#86: part what #85 said is true: if the check contains all the necessary (and valid) information, and is signed, it is considered to be a real check. It doesn't matter if it was printed on a home computer. Think about those checks that you can order from any one of a hundred different places. They're not really special in any way. They don't have to be officially endorsed or authorized by the bank or anything. They just have to have all the right information printed on them. Like you said, you could print checks out on your home computer, but if they have all the right information they would be valid (your checks' recipients might think something is fishy, though). Of course, what could have happened in this FML is that the check contained a fake account number or routing number, which would make the check "fake".

#90, MICR is not required to make a check valid. Some banks may charge a processing fee because their MICR machines can't read it so it must be processed by hand. But with the Check 21 Act checks can be deposited by smartphone apps and websites that cannot determine if there is MICR ink or standard printer ink. I know that anything with valid information that resembles a check is valid. I wanted to send some money anonymously to someone who I trust so I scanned a check, removed my name and address, chanced the check number, scribbled my signature, used photo editing software to fill in the check information, then emailed it to him in an encrypted file. He had absolutely no problems depositing that check that appeared forged and devoid of every security feature. My advice: don't use checks because they are VERY easy to fake. But if you do use checks then at least print them yourself for at least the people who deposit with their smartphones.