How to Tell If That FTC Refund Check Is Real

FTC refund checks are real, but scammers use them as cover

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) does mail refund checks to people harmed by fraud or illegal business practices. Those checks are real. But scammers also send fake checks that look official, and they use the existence of real FTC refunds to make their fakes believable. The difference comes down to a few specific details about how the FTC actually works and what they will never ask you to do.

The FTC never contacts you first to tell you a refund is coming. You do not need to call a number, visit a website, or give anyone information to receive it. If someone reached out to you claiming to represent the FTC and offering a refund, that contact itself is a red flag — it is almost certainly a scam.

Key Takeaways

Real FTC refund checks come in the mail without you having to do anything, and the FTC never calls or emails you first to announce them.
The check will be from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, not from the FTC directly, and will have a case number printed on it.
Scammers send fake checks that look official and then ask you to deposit them and wire money back, or to call a number to "verify" the check.
If you receive a check you did not expect, you can verify it by calling the FTC directly at 1-877-438-4338 or checking reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Depositing a fake check and sending money back makes you responsible for the full amount — the bank will reverse the deposit weeks later and your money will be gone.

What a real FTC refund check looks like

A real FTC refund check comes from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, not from the FTC itself. The check will have "U.S. Department of the Treasury" printed at the top. It will also have a case number printed on the check — this is a specific number tied to the fraud case or settlement the refund comes from.

The check arrives in a plain envelope with no marketing, no instructions to call anyone, and no website to visit. There is nothing asking you to take action. Real FTC refunds straightforward show up in your mailbox because your name was on a list of people harmed in a case the FTC settled or won.

You can verify the check by calling the FTC directly at 1-877-438-4338. Have the case number from the check ready. The FTC will tell you whether that case number is real and whether a refund was issued under it.

How scammers use fake FTC checks

Scammers send checks that look almost identical to real ones — they print "U.S. Department of the Treasury" at the top and add a fake case number. The check amount is usually large enough to seem believable but not so large that it raises when ready suspicion. The scammer is betting you will deposit it without checking.

Once you deposit the check, the scammer calls or texts you. They say they are from the FTC or a bank and claim there is a problem with the check — maybe it was sent to the wrong address, or there is a duplicate, or you need to verify your identity. They ask you to wire money back, buy gift cards, or send cryptocurrency to "resolve" the issue.

You send the money. Days or weeks later, the bank discovers the check is fake and reverses the deposit. But the money you sent is already gone. You are now responsible for the full amount of the fake check, and the scammer has your money.

Red flags that mean the check is a scam

Someone contacted you first. The FTC never calls, emails, or texts to tell you a refund is coming. If anyone reached out to you about an FTC refund before the check arrived, it is a scam.

You are being asked to do something. Real FTC refunds require nothing from you. If the check comes with instructions to call a number, visit a website, deposit it somewhere specific, or provide information, it is fake.

The check arrived after you were contacted about a "settlement" or "lawsuit." Scammers often send a fake check after a phone call or email claiming you won a settlement. Real settlements do not work this way — the FTC handles the money, and checks arrive without warning.

Someone is asking you to send money back or verify the check by phone. This is the clearest sign of a scam. The FTC will never ask you to wire money, buy gift cards, or send cryptocurrency. Banks do not call to verify checks by asking you to send money.

What to do if you receive an unexpected check

Do not deposit it when ready. Instead, call the FTC at 1-877-438-4338 and give them the case number from the check. They will tell you in minutes whether it is real.

You can also visit reportfraud.ftc.gov and search for the case number. Real FTC cases are listed there with details about the settlement and who is receiving refunds.

If the FTC confirms the check is real, you can deposit it normally. If they tell you the case number does not exist or the check is not legitimate, do not deposit it. Report it to your bank and to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

What happens if you already deposited a fake check

Call your bank when ready and tell them the check is fraudulent. Give them the case number and explain that you received it unsolicited. The bank will flag the check and begin an investigation.

If you already sent money to the scammer, report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to your bank's fraud department. Also report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. The money may not be recoverable, but reporting it helps law enforcement track the scammer.

Do not send any more money, even if the scammer contacts you again claiming they can reverse the problem or that you owe additional fees. Every contact after the first is another attempt to take more from you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check if an FTC refund is coming to me?

Yes. Visit reportfraud.ftc.gov and search by case name or number. You can also call 1-877-438-4338. The FTC keeps a public list of settlements and the people who are receiving refunds, but you have to search — they do not announce it to you first.

What if the check has my name spelled wrong?

Call the FTC at 1-877-438-4338 before depositing it. A misspelled name is not automatically a sign of a fake check — the FTC sometimes issues refunds based on old records — but you should verify the case number first.

How long does it take for an FTC refund to arrive after a settlement?

It varies. Some refunds arrive within weeks of a settlement, others take months. The FTC publishes a timeline for each case on reportfraud.ftc.gov. If you are waiting for a refund from a specific case, you can check that page to see the expected date.

What if someone is threatening me to cash a check and send them money?

This is extortion. Do not send money. Report it to the FBI at ic3.gov and to local police. Keep records of every message or call, including the phone number or email address used.

Can I deposit the check at any bank, or does it have to be my bank?

You can deposit it at any bank or credit union where you have an account. The check is from the U.S. Treasury, so any financial institution will accept it if it is real. But verify the case number with the FTC first.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.