If you receive a check in the mail and are trying to determine whether it is fake, do not rely on whether the word “void” appears on the photocopy to make that decision.

WITN’s Scam Alert reported that a photocopied check with the word “void” on it must be part of a scam. However, bank officials have confirmed that “void” will appear on some legitimate checks, when photocopied. That is to ensure that a person does not try to pass a photocopy of a check off as a real check.

However, fake checks are a real problem. People receive fake checks primarily in advance fee payment scams. Remember, if a letter tells you to deposit a check and then wire some of that money to someone, there’s a good chance that it’s a scam. This happens with fake lotteries or even when you’re selling items online.