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When a check is altered (typically the payment amount or recipient name), it may constitute a form of check fraud and can be financially damaging to its victims. Learn more about this situation, as well as tips for how to spot an altered check.
Key Points
• An altered check is the result of someone altering an original check, such as by changing the amount or name of the payee, which can be a form of bank fraud.
• A suspected altered check should be reported promptly, often within 30 days, though this may vary by bank. The maximum limit an individual may have is up to one year.
• Common signs to look for include whether the number (or last zero) appears to be different ink than was used to write the check, resembles the same handwriting as the rest of the check, or looks like it might cross over a period.
• In addition to personal and business checks, cashier’s checks, traveler’s checks, and money orders may be vulnerable to fraud.
• Other than inspecting any checks you encounter, you can guard against fraud by monitoring your bank accounts regularly, changing your passwords often, and only accessing your online accounts using a secure connection (i.e., not public wifi).
What Is an Altered Check?
An altered check is a paper check that was altered by someone other than the check writer, which can be a kind of bank fraud. Essentially, it occurs when someone writes a check, and another person changes the payee’s name or the amount of the check (often by adding an extra zero at the end of the check amount) in order to commit fraud.
The payer or payee who was defrauded needs to notify the bank promptly — often within 30 days, though this can vary by bank, and in all cases no longer than a year. Also, if a bank has reason to believe a check has been altered fraudulently, it can legally refuse to cash it.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) advises not leaving large spaces in the number and amount lines when writing a check to help avoid fraudulent alterations from occurring.
Altered checks are one of the most common types of check fraud. Other types include forgeries and counterfeit checks.
Liability for Altered Checks
According to the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) — which addresses altered checks in Sections 3-406 and 3-407 — liability for losses may affect multiple parties. These may include:
• The wrongdoer who altered the check (if determined)
• The depository bank that verifies and deposits the check
• The drawee bank that pays the check
• The drawer or account holder
It’s not always easy to verify a check’s legitimacy (you’ll learn more about this below). If you do find evidence of an altered check, you need to report the loss within a reasonable amount of time — often 30 days after the statement date, as mentioned above, with a maximum of up to one year. The longer you take to report the event, the more challenging it may be to reverse the transaction. You may also want to report the event immediately to the authorities. In addition, an investigation may be conducted to help determine liability for the fraudulent check.
Consumers can benefit greatly from examining their bank statements after they write a check to ensure the right amount is processed. They may also want to ask their bank about their policies and the measures taken to help protect bank accounts against fraud.
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Example of an Altered Check
Not sure what an altered check looks like? Here’s an example of an altered check that may make it easier to spot one.
Say a check is made out to a dollar amount of $1,000. Look closely at that payment amount. Ask yourself these questions:
• Does the last zero look like the same type of ink was used to write it, and was it written in the same style of handwriting?
• Does that final zero appear to cross over a period?
It’s much more common to see an altered dollar amount than a changed name because it’s a lot easier to add a zero at the end of a series of numbers than it is to change a name completely.
However, there’s a crime known as check washing in which someone can get a hold of one of your checks and use household chemicals to erase the name and amount. They can then fill in their own name and whatever amount they please.
Recommended: How to Sign Over a Check to Someone Else
Can an Altered Check Be Cashed?
It’s possible to cash an altered check, but fortunately, it’s fairly difficult to pull off these days, thanks to advanced security efforts. Banks take fraud and fraud detection seriously, and are increasingly adopting sophisticated technologies to help prevent fraud.
For example, some banks may use high-tech watermarks or automated detection technologies that audit for discrepancies between the numeric and the written amount or check for font or alignment inconsistencies. Methods such as these can make it more challenging to cash altered checks.
Is It Illegal to Alter a Check?
It’s illegal to alter a check. Penalties may vary by state and may also depend on factors such as the check amount. In many states, altered checks with lower dollar amounts (such as under $500 or $1,000) may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor, while higher amounts may qualify for varying degrees of felony charges, subject to higher potential fines and longer potential prison sentences.
If the offense qualifies as a case of federal bank fraud, such as if the check con crosses state borders, the penalties can be substantial under Title 18 U.S. Code § 1344, including up to 30 years in prison and $1 million in fines.
All forms of check fraud are illegal, including counterfeiting and payroll fraud.
What Types of Checks Are Typically Altered?
Here’s a closer look at the most common types of checks to be altered in addition to basic personal and business checks.
Cashier’s Checks
A cashier’s check functions similarly to a personal check. The main difference between them is that with a cashier’s check, the bank or credit union that issued the check guarantees that it will cash it. Despite the fact that cashier’s checks have added security features, such as watermarks and signatures from two bank employees, they can still fall prey to check fraud.
Traveler’s Checks
A traveler’s check is a paper document someone can use to make purchases while traveling in other countries instead of using a normal check or cash. All traveler’s checks have unique serial numbers that make it possible to get refunds if the checks are lost or stolen. It’s important to be careful when traveling, as criminals look for tourists to steal from. While traveler’s checks may not be as popular as they once were, they’re still used and can be altered if they fall into the wrong hands.
Money Orders
Money orders can be more secure than personal checks, but they can still be altered, so it’s always a good idea to pay close attention to the details. Similar to a cashier’s check, a money order is guaranteed by the issuer of the check, but instead of a bank, this can be the U.S. Postal Service or a retailer.
Tips for Banking Securely
Check out the following tips to protect yourself and your money.
Monitor All Bank Accounts
Keeping an eye on the transaction history of a checking or savings account can help consumers catch fraudulent behavior, such as altered checks, while there’s still time to remedy the situation. It can be wise to monitor your bank account a couple or a few times a week.
Change Passwords Often
It’s generally recommended to change your online banking and other passwords frequently and not to use the same password for multiple accounts to help avoid someone stealing login information and using it to commit financial fraud. Or you may use a reputable password manager to provide an extra layer of security. It’s also helpful to not include personal information (name, birthday, etc.) in a password and to use a mix of upper- and lower-case letters, special characters, and numbers when creating a new password.
Only Access Online Bank Accounts From Secure Locations
You shouldn’t log onto your online bank account when using shared public wifi at your favorite coffee shop or when traveling. It’s best to only ever log into important accounts when using a secure connection, such as at home, so no one can intercept and steal account login information.
Recommended: Cashing a Check Without a Bank Account
The Takeaway
Check fraud is an unfortunate reality, so it’s wise to keep an eye on recent bank transactions to make sure any written checks were cashed for the correct amount. A fraudulent check is a check with altered information on it — such as the amount or payee information.
There are steps individuals can take to protect their financial lives when banking, such as monitoring their accounts, changing passwords regularly, and only accessing their online accounts.
Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.
FAQ
How do you tell if a check is altered?
More often than not, the payment amount is the part of a check that’s fraudulently altered. Check the payment amount closely to see if it looks like an extra zero was added at the end or another number was changed.
How long does a bank have to return an altered check?
If you notice an altered check, ideally, you should report it within 30 days. Consumers are required to report a potential altered check promptly in order to seek recovery for their losses. However, in some cases, consumers may have up to a one year maximum to report the loss to their bank to seek recovery.
What happens if you deposit a fake check without knowing it?
If you deposit a fake check without realizing you’re doing so, the bank that credited the account may choose to later reverse the funds if the check is found to be fraudulent. There’s a possibility you may be liable, depending on the circumstances. This could be the case if there was a delay in reporting a fake or altered check, for example. It’s a good idea to check with a bank on their policies regarding fraudulent checks.
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