Mobile checks allow you to deposit checks into your bank account without visiting a bank branch or ATM. You take a photo of the check and submit it through your bank’s mobile app.

If someone has recently paid you via a mobile deposit check, you might be wondering if there’s a risk of a scam. The short answer is yes. 

This article will help you understand how mobile deposit scams happen and how to spot a mobile deposit fake check.

Are Mobile Checks Safe?

A mobile check deposit is as secure as any other online and mobile banking service. 

All banks and credit unions are required to follow advanced security protocols to protect your information. As long as your financial institution follows these practices, mobile check deposits are protected by standard banking safeguards.

However, the main threats to mobile banking security also apply to mobile deposits. These include phishing, malware, and other common online scams. 

What Is a Mobile Deposit Check Scam?

Most mobile deposit scams involve fraudsters manipulating you into depositing fake checks on their behalf or releasing your bank login information. 

This is how a typical mobile deposit check scam works: 

1. A scammer contacts you through email or social media, pretending to be a potential employer, lender, or interested buyer from a marketplace site
2. They offer you a temporary job, such as mystery shopping or product evaluation, which appears legitimate
3. Once you agree to the job, the scammer sends you a fake check. They may also ask for your bank account information—sometimes even your online or mobile banking login credentials
4. Following the scammer’s instructions, you deposit the check using your bank’s mobile deposit feature
5. Soon after, the scammer asks you to return a portion of the money, claiming it’s an overpayment. They might request a refund through a cashier’s check, wire transfer, or gift cards 
6. Before you realize the check is fake, you repay the scammer. When you try to cash in the check, your bank determines it is fraudulent. The check bounces, and you’re left with a loss

In most cases, scammers will request money through gift cards and use them up as soon as you provide the card numbers. Gift cards are a carefully chosen tactic because they can be used instantly and can’t be refunded or traced. 

The Most Common Mobile Deposit Check Scams

Mobile check scammers have different tactics to manipulate and defraud you. 

Here are some of the most common ones to watch out for: 

• Job/income scams—As explained above, these start with intriguing offers for jobs like online data entry that sound too good to be true. The scammers send a check deposit to your account and ask you to send a portion of the money elsewhere via a money order or wire transfer. The check turns out to be fake, and the scammers disappear 
• Loan scams—These frauds work similarly to job scams. You see an ad for a loan that seems legitimate, but it’s a trap. After you deposit a fraudulent check, you’re left with a financial loss. In some cases, the scammers may ask for your bank details under the guise of verifying your ability to repay the loan
• Fake contests—You receive a phone call, email, or letter saying you’ve won a sweepstakes, lottery, or cash prize. You’re sent a fake mobile deposit check and asked to pay a fee to claim your prize. Sometimes, scammers even capture your account login information under the pretense of making a trial deposit
• Overpayments—Scammers make a purchase from you online and “accidentally” send you a fake deposit check for too much. You’ll be asked to refund the balance, and when you try to cash the check, you’ll discover it’s fake

How To Spot a Fake Check for Mobile Deposit

Since you can’t physically hold the check, you might not be able to identify clues such as stains and discolorations, poor paper quality, or odd magnetic ink character recognition line (MICR).

Still, watch out for the following signs:

1. Missing check number
2. Incorrect routing number
3. No authorized signature or logo
4. Suspicious wording

Missing Check Number

Fake checks have irregularities in their check numbers. Inspect your check for any of these issues: 

• The check number isn’t in sequential order 
• The MICR line doesn’t match the check number 
• The check number isn’t displayed in the top right-hand corner

You should also be wary if the check number is low—most fake checks are written from new checking accounts, so a low check number can be a warning sign. 

Incorrect Routing Number 

Fake checks often have mismatched routing numbers and bank names. 

The routing number is a nine-digit code found at the bottom of the check within the MICR line. To verify it, look up the routing number on the Federal Reserve Bank Services website. 

If the bank name associated with the routing number doesn’t match the one printed on the check, it’s likely fake.

No Authorized Signature or Logo

Every check must have an authorized signature—if this element is missing, the check may be fake.

Legitimate banks also print their logos on the front of their checks. If you notice that the bank’s logo is missing, that could be a sign that the check isn’t genuine.

Suspicious Wording

If you see words like “void” or “non-negotiable” on a check, the check is no longer valid or has restrictions. Depending on the context, these notations can signal that the check is fake.

What To Do if You’ve Been Sent a Fake Mobile Deposit Check

As soon as you realize you’ve been scammed, contact your bank and place a fraud alert. 

Your bank can help you identify if the check is indeed fraudulent. If your timing is right, the bank might also be able to reverse the transaction before it’s too late.

If you haven’t yet made a payment to the scammer, immediately cease all contact with them and don’t reveal any personal information, such as your name and email address. 

You should consider reporting the mobile check scam to the following authorities: 

Organization	Reporting Method
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)	Report fraud on the FTC’s websiteProvide all details about the scam, including screenshots of text messages or emails you received
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)	File a complaint with the IC3 if the scam involved online communication or electronic funds transfers

How To Avoid Falling Victim to Mobile Deposit Check Fraud

To keep yourself safe from mobile deposit check scams, take these precautions: 

• Be skeptical of any checks you receive from unfamiliar sources or in response to a job you didn’t apply for
• Research any job offers or loan applications thoroughly. Verify the legitimacy of the employer or lender before accepting any payments or providing personal information
• Examine all checks for irregularities, such as missing check numbers, mismatched routing numbers, and incorrect signatures
• If a buyer or employer sends you a check for more than the agreed amount, double-check its legitimacy before you refund the difference. Legitimate transactions rarely involve overpayments
• Never share your bank account details or online banking credentials with anyone you don’t know personally

You should also consider signing up for a high-security banking platform like FortKnox for long-lasting protection against check scams and other types of banking fraud. FortKnox by Austin Capital Bank is an online banking platform with a single focus—fraud protection.