How can I check if a certified check is valid before I accept it for a purchase?
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There are two ways to check the validity of a certified check. First, you can take the check to the bank on which the check is drawn and ask if the certification is valid. That may not be possible if the remitter isn't willing to let the check go before getting the purchased goods, and it may not be practical if the bank is distant.
The second option is to call the bank in question and carefully explain that you have what appears to be a certified check on that bank and that you want to verify the validity of the check and certification before accepting it. There is no guarantee that the bank will agree to confirm the check's validity over the telephone, however. You might find it helpful to have access to a fax machine, in case the bank wants to look at a copy before offering a response.
Before making either of those attempts, look at the certification on the check. Either the original account number on the check should have a hole punched through it or there should be a sticker with encoding on it in the account number spot. The name of the certifying bank should appear in the certification stamp and it should be the same as the bank on which the check is drawn.
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There are two ways to check the validity of a certified check. First, you can take the check to the bank on which the check is drawn and ask if the certification is valid. That may not be possible if the remitter isn't willing to let the check go before getting the purchased goods, and it may not be practical if the bank is distant.