cashier's check?
    • You cannot certify a cashier's check. Instead, you can obtain a certified check, which requires the bank to verify the customer's signature and verify the funds are in the customer's account by adding a signature, stamp or other identifying mark to the check.
  • Can cashier's checks be fake?
    • Unfortunately, cashier's checks can be fake. It's important to take the necessary steps to verify the check, which include contacting the issuing bank.
  • How long does it take for a bank to verify a cashier's check?
    • The issuing bank should be able to verify a cashier's check within several hours. However, this time frame can vary depending on the bank.

Caitlyn Moorhead and Cynthia Measomcontributed to the reporting for this article.

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

Our in-house research team and on-site financial experts work together to create content that’s accurate, impartial, and up to date. We fact-check every single statistic, quote and fact using trusted primary resources to make sure the information we provide is correct. You can learn more about GOBankingRates’ processes and standards in our editorial policy.

How To Verify a Cashier’s Check: Are They Safe? (2024)

FAQs

How To Verify a Cashier’s Check: Are They Safe? ›

The first step is to verify whether the cashier's check is legitimate or not. You can do this by contacting the issuing bank and confirming the check's authenticity. The bank will be able to tell you whether the check is genuine, the amount of the check, and whether the account has enough funds to cover the check.

How can I verify if a cashier's check is good? ›

Call or visit the branch of the financial institution on which the check is drawn on. The financial institution should be able to help you determine whether or not the check issued is genuine. Don't trust the phone number for the financial institution listed on the check, it might be fraudulent.

Should I worry about a cashier's check? ›

Recipients may prefer cashier's checks because: They're almost equivalent to cash, but the risk of theft is lower because only the payee can deposit a cashier's check. They're guaranteed. Unless a cashier's check is fraudulent, there's almost no risk that it will be declined, or "bounce."

Do cashiers checks clear immediately? ›

Generally, if you make a deposit in person to a bank employee, then the bank must make the funds available by the next business day after the banking day on which the cashier's check is deposited.

How can I protect myself from a cashier's check? ›

Be suspicious of offers from strangers — if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Don't accept international money orders. If someone wants to pay with a cashier's check or money order, consider asking for an alternative form of verified payment such as a wire transfer, an electronic funds transfer, or cash.

How do I make sure my cashier's check isn't fake? ›

A genuine cashier's check will display a legitimate bank name, but many fakes will too. You can tell a check is fake if you can't find legitimate information about the issuing bank online or if the check was mailed from overseas (as is often, but not always, the case).

Can a cashier's check go bad? ›

Cashier's checks are backed by the issuing bank and, theoretically, should be valid for as long as the bank is in operation, but some banks will put expiration dates on the checks themselves. It could be difficult to cash a possibly expired cashier's check or to get a replacement cashier's check.

How does a real cashier's check look? ›

The words "Cashier's Check" are prominently displayed at the top center of the checks. The bank's name is in the upper left corner of the checks along with the bank's telephone number. The check numbers on the legitimate items have six digits beginning with "00."

Why would a cashier's check be declined? ›

As a rule, the only time a bank may refuse to pay its cashier's check is when the bank has its own defense against paying the item and the person attempting to enforce payment is not a holder in due course.

What voids a cashier's check? ›

Theft or fraud are examples of reasons for canceling a cashier's check.

How do you know if a cashier's check has cleared? ›

You can contact the issuing bank to confirm the funds are available and have not been frozen or withdrawn. Monitor your account: After receiving a cashier's check, it is essential to monitor your account to ensure the funds have been deposited.

What is the maximum amount for a cashier's check? ›

Although the policy may change from bank to bank, generally there's no upper limit for a cashier's check. The payee typically has quicker access to a larger amount of the funds with a cashier's check.

Who signs the back of a cashier's check? ›

Yes, the remitter signs the back of a cashier's check. The remitter signs the back of the check before it can be converted into cash. For a cashier's check to be valid, a signature from the issuing agent, such as a teller or its employees from the bank or credit union, signs the check.

How to verify cashier check? ›

Find the phone number independently—if it's a fake, the number on the check will redirect to the scammers. If the bank that issued the cashier's check has a local branch, visit in person to verify the funds and cash it on the spot.

What are the disadvantages of a cashier's check? ›

Risk of fraud is also high with cashier's checks, as counterfeit cashier's checks can be created by scammers. Last, cashier's checks are non-refundable. This means you may not be able to get a refund for the funds used to purchase them.

How to verify a check is real? ›

Inspect every check you receive:
  1. Make sure the check is issued by a legitimate bank and doesn't have a fake bank name. ...
  2. Look for check security features, such as microprinting on the signature line, a security screen on the back of the check, and the words “original document” on the back of the check.
May 9, 2024

How do you check the status of a cashier's check? ›

Contact the issuing bank: Call the bank where the check was issued and ask if they have a way to track the check. Provide the check's serial number or tracking number, if available, and ask if they can tell you if the check has been cashed or deposited.

How can I verify if a check is good online? ›

Use Your Bank's Online Services:

Navigate to the check verification or funds verification section. Enter the required information from the check, such as the account number and check amount.

What happens if a cashier's check is not cashed? ›

A cashier's check will normally be returned to the issuing bank if it is not cashed by the recipient.

Can I deposit a cashier's check into my bank account? ›

Choose the right account: You can deposit a cashier's check into a checking account or savings account. If you don't have an account suitable for the deposit, consider opening an account that aligns with your financial needs. Fill out a deposit slip: If depositing at a bank, you'll need to fill out a deposit slip.

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