AhaBulbStuff Everyone Should Know
AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/fake-check-scam

A stranger sends you a check and asks you to send part of the money back. Your bank lets you spend it the next day. What does that mean?

Money showing up in your account does not mean the check is real, and if it bounces, you pay.

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  1. The check cleared, so it's real
  2. Nothing yet. It can turn out fake weeks later, and you'd owe the bank ✔
  3. The bank will cover the loss if the check turns out fake

Why: By law, banks must make deposited money available quickly, before they know if a check is real. A fake check can take weeks to be discovered, and then you have to pay the bank back, including any money you already sent. Never send money back to someone who overpaid you with a check.

Huh, didn't know that: Never send money back to someone who overpaid you with a check.

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How do dinosaurs pay their bills? With Tyrannosaurus checks.
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References

Answer: Nothing yet. It can turn out fake weeks later, and you'd owe the bank. By law, banks must make deposited money available quickly, before they know if a check is real. A fake check can take weeks to be discovered, and then you have to pay the bank back, including any money you already sent. Never send money back to someone who overpaid you with a check.

  1. FTC: How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Fake Check Scams consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2020/02/ftc-bottom-line-fake-checks-scams
    By law, banks have to make deposited funds available quickly.
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  2. FTC: Fake Checks Can Take Weeks To Be Discovered consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2020/02/ftc-bottom-line-fake-checks-scams
    But it may take weeks for your bank to learn the check was bad.
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  3. FTC: Repaying the Bank After a Fake Check consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2020/02/ftc-bottom-line-fake-checks-scams
    By that time, the scammer has the money you sent, and you’re stuck paying the bank back.
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  4. FTC: Avoid Check Overpayment Scams consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2020/02/ftc-bottom-line-fake-checks-scams
    If someone you don’t know sends you a check and asks for money back, that’s a scam.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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