Read this first. This tool reports public database facts (the Federal Reserve routing directory and the FDIC bank lists). It does not and cannot tell you whether a specific check, money order, or wire is genuine. The only reliable way to verify a specific instrument is to call the issuing bank or money-order company using a phone number you find yourself on their official website — never a number printed on the check or given to you by the person who sent it.
Honest answer: we can't tell you a specific check is genuine — and neither can any other website. But we can resolve the bank behind the routing number, and we can show you the scam pattern that gives almost every fake check away.
Look up a routing number
Enter the 9-digit routing number printed at the bottom-left of the check. We'll resolve it to the real bank in the Federal Reserve directory and flag failed/nonexistent banks.
How fake-check scams work
Real banks make funds available in 1–2 days, but a fake check can take weeks to bounce. By then the scammer is gone — and your bank takes the money back from you.
You're "overpaid" and asked to wire back the difference (overpayment scam).
You're asked to deposit a check and send part via Zelle, gift cards, crypto, or wire — that's the tell.
The check is for a job, prize, rental, mystery-shopper, or online-sale you didn't expect.
There's pressure to act fast before the check "expires".
If any of these match: do not deposit, do not wire anything back, and report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
The 3 checks that actually matter
Does the routing number map to a real, active bank? Use the lookup above. A failed/nonexistent bank is a red flag.
Did the issuing bank confirm the check? Call the bank's number from its official website (not the check) and verify the check number + amount.
Is someone rushing you to send money back or forward funds? That is the scam, full stop. Real payments don't require you to return part of the money.