The money is in my account. Is it really fake?

Likely yes. Your bank makes funds available within a day or two by law, before the check has truly cleared. A scam check can bounce days or weeks later, and the bank then reverses the deposit. Available is not the same as cleared.

Will I owe the bank money?

You are responsible for any of the deposit you withdrew or sent on. That is why you stop spending it immediately and tell the bank it was a scam right away, which can reduce what you owe and protect your account.

Should I tell my bank, even though I feel embarrassed?

Yes, and soon. Banks deal with fake-check scams constantly. Reporting it quickly is how you limit the damage and start a paper trail. Waiting only makes the position worse.

I deposited a fake check from a job - what do I do now?

A bounced scam check is stressful, but the next few hours matter more than how it happened. Move quickly and you limit the damage.

First, stop

Do not spend any more of the money, and do not send anyone the "difference," a vendor payment, or gift cards. The whole scam depends on you moving real money before the fake check unravels. If you have not sent anything yet, you may avoid a loss entirely.

Then, in order

Call or visit your bank today and tell them the check is part of a scam.
Keep the check, the envelope, every message, and any tracking or payment details.
Report it to the FTC and, since it happened online, the FBI's IC3.
Watch your account for the reversal, and ask your bank what you owe and how to handle it.

Why this works

The check was always going to bounce. By telling the bank early and stopping any outgoing money, you cut your liability to the smallest possible amount and create a record that helps if there is any dispute. Banks see fake-check scams every week, so reporting it is routine for them and gives you a documented timeline. If money has already left your account, ask specifically about recall options and whether a fraud claim can be opened, and write down who you spoke with and when. The faster the bank knows it was a scam, the more it can do. This is the fake-check scam, the same trap behind a job that sends a check to deposit.

What next

If you gave the scammer other details too, work through the broader recovery checklist. To check a future offer before it costs you anything, paste it into the free checker.