 TITLE: How Do Certified Checks Work? CONTENT: How Does a Certified Check Work?\n--------------------------------\nIn many ways, a certified check works like a regular check. You write the check, use it to pay someone else, and the money gets withdrawn from your connected checking account when they deposit it.\nThe difference is a bank or credit union will certify the check after verifying your identity, making sure there's enough money in your account, freezing the funds and then signing or stamping the check to mark that it's certified.\nGenerally, you'll need to visit your bank or credit union branch with your check filled out to get it certified. There also may be a nominal fee, such as $2 to $5, per certification. But call your branch ahead of time to see if it certifies checks and to inquire about fees.\nAlthough a certified check can help protect against fraud and bounced checks, if you're accepting the payment, know that scammers can create fake certified checks that look authentic. Your bank may accept the check and release the funds into your account, but then realize it's a fake and take the money back out of your account. Ultimately, it's your responsibility to make the account whole even if it was an honest mistake and you thought the check was real.\nTo protect yourself from fraud, you may want to avoid accepting certified checks (along with cashier's checks and money orders) and use a well-known online payment or escrow service instead. If you're considering accepting a certified or cashier's check, look up the issuing bank's phone number and call to verify the account and check is legitimate before proceeding. END