Information Sheet
Cheque fraud
Cheque fraud is when someone writes or alters a cheque with the intention of gaining an illicit benefit or cheating someone.
For example:
- Purposely using an NSF cheque or a counterfeit certified cheque
- Passing off a stolen cheque with a forged signature
- Modifying the amount of a cheque
If you are the victim of fraud:
- Immediately alert your financial institution
- Contact the police or go to your neighbourhood police station
- Verify the identity of people you do business with: ask for a photo ID, a personalized cheque, etc.
- Make sure the cheque has not been modified
- Compare the signature on the cheque with the signature on another piece of ID
- Take note of the physical description of the customer on their driver's licence: it should match the customer's appearance
- Phone the customer's home or office to find out whether they're there
- Be careful of certified cheques: check their authenticity with your bank branch
- In case of loss or theft, immediately contact your financial institution to cancel all your cheques
Recent scams and fraud - Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
The Little Black Book of Scams - Competition Bureau
