The new relief law is set to combat the economic crash related to COVID-19, and Americans expect to see stimulus checks in their mail boxes or bank accounts in the coming weeks.
however, because many receive funding from the us. uu. cashiering through checks, there will inevitably be an increase in check scams as scammers hope to make extra money. There are already scammers trying to scam people by sending bad checks as they print and mail checks that look like US checks. uu. treasury.
here are some helpful tips to help you understand what a check scam is and what security features the us government uses. uu. has implemented the treasury so you can easily cash your check.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, a fake check scam is when someone sends you a check for more money than you expected and asks you to pay them back, usually by wire transfer. scammers often explain the overpayment, but entice you to cash the check by avoiding taxes, fees, or the like.
They expect you to deposit the check and transfer the money quickly, too quickly to realize that the check may look strange. By the time the bank finds out the check is bad, the scammer is gone with your money and you have to pay the bank back.
Check scams have been around for a while, however the FTC reports that there has been a steady increase in scams in recent years, especially during tax season or when the government issues checks nationwide.
As you watch out for check scams, the us. uu. hacienda has security features built into your checks to help you figure out if your check is fraudulent or not. here are some things to consider in a u.s. check, so you can tell the difference between a real check and a fake one.
example of us treasury check
microprinting
something to keep in mind in a u.s. Treasury check is microprinting, which is words printed so small they look like a line. however, under a magnifying glass, the line is revealed as tiny text that cannot be duplicated by an ordinary photocopier. when a check is counterfeit, this microprint will appear as a solid line or a series of small dots. microprinting is currently used in three areas: the bottom line above the magnetic ink character recognition (micr) line, the signature line on the back of the check, and on the lady liberty garment.
microprint example
treasure seal
another security feature of a u.s. cashier’s check is the seal. the United States. the treasury has a distinctive seal, declaring the “fiscal services office”. there is also an old stamp that is still in rotation that reads “financial management services”. any other stamp will expose the check as fraudulent.
bleeding ink
united states the treasury also instituted bleeding ink for the treasury seal. When moisture is applied to the stamp, the ink will “bleed” red, proving that it is a genuine US check. uu. treasury.
example of bleeding ink in usa. uu. treasure seal
watermark
Watermarks are another security feature that the us. uu. Treasury employs to ensure that your checks are authentic. the watermark you can look for says “u.s. treasury,” which is visible from the front and back of the check when held up to a light. the transparency of this watermark makes it unplayable by a copier. any check you receive that does not have this distinctive watermark is fraudulent.
example of watermark on treasury checks
ultraviolet overlay
For those who may have a black light, you may find an ultraviolet overprint on the left and right sides of the check. To the right is the united states eagle and to the left are four lines of “fms”, with the fms seal bordering both sides.
ultraviolet overlay example
When trying to figure out if a check is fraudulent, relying on security features should be your first line of defense. These features are in place so you can be sure you’re not depositing the wrong funds into your account.
If you think you have encountered a fraudulent check, please contact us. uu. Treasury Department. remember: the government will never ask you to make a payment in return or send you a check for an amount greater than what you will receive. checks will always come from the united states treasury and no other entity.
blackhawk bank wants you and your family to be safe and secure. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help!
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