Cyber Safety · 55 sec
A Deposited Check Can Still Be Fake
Money appearing in your account does not prove a check has cleared.
The useful idea
- Understand
A bank may make deposited funds available before the check is fully verified.
- Connect
A scammer then asks the recipient to return an overpayment or send part of the money elsewhere.
- Apply
When the check is later rejected, the sent money is gone and the account holder may owe the bank.
Why this matters
Temporary availability is not final confirmation that the payment was genuine.
Try this
Never return ‘extra’ money from an unexpected payment.
Test your recall
Which action best applies “A Deposited Check Can Still Be Fake”?
- Stop the conversation and verify the request independently.
- Never return ‘extra’ money from an unexpected payment. — correct
- Use a phishing-resistant security key or FIDO-based sign-in for important accounts when available.
Temporary availability is not final confirmation that the payment was genuine.