These fake checks look so real that even bank tellers may be fooled. Some are counterfeit money orders, some are phony cashiers checks, others look like they are from legitimate business accounts. The companies whose names appear may be real, but someone has dummied up the checks without their knowledge.

Under federal law, banks must make the funds you deposit available quickly – usually within one to five days. But just because you can withdraw the money doesn’t mean the check is good, even if it looks like a cashier’s check or money order from the post office. Forgeries can take weeks to be discovered.

You are responsible for the checks and money orders you deposit. That’s because you are in the best position to determine how risky the transaction is – you are the one dealing directly with the person who is arranging for the payment to be sent to you. When a check or money order bounces, you owe your bank the money you withdrew. The bank may be able to take it from your accounts or sue you to recover it. In some cases, law enforcement authorities could bring charges against the victims because it may look like they were involved in the scam and knew the check or money order was counterfeit.