Treasury Check Information System (2024)

FAQs

Is the Treasury check verification system real? ›

Please note TCVS was created as a tool to assist in fraud detection, you still need to verify the security features of a U.S. Treasury Check. Also, while not common, a US Treasury Check can be hand signed as opposed to signed by an automated process.

All U.S. Treasury checks are printed on watermarked paper. The watermark reads “U.S. TREASURY” and can be seen from both the front and back of the check when held up to a light. The watermark is light and cannot be reproduced by a copier.

Ultraviolet (UV) Overprinting: A protective UV pattern is invisible to the naked eye. One option may consist of lines of “FMS” framed by the FMS seal on the left and the U.S. Seal (eagle) on the right. In 2013, a new UV pattern was introduced into the check that says “FISCALSERVICE”.

To do this, you will need to speak with the bank that issued the check via phone or in person. Unfortunately, there is no free way to verify a check online.

Go to the Federal Reserve Bank Services website and search the routing number of the institution issuing the check. If it exists, check the information of the bank against the name and address given to you by the Federal Reserve. If it doesn't match, you likely have a fake check.

Are U.S. Treasury Checks accepted via mobile deposit? No. Checks or items that are drawn or otherwise issued by the U.S Treasury Department are not accepted through mobile deposit. You will need to go to one of our nearest banking center locations to deposit a U.S. Treasury Check.

A U.S. Treasury Check Serial Number is a number up to 8 digits that uniquely identifies a particular U.S. Treasury Check issued under a Disbursing Officer's disbursing symbol.

Over the past eleven weeks, Treasury has sent out nearly 83 million checks for more than $35 billion in tax relief. Treasury will continue to send out checks as extensions or late-filed returns are processed.

A U.S. Treasury Check Symbol Number is a 4-digit number within the range of 1000 and 9998 that uniquely identifies the Disbursing Office/Officer issuing the U.S. Treasury Check.

Taxpayers can check the status of their refund easily and conveniently with the IRS Where's My Refund tool at IRS.gov/refunds. Refund status is available within 24 hours after the taxpayer e-filed their current year return.

How are Treasury checks verified? ›

All U.S. Treasury checks are printed on watermarked paper. When held up to the light, the watermark reads “U.S. Treasury” from both the front and the back. Any check should be suspected as counterfeit if the check has no watermark, or the watermark is visible without holding the check up to light.

Yes, banks always verify checks before cashing. Checks have no intrinsic value, so banks have to check the account numbers to determine if there is money in the account and if the accounts exist.

Yes. Using TCIS adds these benefits: Get Automated Clearing House (ACH) and claims information in one place. Use your web browser to see check and ACH payment information, history of check claims, and images of paid U.S. Treasury checks.

Legitimate checks will usually have at least one rough or perforated edge. One sure-fire way of spotting a fake is to examine its edges. If all four sides are smooth, it was likely not issued by a financial institution. A hallmark of any legitimate check is the logo of the bank where the account is held.

This scam involves the fraudulent use of checks that appear to be issued by the U.S. Treasury. Scammers send counterfeit checks to individuals, claiming that the recipients are entitled to receive a government grant, tax refund, or other payments from the Treasury.

Find out why you received a check from the government

You can look up the authorizing agency directly and contact them to find out why they sent the payment. If you do not know which agency authorized the payment, call the Bureau of the Fiscal Service Call Center at 1-855-868-0151.

TreasuryDirect.gov is the one and only place to buy and redeem U.S. savings bonds and other securities directly from the U.S. Treasury!